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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

THE BLACK VOTE IN 2015

Conference, too often the colour of your skin can determine your life chances. Black communities must reject the economic policies and inequality crippling their basic human rights. The Black vote must be used as a force to demand that the next elected Government addresses persistent race inequality across the UK. It is important to understand […]

STOP THE VIOLENCE AND KILLING OF INNOCENT BLACK WOMEN AND BLACK MEN

Conference condemns the violence perpetrated against innocent Black women and men in the name of so called Honour killing. According to the United Nations, 5,000 women are murdered by family members in honour killings every year, 1000 in India, 1000 in Pakistan and 12 in the UK. On 27th May 2014, 25 year old Farzana […]

JOINT ENTERPRISE LAW: NOT GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION

The legal doctrine of “joint enterprise” or “common design” imposes criminal liability on all the participants in a criminal activity for all the consequences of that activity. This doctrine has formed part of the UK criminal law for over 300 years but was rarely used until the start of the 21st century. In the last […]

REMEMBERING THE BRISTOL BUS BOYCOTT

Conference notes that it has been over 50 years since the Bristol bus boycott in 1963. Paul Stephenson was the spokesman for the group who wished to highlight the colour bar for Black workers to be employed as conductors and drivers on Bristol buses. This boycott was credited in leading to the Race Relations Act […]

SUPPORTING BLACK OFFICERS TO ACHIEVE PROMOTION

It is an accepted fact that the makeup of a government institution should be reflective of the local demography of the area in which it is located. For many years this has been an aspiration. Recently, most have made tremendous strides to address this situation. Unfortunately what this has resulted in is a skewed workforce. […]

MOTION ON EQUALITY FACILITY TIME FOR BLACK MEMBERS

At the Discrimination Law Conference in January 2014 Professor Sir Bob Hepple QC said that “if a new government enacts only one new piece of equality legislation it should be to require equality representatives at workplaces” – such reps would require a legal right to time off to “be involved in drawing up and enforcing […]