Recruiting and organising Black members in the fragmented workforce

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Conference
2020 Community Conference and Seminar
Date
5 November 2019
Decision
Carried

The National Black Members Committee welcomes the work that the Community Service Group Executive has been doing over the past year in building and strengthening Black community links. The development of racism within the workplace survey will help explore effective ways of dealing with race discrimination in the workplace going forward.

We thank conference for recognising the significance in retaining and supporting Black members and self-organisation within the sector.

It is however, important that Black workers and members are equipped for the challenges within the changing and evolving landscape of the UK today, especially in the Community sector.

Conference recognises that the Black workers left behind after restructures are now likely to be working in more isolated workplaces, under increased pressure and with fewer resources making them even more susceptible to unfair and unequal treatment.

Conference believes that recruitment is more than just handing out leaflets. Branches need assistance to reach out to Black workers and members in the fragmented workforce to engage members and encourage activism. They will need continued support, bespoke training and mentoring.

We also recognise that some employers in the community sector may not recognise trade unions, and therefore members do not get paid time off to attend training to become workplace representatives or health and safety reps, which makes it harder for members to get support.

Conference calls on the Community Service Group Executive to work with the National Black Members Committee to:

1. Consider ways to support Black members who wish to become workplace representatives but are unable to access paid time from their employer.

2. Explore effective and clear pathways which will assist Black members developing as activists, with specific training targeted towards them in the fragmented workforce.

3. Develop information and resources targeted at Black members and workers in the community sector to assist with this recruitment drive.