Last weekend, members and activists from across the UK met in Brighton for UNISON’s national Black members conference.
The conference, which was originally meant to be held in January but was postponed after a burst water main shut down most of the hotels in Llandudno, was hosted in the Brighton sunshine. Delegates heard from a range of speakers including Kim Johnson MP and mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Mohammed Asaduzzaman.
On day one, the first motion to pass was on the importance of activism in fighting racism. A delegate from Northern Ireland spoke powerfully about the experience of migrant workers hounded out of their homes in County Antrim, and movingly about the death of another innocent migrant worker from a heart attack as a far-right mob rampaged through the streets of Belfast in August 2024 chanting anti-immigrant slogans. She also, however, highlighted how the trade unions and local working class mobilised in response to demonstrate against racism.
On day two, Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside and longstanding Black activist in UNISON, delivered a stirring address to delegates.
Ms Johnson talked about cutting her political teeth in UNISON, how she never expected to end up in Parliament but was compelled by the years of austerity, first under the coalition, and then Tory governments to stand for election.
Ms Johnson spoke about child poverty in Liverpool and her disappointment about the Labour government’s refusal to end the two-child benefits limit. In her view, this failure together with the decisions to withdraw the winter fuel allowance, not to pay compensation to WASPI women and cuts to PIP and disability benefit, have all contributed to the rise in the far-right and Reform. Her concluding message was that Labour needed to challenge pay disparities for Black people and maintain, not cut, public services.
Exploitation of migrant workers
The second day of conference also saw delegates debate and pass motions on Long Covid and wellbeing, young Black workers and mental health, support for Black disabled workers and migrant workers who are caught in exploitative conditions under the current visa sponsorship scheme.
Introducing the motion on young Black workers and mental health, young members’ delegate Terdai Kufa from Lincolnshire Health branch spoke to the experiences of young Black people in the workplace, who are unsupported by older, more senior co-workers and often feel isolated and alone due to racism. They explained how this can lead to mental health issues, not wanting to attend work and, in the worst case suicide. The motion, which passed, committed the union to support young Black workers and generate bargaining guidance on their specific mental health issues.
One of the most moving debates was on the exploitation of migrant workers. Moved by Rugare Kudya from the Northern Region, the motion called on the national black members committee (NBMC) to work with the union’s NEC to identify ways in which branches can increase their support for carers under certificates of sponsorship. It also pushed for branches to encourage migrant workers to join UNISON’s migrant worker network. Members spoke movingly of their own dreadful and harrowing experiences.
An amendment to the motion called on the NEC and Labour Link to request that the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority provide data on which employers have exploited migrants workers and ensure that they robustly apply their powers under PACE 1984 (Police & Criminal Evidence Act) to investigate serious abuse of the licensing scheme to ensure prosecution of those unscrupulous employers. The amended motion was passed.
Race discrimination inquiry
Margaret Greer, UNISON’s national officer for race equality also presented the findings of UNISON’s race discrimination inquiry, which was set up against the background of increasing numbers of complaints about racism at work to examine UNISON’s strategy to address workplace racism.
The inquiry team, led by senior members of the NBMC, conducted confidential sessions to hear from individual members about their experiences from February to April 2024. Findings and recommendations include trainings for activists and staff, legal access and advice, changes to UNISON’s complaints procedure, and UNISON as an effective organising union.
Margaret set out a strong commitment on the part of UNISON to change, carrying forward the momentum of the year of black workers campaign in 2023.
On the final day of conference, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea gave a speech to delegates, which highlighted the union’s work fighting Reform, standing up for migrant workers and battling race discrimination.
The article Working to improve the lives of Black members first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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