- Conference
- 2009 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 12 September 2008
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The trade union has had a long and historic link with the Labour Party. The current government has lost its way, it is no longer a party for the working class and the vulnerable within our society, also it creates a disillusion and disappointment amongst our Black people in society, a large percentage of our brothers and sisters within the workplace still earn less pay than their white colleagues for doing the same job and others still find themselves in the lowest paid brackets throughout the workforce in the UK.
The announcement by Mr Alistair Darling the Chancellor, informing the TUC any pay increases should be limited to 2% is offensive and distasteful and an utter disgrace considering the pass pay deals given to members of parliament since the Labour Government has come to power.
This government has created more conflict in Black communities with changes in the law on controversial issues such as the stop and search law. It was this activity against the Black community that so incensed our young people of the late seventies and early eighties that we took to the streets, again these communities have become the target of the government complacency in their inability to deliver programs of developing and nurturing our young people of today.
This government has introduced stealth taxes to prop up the illegal occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving the education system without the funding to tackle the real issues of gun and knife crimes within our society.
The introduction of the new terror law impinges on our human rights. How can this government detain Black people without evidence or a fair trial while the Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Ian Blair Is left unaccountable for the murder of Jean Charles De Menezes who was shot seven times in the head after being mistaken for a wanted terror suspect.
The immigration law and the media stereotypical hype towards immigrants gives fuel to the BNP cause to attack these new groups of people, this spreads disillusionment on the issue of fighting against the BNP we commend our union on the successful campaigns and the National Black Members’ Committee (NBMC) for its continued work on this issue.
We must consider the current high utility price increases which affect all, but Black people have to work more than one job not as an option but out of necessity for survival.
Never forget the murder of Stephen Lawrence stabbed by racist thugs whatever happened to all those recommendations.
The outlined situation is not only unacceptable but we as Black members and our communities must now stand together and organise ourselves to campaign against these flawed policies that affect our communities well being and progression in our everyday life.
Conference instructs
1.NBMC and the National Executive Council (NEC) to support campaign groups and organisations at rallies against Stop and Search laws and anti terror laws;
2.NBMC to communicate to regional Black members committees and branch self organised groups for their direct involvement in the campaigns and rallies;
3.NBMC to set an immediate meeting with the NEC to seek support, funding and promotion of such activities;
4.NBMC to continue the campaigns against the BNP.