Received from: NASUWT, Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Motions 32 and amendment, 33 and amendment, and 34
Congress notes that the TUC’s Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) has provided a crucial opportunity to create lasting change across our movement.
Congress believes that the TUC has a vital role in supporting and encouraging unions to develop and continue their own work on racial justice, including through offering practical guidance and advice. Creating lasting change takes time and it is likely that this support will need to be in place for several years.
The ARTF has amplified our capacity to secure racial justice and set in motion a process which can deliver meaningful and long-lasting change within our own unions and across wider society.
Congress further notes the work of affiliates to engage with employers in the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.
Examples of this include:
i. the creation of Black members networks in unions
ii. the appointment of anti-racism representatives in all branches of a union
iii. the launch of anti-racism roadshows across regional or bargaining networks with input from senior management to explain the actions they are taking in the fight against racism at the workplace
iv. the creation of joint race action plans with employers
v. joint race surveys across staffing groups to inform joint initiatives to tackle racism.
Congress agrees that any further work identified by the ARTF in its report to Congress can be enhanced by more affiliates seeking to adopt and benchmark the above initiatives in their engagement with senior leaders across the public and private sectors.
Congress strongly asserts that as Black workers and their communities continue to face extensive racial disparities and a hostile government that fails to recognise the systemic and institutionalised nature of racial injustices, the trade union movement must take urgent action. Congress, in particular, applauds the legal challenge against the Tories’ racist Rwanda deportation scheme.
Many unions have already commenced change projects based on the work of the ARTF. It is vital that this work becomes deeply rooted and is taken up widely across the movement.
Congress recognises that it is essential that this process continues beyond the life of the taskforce. There is too much at stake for us to fail Black workers now.
Therefore, Congress encourages affiliates to build anti-racism frameworks and membership engagement programmes while working within trade union structures and empowering communities, to build opportunities for leadership and representation and to develop education around the intersectionality between race and class.
Mover: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Seconder: NASUWT
Supporters: Napo; UNISON; Communication Workers Union