Black members in UNISON’s Eastern region have pledged to do all they can to support recruitment after a workshop on one-to-one recruitment at their last meeting.
“Recruitment isn’t just the responsibility of branch officers, reps and UNISON staff,” said Eastern region Black members co-chair Winston Dorsett. “All members should be speaking to colleagues and friends about why they should join UNISON.
“The workshop was really good, because it provided the opportunity for those present to talk about their anxieties and nervousness about having recruitment conversations,” he added.
“Some of those present had only just become involved in UNISON and others have been active for years, but we were all able to learn from each other and grow in confidence.”
Co-chair Asha Wolfe-Robinson said: “Black members have the same concerns as any other member about jobs, fair pay and conditions of service, promotion and progression.
“But our experience of the workplace is also too often marked by racism and discrimination. All workers are better off in a union, but this is particularly true for Black workers.
“By joining UNISON, Black workers become part of a massive organisation that has a proud track record of tackling racism in the public services.”
