- Conference
- 2007 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 21 September 2006
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the number of unemployed Black disabled people is rising significantly. Indeed, recent figures indicate that Black disabled people are amongst the highest unemployed groups in society. This is unacceptable and discriminatory in a climate that is supposed to be committed to promoting and eliminating unlawful discrimination in the workplace.
With the Agenda for Change (new pay structure) in the National Health Service (NHS) now implemented, it is clear that Black staff consistently fall into the lowest pay band categories. Within the Knowledge and Skills Framework it is often impossible for Black disabled workers to be able to reach a higher point on the scale for a pay increase.
The Disability Equality Duty (DED) made it unlawful for any employer to discriminate from 6th December 2006.
Conference believes many employers are busy drawing up Disability Equality Schemes (DES) and that we need to encourage activists to get involved in this consultation process, in particular disabled activists.
With effective training provided by UNISON to branch officers and disabled employees we believe that both the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and DED 2006 can be used as collective bargaining tools to enhance the employment prospect of all Black members.
Conference asks that the National Black Members’ Committee (NBMC) seek to:
1.conduct an audit to identify a true figure of the number of Black disabled members in UNISON;
2.encourage branches to raise awareness and disseminate information regarding the DES and to take up the DES training that is offered to branches and regions;
3.Liaise with the National Executive Council (NEC), National Disabled Members’ Committee and Service Group Executives to raise the issue of high unemployment of Black disabled workers through the Trades Union Congress.