Page 4 - In Force Sring 2018

‘Racism is not history’

National Black Members’ Conference
report by Nad Ikram, Leicestershire
UNISON, black members’ officer

This year’s National Black Members’
Conference was held at the BT Centre,
Liverpool from Friday 19 to Sunday 21
January with delegates being warmly
welcomed by City Councillor Malcolm
Kennedy, the Mayor of Liverpool, who
received a loud cheer after holding up his
own UNISON membership card.
Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary,
set the scene for the conference, delivering
an engaged speech to delegates and saying
“650 UNISON members, biggest gathering
of black trade unionists in the whole of
Europe”. He went on to say that venture
capitalists were feasting on the bones of Dave Prentis, general secretary, addresses conference.
austerity and that is why UNISON stands
“shoulder to shoulder with Jeremy Corbyn’s make a difference, it’s not easy,” she told the amended act. Yet many black workers
commitment to bring public service delegates, “But the union helped me to be are asking not how far we have come since
contracts back in-house where they able to achieve what I have.” then but how many gains have been
belong”. Motions reversed in recent years.
Mr Prentis was speaking at the end of a As always, the conference agenda was busy, Listening to delegates, there were
week which saw the private construction some of the key motions were: mixed opinions, with some reflecting on
and services company Carillion collapse and Motion 4 - Race Equality Act – How far Brexit and the 2017 General Election with
told delegates it “should never have been have we come since 1968? its increasingly toxic debate around
privatised – we’ve always warned of this”. On 8 December 1965, the first Race migration and race creating an even more
The general secretary also spoke about Relations Act came into force in Britain. hostile environment for migrant and black
the union’s successes. “We have recruited Prior to this, it was legal to discriminate workers.
160,000 new members, more members in against people because of the colour of Black people have contributed positively
one year than most unions have their skin, and this act was the first in many to British society and supported the public
membership in total, I am so proud of our equality laws to promote non- sector. The Equality Act 2010 legislation
union. We are not just the biggest union in discrimination and equality. The act was was created to ensure equal treatment in
the country but by far the best union. A amended in 1968. This year is special access to employment as well as private
member-led union with members at its because it marks the 50th anniversary of and public services regardless of age,
heart.” disability, gender re-assignment, marriage
Listening to Mr Prentis, it was clear that or civil partnership, maternity or pregnancy,
the hard work done by stewards, reps and race, religion or belief, sex and sexual
branch officials has strengthened our orientation, now known as protected
bargaining power. This does not mean we characteristics.
stop here, it is essential that recruitment The Equality Act is significant progress
and retention remains a priority. but there are still challenges and UNISON
Inspiring speaker continues to defend black workers’ rights
Former UNSION president Eleanor Smith, and resist further erosion of legal rights.
now the Labour MP for Wolverhampton Motion 12 - Career progression of black
South West, addressed conference on the workers
second day. She started by saying that Conference believed that the level of career
without the union’s help and support, she progression of black workers is very low in
would not be where she is today. the majority of workplaces and is imperative
Ms Smith gave an inspirational speech to that this is addressed. However, delegates
delegates and mapped out a brief history of spoke about how there were still barriers
her career from being a nurse to achieving preventing and accessing career progression.
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her goal in becoming an MP. Ms Smith said: The Equality Act 2010 states that we should
“Under the umbrella of the union, you can Eleanor Smith. have equal opportunities for all.