- Conference
- 2010 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 7 August 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Conference welcomes the launch of the UNISON Million Voices campaign which aims to encourage public service workers and public service users to speak up for public services as the essential foundation of a strong economy and a fair society.
Conference notes with concern the severe negative impact of the economic crisis upon Black workers and communities. Black workers still face significant disadvantage and discrimination in the labour market, despite progress made in recent years towards closing the gap with other workers. This leaves them at greater risk of exploitation, unemployment and poverty during recessions.
In June this year, the International Labour Organisation unemployment rate for Black people stood at 12.9 per cent, significantly more than the national average, 7.7%. Nearly half of all Black children live in poverty, a figure which is likely to increase as the impact of the recession is felt.
Conference is also concerned that widely predicted cuts in spending on public services will have a particularly severe impact upon Black communities, because a high proportion are employed in public services, and because public services are so critical to combating exclusion, extending opportunities and building community cohesion. Conference recognises the importance therefore of the current public sector race duty, and welcomes the potential introduction of a socio-economic duty on public bodies in the Equality Bill.
Conference is particularly concerned that times of economic insecurity and anxiety can foster increasing racism and xenophobia in society, and notes with dismay the attempts of the far right to capitalise upon such fears. In the face of this danger it is even more important that the trade union movement promotes and organises around a positive agenda for economic recovery and social justice around which all workers can unite.
Conference calls on the National Black Members’ Committee to:
1.Work with the National Executive Council (NEC) to ensure maximum engagement and participation of Black members and Black communities in the Million Voices campaign;
2.Liaise with the Policy Development and Campaigns Committee to ensure that issues affecting Black members and in particular the importance of combating racism and discrimination remain central themes of the campaign;
3.Work with UNISON’s policy, communication and education departments and the General Political Fund and Labour Link Committees to ensure that Black members are given the information and support they need to ensure their voice is heard in the coming general election.