January normally sees more than 700 Black members from all over the UK joining us at the National Black Members’ Conference. In place of conference this year, we hosted a wealth of speakers and showcased campaigns and guidance at our virtual webinar series – Black Members Live!
The newly elected General Secretary, Christina McAnea, gave the opening address of the event, leading with a tribute to all workers. Christina thanked the National Black Members’ Committee, regional committees and staff for the support given to members during the pandemic.
Dr Gwenetta Curry, Lecturer of Race, Ethnicity, and Health at the University of Edinburgh gave a presentation on the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black communities. Dr Curry discussed the impact of race discrimination on health and how race equality moving forward should involve an increase of resources for Black communities (education, income equality), as well as the implementation of policies to ensure Black workers have equal access to furlough and paid time off.
Members submitted questions in advance of the series, and many centred on the support available for Black workers during the pandemic and the development of Black activists within UNISON. Our panellists discussed the vaccine uptake, the need for solidarity and allyship across the equality strands, as well as the drive to recruit and organise young Black members.
The health team’s Race for Equality Campaign was a big hit in the Tackling Racism in the Workplace session. Marcia Dawkins discussed how her branch was able to use the information to improve the experiences of Black staff.
Alvin Carpio, founder of End the Virus of Racism, joined us to discuss the rise in hate crime towards people of East and Southeast Asian heritage during the pandemic.
Having spent over a decade working on issues of social justice, human rights and public policy, Alvin has bought together people from a variety of working sectors and communities to call for zero tolerance.
Find out more about End the Virus of Racism and support this campaign.
“Be where the members are”
UNISON members Ash Silverstone and Funmi Ayeni bought a refreshing view to our recruitment and organising session. Both recent young members, they discussed the benefits of using virtual platforms when organising as well as the need for transparency to get members active. “Be where the members are” Ash said. “Use different methods to communicate. People aren’t going to want to get involved if they don’t know what is expected of them – not everyone is going to read a report to find out”.
The local government team introduced the Empowering Young Black People Through Mentoring initiative. Members at this session were eager to find out more about mentoring and to use their experience within the union to help recruit and support young Black Members.
If Black Members Live! inspired you to get active, let us know.