Conference

2020 National Black Members' Conference

Date

13 September 2019

Decision

Carried as Amended

Once again this year, one of the most useful tools to attract migrant workers has been our immigration advice clinics. On top of the JCWI helpline, accessible through UNISON direct, we have a monthly face to face clinic with a solicitor in Northern Ireland. This continues to be a fantastic resource that has allowed us not only to recruit new members, but also have relevant up to date information to organise around immigration issues.

With the Brexit deadline looming, more members attended our clinics than ever, typically Black European members or non European family members who had relied on their European partner for status. The recent leaked document about the end of free movement by the end of October for current EU migrants which is unlawful and the subsequent Home Secretary�s u-turn clarifications indicates that hostile environments against migrants will continue, whether you are EEA or non-EEA nationals.

We are concerned that, with the hostile environment kicking in for an even larger pool of members, we will not be prepared to help our members who not only will need immigration advice but also representation.

Employers questioning people�s status is not a new phenomenon. We have come across many cases in the past of employers dismissing members simply because they cannot produce the piece of paper that employer requires to prove their right to work. In these cases we were left in a limbo where our advice clinic is no longer sufficient and representation cannot be obtained through legal services because of the immigration dimension.

Once again, Conference calls on the National Black Members Committee to use their influence with all UNISON structures to give access to not only immigration advice but also immigration representation to its members when employment and immigration are linked.

Conference

2020 National Black Members' Conference

Date

13 September 2019

Decision

Carried as Amended

Once again this year, one of the most useful tools to attract migrant workers has been our immigration advice clinics. On top of the JCWI helpline, accessible through UNISON direct, we have a monthly face to face clinic with a solicitor in Northern Ireland. This continues to be a fantastic resource that has allowed us not only to recruit new members, but also have relevant up to date information to organise around immigration issues.

With the Brexit deadline looming, more members attended our clinics than ever, typically Black European members or non European family members who had relied on their European partner for status. The recent leaked document about the end of free movement by the end of October for current EU migrants which is unlawful and the subsequent Home Secretary�s u-turn clarifications indicates that hostile environments against migrants will continue, whether you are EEA or non-EEA nationals.

We are concerned that, with the hostile environment kicking in for an even larger pool of members, we will not be prepared to help our members who not only will need immigration advice but also representation.

Employers questioning people�s status is not a new phenomenon. We have come across many cases in the past of employers dismissing members simply because they cannot produce the piece of paper that employer requires to prove their right to work. In these cases we were left in a limbo where our advice clinic is no longer sufficient and representation cannot be obtained through legal services because of the immigration dimension.

Once again, Conference calls on the National Black Members Committee to use their influence with all UNISON structures to give access to not only immigration advice but also immigration representation to its members when employment and immigration are linked.

Conference

2020 National Black Members' Conference

Date

13 September 2019

Decision

Carried as Amended

Once again this year, one of the most useful tools to attract migrant workers has been our immigration advice clinics. On top of the JCWI helpline, accessible through UNISON direct, we have a monthly face to face clinic with a solicitor in Northern Ireland. This continues to be a fantastic resource that has allowed us not only to recruit new members, but also have relevant up to date information to organise around immigration issues.

With the Brexit deadline looming, more members attended our clinics than ever, typically Black European members or non European family members who had relied on their European partner for status. The recent leaked document about the end of free movement by the end of October for current EU migrants which is unlawful and the subsequent Home Secretary�s u-turn clarifications indicates that hostile environments against migrants will continue, whether you are EEA or non-EEA nationals.

We are concerned that, with the hostile environment kicking in for an even larger pool of members, we will not be prepared to help our members who not only will need immigration advice but also representation.

Employers questioning people�s status is not a new phenomenon. We have come across many cases in the past of employers dismissing members simply because they cannot produce the piece of paper that employer requires to prove their right to work. In these cases we were left in a limbo where our advice clinic is no longer sufficient and representation cannot be obtained through legal services because of the immigration dimension.

Once again, Conference calls on the National Black Members Committee to use their influence with all UNISON structures to give access to not only immigration advice but also immigration representation to its members when employment and immigration are linked.