ROTHERHAM

Conference is appalled at the cases of grooming and sexual abuse in Rotherham. While we do not know the true scale the independent enquiry into Child sexual exploitation in Rotherham led by Alexis Jay gives a conservative estimate involving approximately 1400 children, adding: “It is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that […]

BLACK LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS

Conferences is concerned to hear that homosexuality is criminalised in 76 countries in the world, including 40 African countries, and society persecutes and discriminates against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans (LGBT) people in even more countries. In July 2011 it was reported that the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma had spoken out against discrimination towards […]

DEFINING BLACK

Conference, despite the work done by the National Black Members’ Committee in producing a definition of ‘Black’ in UNISON in 2013 there continues to be questions about using ‘Black’ when addressing Black members. We have also found that branches and Regions in the union continue to use other definitions when describing ‘Black’ members, such as […]

POLITICS AND BLACK COMMUNITIES

Black communities must reject the economic policies of the coalition government. Austerity cuts continue to significantly impact on Black people and we cannot sit back and see our basic human rights eroded due to the colour of our skin. Conference, too often the colour of your skin determines your life chances and Black communities continue […]

UNDERSTANDING UKIP’S DAMAGING POLICIES

Conference notes with concern the rise in support for UKIP, especially in the lead up to the 2014 Local and European Elections, the Newark by-election and now in the lead up to the 2015 General Election. Conference we have all heard UKIP’s hostile immigration, xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic and Islamophobic views. We further note that […]

ENCOURAGING BLACK WOMEN MEMBERS IN BRANCH

Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world”. However, Conference is disappointed to hear that many Black women members and activists are not taking up the opportunity to attend UNISON training courses. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that there are two reasons for this. Firstly, it […]

YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE IN CARE

Conference notes the research commissioned by the Rowntree Foundation (Black Youth on the Margins, Ravinder Barn) published in 2001. This report noted that about 50,000 children and young people were looked after by local authorities in England in 2000. However there was no ethnic monitoring of those young people at this point. However in a […]

BLACK WOMEN AND FIBROIDS

Conference, fibroids are small benign tumours that grow on the walls of the womb, inside and out, and can range from a single growth to multiple. For most women they give no cause for concern and grow unnoticed. But for others, the genetic disorder can mean heavy and painful periods and lead to fatigue and […]

MAKING SENSE OF DIGNITY IN THE WORK PLACE FOR BLACK WORKERS

Conference notes that many employers have in place Dignity at Work or Anti Bullying and Harassment policies. These policies are intended to allow all employees to work in a respectful and dignified environment where we can and should feel valued and respected. Many local authorities have put in place a Dignity at Work policy which […]

THE PERSECUTION OF THE ROHINGYA MUSLIMS IN BURMA

Official figures state that in the majority Buddhist country of Burma only 4% are Rohingya Muslims, a heavily persecuted group denied citizenship by the Government of Burma. For the last two years as the country of Burma has taken steps towards democracy, it has become an ever dangerous place to be a Muslim. The persecution […]

NELSON MANDELA AWARD

Conference each of us knows who Nelson Mandela was, we know of his achievements in setting his people free, his dignity in forgiving those who imprisoned him, we all remember the sadness at his passing just over a year ago. Many members will be aware that Nelson was an honorary member of our great union, […]

DISMANTLING THE WELFARE STATE – IMPACT ON BLACK COMMUNITIES

This Conference recognises that we are all aware of the impact that the vast changes to the Welfare State have had on our friends, families and communities. A Coalition government determined to bring down the countries deficit and determined to make the poorest and most vulnerable pay, despite the fact that the lack of financial […]

BLACK COMMUNITIES AND THE GENERAL ELECTIONS 2015

With the General Election less than 3 months away, never has it been more important for Black people and their communities to understand the importance of their political voice and participation over the next coming months and years. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics, does not mean that politics won’t take […]

CARE WORKERS – PROMOTE THE NEED TO RECORD VIOLENT INCIDENTS

There is a high proportion of Black workers in the care and support sector. Black workers disproportionately face job losses, downgrading and cuts in hours. In addition to this, care workers working with individuals with learning difficulties and dementia are at a higher risk of suffering from violence and abuse at work. Some of whom […]

MOBILISING THE BLACK VOTE

Conference notes that on 7 May 2015 a new government will be elected in Westminster. Whatever its political make-up, there will be repercussions for Black communities Many Black workers, particularly disabled, LGBT and low paid Black workers, don’t vote because they don’t believe it will change anything. Some have cast their votes for the United […]