Black action NEWSLETTER FOR UNISON BLACK MEMBERS WINTER 2020

Growing a Stronger Union Black members stronger together in UNISON

UNISON BLACK MEMBERS EQUALITY Black action Summer 2020

Yvonne Green, UNISON London regional convenor, wins the 2019 Nelson Mandela Award

Congratulations to Yvonne Green leader and the leader of the Labour who is the 2019 Nelson Mandela group of councillors. Her passion, Award Winner. Yvonne is the commitment and hard work is Greater London regional convenor really paying off. Croydon Council and branch secretary for the local has now appointed its first female government branch in Croydon. Black director, and also now has She told Black Action: “I am four women executive directors, delighted to have been chosen by three of whom are Black. Yvonne my peers as this year’s winner and has also overseen the introduction I am overwhelmed with pride to be of trade union officers sitting as honoured in this way” panel members at interviews for senior director positons, which Yvonne is the first Black person to is unprecedented and a fantastic be branch secretary in her branch achievement. and has been the Greater London Regional Convenor for several Yvonne will receiving her award years. She has been a real pioneer - at the National Black Members driving the equlity agenda on behalf Conference this year and looking of UNISON members and taking forward to meeting UNISON those issues to her local council members at conference.

A moment of reflection Claire Andrews remembered by Hassan Orgtega “They ran me out of Trinidad and Tobago, you know. In those days, it was a massive scandal having an open in our community...they threw bricks at me in the street.”

With those she did that – both figuratively and of aspidistras and old people – it words my literally. Never one to be in awe of a needs shaking up – they won’t know colleague title or perceived social position, she what’s hit them!” Claire Andrews would march right up to her target summed up the and start asking “Hello, what are Claire Andrews was a remarkable circumstances you doing about...?” and put them person who should not be forgotten that led to her on the spot. for making Black LGBT+ history to arriving in during her lifetime but she also the UK in the She gave a lot of her time and made a lot of friends. 1960’s. Like energy in UNISON to ensure that many of us who have experienced there was space in Black members the trauma of ostracism and hatred, and (then) lesbian and gay members she glossed over those formative self-organisation to debate our years in conversation but as she issues, and get policies in place also said “You never forget, do you? which addressed them. You have to remember, you can’t be a victim”. After retirement, she lived in sheltered accommodation. When Claire had clear opinions about I went to visit to check she had where we were going as a settled in, I found her making hot movement and what that meant for pepper sauce (which she always Black and gay men. She carried with her). So, how do you wanted to storm the barricades and like it?” I asked. She replied:“It’s full

2 The WASPI campaign and UNISON Black Women members

By Abiola Kusoro, National Black Members Committee, NEC Black members seat representative

Women born on or after 6 April 1950 • lobbying the government for Political engagement – the are facing hardship in retirement as a change Conservative government claims result of the government’s changes to have equality at the heart of its • educating members on pensions to their state pension age. The 1995 values but they have not delivered to ensure fairness and to help Pension Act increased women’s on a cross-sectional race equality avoid hardship down the line state pension age to 65, the same as strategy. Instead they have mounted men’s. At the time many organisations • supporting members to write to a sustained attack on workers’ – including the Turner Commission their MP and make complaints rights that have disproportionately and Saga – recommended that the to the Department of Work and impacted on Black workers. We government should ensure that Pensions want Black people to effectively the women affected were given engage in British politics and help • taking legal action against fair notice of the changes. These influence policy plans that can tackle the government for the unfair recommendations were ignored persistent race inequality. implementation of the changes. by the government and as a result – hundreds of thousands of women Despite the recent court case Human rights and international UNISON policy on international have had no time to make alternative going against us, WASPI, UNISON and human rights issues continues arrangements and their plans for National Black Members’ and to be of importance to the NBMC. retirement have been shattered. National Women’s committees Civil and human rights have always remain determined to right the been and continue to be entwined, The WASPI (Women against state wrongs committed a decade ago. pension inequality) campaign is with the impact of Windrush, the fighting for justice for these women, rise of far-right groups and the and is a campaign UNISON is Key equality issues anti-Semitism debate. This has only actively involved in. reinforced our commitment to end for Black members discrimination in all its aspects. I personally understand what a Black members have connections minefield the topic of pensions is Equality is at the heart of everything across the world and recognise that and it can sometimes feel like it has UNISON does, it’s part of our DNA. the events across the globe affect been made intentionally difficult to Here are some of the key area of us all in terms of the economy, understand how much you should work for us. environment and workers’ rights. be saving, when you can get your Challenging Race discrimination pension and how it will be paid to Black Health and well being – Black in workplaces – challenging racism you. people living in the UK are more in the workplace is vital to UNISON’s likely to suffer from particular health Imagine then the situation faced by work whether it involves growing conditions than white people. Long- those women born in the 1950s who membership, organising members term health conditions have serious would have been a few years away around campaigns, representing implications for Black workers, from retirement, only to be told, members, challenging pay freezes, particularly those who have long with little or no notice, that they are reorganisation and redundancies periods of sickness absence from now required to work for six more or bargaining and negotiating for work. In these cases, there is an years before retiring and getting the members. important role for the union to play in money that is rightfully theirs. Community campaigns – for protecting vulnerable workers. The impact of these changes, and Black people in the UK inequality Many Black people work to deliver the shocking way this has been manifests itself most visibly in higher public services to vulnerable handled, is acutely felt among Black rates of unemployment and child people and local communities. As women - who are often paid less poverty, poorer education outcomes a member of UNISON, the UK’s than their white counterparts and and an over-representation in the largest public service union you can more likely to be working more than criminal justice system compared to get more involved. one job. white communities. To tackle racism in the workplace it is imperative that Fighting for equality is now more As part of the WASPI campaign we also have campaigns that look at important than ever – UNISON has been involved in: discrimination in wider society. sign up join online joinunison.org

3 Black action Summer 2020

UNISON launches the Race for Equality Campaign in the NHS UNISON launched our Race for Equality Campaign in the NHS as part of Black history month last October.

UNISON will not stand by while There are plenty of things our health • Use the briefings: there is one Black staff in the NHS continue branches can do to get involved on disciplinary action, one on to face the injustice of racism and and we’ve put some suggestions career progression and one inequality at work. together as follows: on bullying and harassment. All are available as downloads More than 70 years after it was • Familiarise yourself with the from the campaign page and founded, the NHS continues to rely campaign materials again all have lots of practical on staff from all around the world, suggestions and ideas on how • Use the Race for Equality leaflet and generations of Black staff have to tackle racism made the NHS what it is today. Yet (available from the campaign many Black staff in the NHS still page as a download from the • Keep checking the campaign face the injustice of racism and online catalogue stock number page for updates; as this is a inequality at work every day. 4120) to start conversations with new campaign we will be adding existing and potential members resources as the campaign Through this campaign, UNISON about racism in the workplace develops and grows wants to help staff recognise and challenge racism in the workplace. • Encourage members to talk • Let the health team know about We aim to support staff – and help about their experiences and tell how you are able to deliver them support each other – as we their story this campaign locally: what issues have you uncovered? work together to take on racism and • Talk to your region about What actions have you taken deliver an NHS that respects and training needs to get your that are working? What are values all staff. stewards skilled and confident you struggling with? Is there in recognising and tackling the That’s why we are making tackling anything more that you need issues racism a core organising and to help tackle racism in your bargaining priority for health • Use the branch action plan workplace? branches. – there are lots of practical • Email at [email protected] You can read more about the Race suggestions and ideas on how for Equality campaign, and access to get involved in this campaign the resources to support your (available as a download from campaigning work at the campaign page) unison.org.uk/raceforequality

Congratulations

UNISON congratulate former Deputy Chair of the National Black Members Committee, (pictured third from left) Kim Johnson MP, on being elected as the first Black female MP for Liverpool Riverside.

We congratulate her on her election result, gaining a larger majority for Labour in her constituency than 2017. Kim has been a UNISON member for years and has stood up for fairness and equality, fighting on behalf of UNISON members. Kim will speak at the Labour Link Forum at this year’s National Black Members Conference. We look forward to seeing her in the Houses of Parliament, making her maiden speech and delivering on behalf of her constituency.

4 Commemorating Eric Irons: Britain’s first Black magistrate

Eric Irons, Britain’s first Black magistrate and campaigner for social justice, was commemorated with a plaque outside the National Justice Museum in Nottingham in October last year.

The plaque describes him as ‘Britain’s first Black magistrate and a man devoted to social justice and equality for all’.

Born in Jamaica in 1921, Eric Irons served in the RAF and first came to the UK from the Caribbean during the second world war. After extending his military service, Irons settled in Nottingham where he married local woman Nellie Kelham.

Racial equality and social justice were at the forefront of Iron’s agenda throughout his career. Part of a minority of Black workers at the Chilwell Ordnance Depot Iron’s continued to make his significant scrutiny from the media. from 1952, Irons took issue with mark on Nottingham and, in Despite this, his unrelenting efforts racial discrimination against Black 1955, established a consultative to advance social equality and employees with the Nottingham committee for the welfare of Black justice were recognised when he and District Trade Council, and people in his own home. His was awarded an OBE for his service successfully secured further working endeavours as a magistrate first in 1978. Iron’s continued to serve opportunities for more Black began in 1962, where his position on the bench in Nottingham for 29 employees at the depot. on the bench was the source of years before retiring in 1991.

London UK Black Pride by Natalie Forbes-Smalley, National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Plus (NLGBT+) and Black LGBT+ Caucus representative

This year I was able to share the experience of helped out on the UNISON stall representing UNISON in London Pride and UK Black and I was able to share some pride with my 15-year old Son Nathaniel. Nathaniel has of the work I do on the national joined me on many rallies and parades but this was LGBT+ committee with him as I his first time marching in London Pride and attending was one of the panel members UK Black pride. The atmosphere at both prides was on a debate session on the amazing. Nathaniel beamed from ear to ear constantly values of being in a trade union for the two days. I was so proud to see my young man (although his presence made me march with such pride holding our banner with his head more nervous than I have ever held high. been before).

UK Black pride is such an important event for me Nathaniel would like to thank culturally as a Black lesbian woman. To be able to share UNISON for giving him the this event with my son was emotional but awesome. opportunity to attend, hand in hand with his mother, Nathaniel thoroughly enjoyed it I could see he got the these two events that have such important and special same gratification in his heart I get at this event. He meaning to us both.

5 Black action Summer 2020

The fight to widen Windrush is underway

By Antonia Bright, Black members’ officer at SOAS UNISON (HE branch) and leading organiser in the Movement for Justice.

Contact: [email protected] and @antoniab4

‘Widen Windrush’ is a campaign endorsed by UNISON’s national delegate conference and we are working with Movement for Justice, to widen the government’s “Windrush Scheme” to include the descendants who came post-1972. Trade unionists can play a crucial role in this campaign by helping to get the word out and organising around this issue. If UNISON Black Members take the lead, we can make a huge impact for Windrush Justice.

Many of us are connected to generations who came before the 1970’s and 80’s. How many left Janet Daby MP hosted the launch campaign in July 2019 children behind? How many were raised by extended families? How from the Caribbean, Africa, Asia Windrush descendants, including many are treated as ‘outsiders’ while or any part of the Commonwealth Yvonne Williams, recounted their their parents and younger siblings and former colonies. You may be fight having been detained in Yarl’s are British? affected directly or indirectly by the Wood. MPs David Lammy and Windrush Scheme. If we stop the Eleanor Smith also spoke. This is where Widen Windrush government getting away with this comes in – to continue the fight injustice we will give people and The plan is for a class action to started in the 60’s and 70’s by those communities so much hope and the challenge the 1968 and 1971 campaigners who recognised the confidence to fight other injustices. immigration laws. More examples divide-and-rule racism contained of people affected are sought, and in immigration laws. They fought to a much-needed crowd-funder is stop the introduction of laws that Why and how to underway. intentionally degraded the rights of Black British people born in the widen the Windrush The Windrush Scandal exposed the Commonwealth, and marched Scheme? racist hostile environment policy under the banner ‘No Colour Bar on and is a tragic indictment of where Immigration’. While the government has been decades of anti-immigrant laws and forced to accept the pre-1972 rhetoric have left us. It highlights the Those racially divisive laws were generation as British, they are still future risks if we allow the further passed and now underpin the ‘not British enough’ to pass on erosion of our freedom of movement injustice of the ‘Windrush scandal’. any rights to the children they left under Brexit. It exposed what had behind the in way a British person been generally hidden from view: Black workers are powerful, and that born in Britain can. So, Windrush arbitrary detention of immigrants is why we are attacked. When we descendants are still facing removal. including asylum seekers, speak the truth about racism, we individuals set up to fail under a move those around us and win over The Windrush Scheme can easily be heavy burden of proof, years of allies among all the oppressed and extended to the descendants and poverty while awaiting decisions, exploited. We must be unequivocal close relatives of that generation. and the compounding of injustice by on all immigrant rights, and reject Winning this would save lives and slashing legal aid, the right to work division based on visa status or end a lot of suffering. and access to healthcare. country of origin. At the parliamentary launch of Widen It also showed the weakness of the Let us not leave anyone behind, Windrush hosted by Janet Daby MP, policies that rely on arrogant racism whatever their generation; hailing powerful speakers, – most of them to point of becoming overreaching.

6 The then home secretary, Amber fight to Widen Windrush and make if you can host a meeting or want Rudd, was forced to apologise and free movement and immigrant rights to get more involved. Follow @ resign. a principle we put into action across BlackUNISON to keep updated on all our branches. UNISON race equality campaigns The fight for immigrant rights has to and activities. For the campaign: become an urgent priority for Black Widen Windrush is @followMFJ #WidenWindrush members. There has been too much #WorkersWindrush or contact@ division setting the settled against on tour! movementforjustice.co.uk the newly arrived which has made us all less safe. We face Brexit and The Widen Windrush national tour its built-in racism and xenophobia, is underway! Can your branch since scapegoating immigration will host a meeting for continue to be the go-to excuse for workers and the local economic crisis, and key driver of community? Can you anti-working class attacks. help get the word out and invite members to We must lead the whole union as we come and learn more? campaign on this issue. The NDC Let roll out Widen vote to support the Widen Windrush Windrush everywhere, campaign shows that the whole encourage our people union is behind us as we continue out from under the the fight for Windrush justice. shadow of the racist Alongside our existing unequivocal hostile environment defence of full free movement of and organise to win real people, our union is on the side of justice, dignity and our ending the racist and xenophobic right to be here! hostile environment in real ways. Now the opportunity to turn this into Just contact me (details action is right in front of us. Let’s at the start of the article)

7 Black action Summer 2020

50 years of – Black LGBT+ contribution: hidden voices

By Bev Miller, National Black Members Committee, LGBT+ representative

The Stonewall Riots, also called the DON’T YOU DO SOMETHING!?” drug addiction, incarceration and Stonewall Uprising, began in the homelessness. For all of these early hours of June 28, 1969 when After a long struggle, Stormé was reasons, Rivera fought for not only New York City police raided the dragged into a paddy wagon and gay and trans rights but also racial, Stonewall Inn, a gay club located that’s when the scene exploded. economic and criminal justice in Greenwich Village in New York That summer night a revolution issues. City. The raid sparked a riot among began and it was a strong butch bar patrons and neighbourhood woman of colour that is reported to Marsha P. residents as police roughly hauled have thrown the first punch. Exactly Johnson was employees and patrons out of one year later, on June 28, 1970, the an American the bar, leading to six days of first Pride parade took place. gay liberation protests and violent clashes with activist and self- law enforcement outside the bar on When Rivera identified drag Christopher Street, in neighbouring threw that queen. Known streets and in nearby Christopher second Molotov as an outspoken Park. The Stonewall Riots served cocktail at advocate for gay as a catalyst for the gay rights Stonewall, she rights, Johnson movement in the United States and was only 17. was one of the prominent figures in around the world. But Stonewall the Stonewall uprising of 1969. incited fervour Police raids on gay bars were in Rivera to Johnson, alongside her good friend common, but on that particular keep going, Sylvia Rivera, emerged from the night, members of the city’s LGBT to keep fighting for voices clashes as leaders in the nascent community decided to fight back— marginalised within the gay rights gay liberation movement. They sparking an uprising that would space. She became involved with helped found the group Street launch a new era of resistance and the Gay Liberation Front, or GLF, Transvestite Action Revolutionaries revolution. and the Gay Activists’ Alliance, (STAR), which offered housing to GAA, and challenged the way the homeless and transgender youth. The history of the Stonewall riots predominantly white gay and lesbian would not be complete without community approached activism She is remembered as one of acknowledging the contribution of from a middle-class perspective. the most significant activists Black LGBT+ activists. 50 years for transgender rights, although after the riots it seems pertinent Rivera wanted their activism to the term “transgender” wasn’t to raise awareness of the role that be more progressive, to include in commonly used during her Black LGBT+ activists played in this their fight the rights of transgender lifetime. Johnson identified as important historical event. individuals, including people of a “transvestite,” gay and a drag colour, the homeless, and the queen, and used she/her pronouns. Stormé incarcerated. But she challenged DeLarverie multiple communities through her In remembering Stonewall it is was a butch activism, also working with Puerto important to recognise that Black lesbian born in Rican activist organization the Young LGBT+ people, galvanised a New Orleans, Lords, hoping the Puerto Rican revolution that fought in solidarity to an African and Latina communities would for people regardless of their American acknowledge the reality of gay and gender identity, sexual orientation, mother and a transgender people. ethnicity or class. Stormé, Sylvia white father and Marsha’s contributions to and she was Defiant of labels, Rivera confounded this historic event, needs to be responsible for starting the first many in the mainstream gay highlighted and celebrated as we Stonewall riot at 1.20am on June liberation movement because salute their bravery and activism in 28 1969. Stormé DeLarverie was of her own diverse and complex a politically hostile environment that hit on the head with a billy club and background: She was poor, could not prevent them from taking handcuffed. She was bleeding from trans, a drag queen, a person of action. the head when she brazenly turned colour, a former sex worker, and to the crowd and hollered, “WHY someone who also experienced

8 UNISON supporting the campaign to for a slavery memorial in Hyde Park For the past 12 years, Memorial 2007, a registered charity with no paid staff and run entirely by volunteers has been campaigning and raising money to erect a permanent memorial to remember enslaved Africans and their descendants.

This group of volunteers have been at UNISON Black History and Black community events since 2017 making the case, persuading and appealing for donations. Their campaign is a serious and determined project with an impressive list of patrons and trustees that includes our very own General Secretary, Dave Prentis.

The proposed memorial has been designed by Australian sculptor Les Johnson and, in 2006, the Royal Parks offered a site in the rose gardens of Hyde Park for an Enslaved Africans Memorial Garden. Slowly, donation by donation, they have been raising funds and creeping towards the required figure of £3.3m to cover the cost.

UNISON donated £7,000 to the campaign in 2017 and Dave Prentis, who became a patron of the campaign in the same year, said: “This memorial is a vital opportunity to remember the brutal impact of transatlantic slavery on enslaved Africans and generation of descendants, one of humanity’s greatest crimes. I’m proud to support it both personally and on behalf of UNISON’s 1.3 million members”.

In February 2015, Memorial 2007 approached the government to request financial assistance. It was partly inspired by the news that, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, pledged £50m towards the cost of a new Holocaust memorial and education centre.

Memorial 2007 had a polite meeting at Number 10 Downing Street, but were given no commitments, no money and no reply to their requests to date.

Another patron Lord Oates, has raised the subject twice in the House of Lords in 2016 and 2017. The memorial campaigners have said “we are trying to get government support but the memorial is an uncomfortable truth for many, consequently there have been many obstacles to Alli Mussa Iye of UNESCO said “This memorial is overcome to bring this to fruition”. considered as an important contribution for raising Like the demands for reparations being made by the public awareness on the history of the slave trade and nations of the Caribbean, whatever the merits of their slavery”. case, demands for a slavery memorial in the UK are unlikely to go away. The National Black Members Committee is now calling on all branches and regions to affiliate to “Memorial The Royal Parks have been incredibly patient and 2007” and UNESCO and to support their campaign supportive but after 12 years, it is disappointing that to help to raise the required funding for “an Enslaved not enough funds have been raised and successive Africans Memorial Garden”. governments and Prime Ministers have not paid much attention to the need to memorialise this “painful legacy” For further details go to memorial2007.org.uk and follow left by slavery. the campaign on Twitter @memorial2007.org.uk

9 Black action Summer 2020

Black mental health by Jed Murray, Deputy Chair NBMC

People from African Diaspora, Five steps to mental change the way you feel about life including those of white and Black wellbeing and how you approach challenges. mixed heritage, can face additional problems that may affect their Evidence suggests there are five According to the Mental Health mental health. Black communities steps we can all take to improve our Foundation, Black people are also in the UK are still more likely than mental wellbeing. If you approach more likely to enter mental health others to experience problems such them with an open mind and try services via the courts or the police, as bad housing, unemployment, them out, you can judge the results rather than from primary care, which stress and racism, all of which can yourself. is the main route to treatment for make people ill. Worldwide, it seems most people. They are also more Connect – connect with the people that people who move from one likely to be treated under a section around you: your family, friends, country to another have a higher risk of the Mental Health Act, are more colleagues and neighbors. Spend of mental illness. likely to receive medication, rather time developing these relationships. than be offered talking treatments such as psychotherapy, and are Be active – you don’t have over-represented in high and to go to the gym. Take medium secure units and prisons. a walk, go cycling or play a game of This may be because they are football. Find the reluctant to engage with services, activity that you and so are much more ill when they enjoy and make do. It may also be that services it a part of your use more coercive approaches to life. treatment. Police detention rates under the Keep learning – Mental Health Act continue to be learning new highest for people from the UK’s skills can give Black communities, even though you a sense of there isn’t a high prevalence of achievement mental illness among this group. and a new Black people are currently 50% confidence. more likely to be referred to mental So why health services via the police than not sign their white counterparts. up for that cooking course, The high profile, deaths in police start learning to custody, cases of Kingsley Burell- play a musical Brown, Sean Rigg, Olaseni Lewis, instrument, or Colin Holt, Mikey Powell and Roger figure out how to fix Sylvester is further evidence that your bike. failures in the policing of mental health services users are impacting Give to others – even the people from Briton’s Black smallest act can count whether it’s communities in greatest numbers. a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Ref: Black Mental health UK This is especially true for Black Larger acts, such as volunteering at people who move to predominantly your local community centre, can There is currently no action plan white countries. The risk is even improve your mental wellbeing and specifically for Black and ethnic higher for unaccompanied children, help you build new social networks. communities. The last Labour in particular those who are seeking government’s action plan on Black asylum or have refugee status. While Be mindful – be more aware of mental health ‘Delivering Race mental illness is no more common the present moment, including Equality’ (DRE) ended in 2010 and in Africa the Middle East or the your feelings and thoughts, your has not been renewed or replaced Caribbean than it is in the UK as body and the world around you. and the remnants of this initiative a whole, it is a bigger problem for Some people call this awareness have all but disappeared. DRE was Black communities living in the UK. “mindfulness”, and it can positively based on the recommendations

10 Mobilising and organising against the rise of the far right from the David ‘Rocky’ Bennett by Adejare (‘Jare) Oyewole – Inquiry in 2004, with a clear remit NBMC communications officer for commissioners and service providers to tackle ethnic inequality. Racism is on the rise, encouraged and reinforced by mainstream politicians DRE also led to the introduction and the media as they divert blame for austerity and spiralling inequality of community development away from those at the “top” of society. workers (CDWs) and the ‘Count Members of the UNISON National Members’ Committee do not believe Me In’ survey, the only UK census that we should let the rise of the far right go unchallenged, that’s why we that includes all in-patients in continue the campaign to challenge Racism in the Workplace and broader mental health services, and has a community breakdown by ethnicity. Across Europe, far right groups are gaining support - from the extreme- Patrick Vernon (former chief right Golden Dawn party in Greece to the anti-semitic and Islamophobic executive of the Afiya Trust) stated, government in Hungary. In the US, Donald Trump’s racism encouraged before he left the trust, “There are fascists to attack the rights of Black, LGBTQ+ people and women. renewed calls for The Department In July members of the US House of representatives voted by 240 to 187 of Health to develop a new national in favour of denouncing Mr Trump for making racist comments that have strategy to tackle race inequality in legitimised fear and hatred on “new America and people of colour”. mental health services, including on workforce development and The expectations of the US are greater than expectations of other leadership, and improve outcomes countries. Mr Trump has normalised language and behaviour that for Black communities. This should previously was on the fringes so it’s no surprise that when you speak to build on lessons learned from people in Italy, Greece, Hungary, and even here in the UK, the far-right Delivering Race Equality Strategy.” movement seems to see Mr Trump as their champion. Racism is systemic and it is not about hating one person but a whole race The Afiya Trust and other race or religion. Recently, Michael Szeewczuk, a far-right teenager, branded equality organisations such as Race Prince Harry “a traitor” for marrying Meghan Markle, who has a Black on the Agenda, along with service mother. user-led organisations including the National Survivor User Network, We have all been shocked by the millions mobilised by the extreme- are considering developing an right across the world. The rights of women, Black people, and LGBTQ+ alternative call to action on race communities are under threat as far-right politicians make advances across equality in mental health. Europe and the US. In previous years, the frustration came from the lack of progress. Now, for This initiative seeks to explore the first time, there is a danger that the progress that has been made in the how the Department of Health, GP fight for equality could be rolled back. consortia and service providers can be more accountable in developing The trade union movement needs to mobilise against the far-right groups strategies on race equality, in line wherever they seek to gain ground. We have a proud history of defeating with legislation such as the Equality fascists and now we must stand in solidarity with groups fighting racism, Act 2010, which appears to have united in the face of our enemies. Our union has so much to be proud of, slipped many minds. Not ours. campaigning for human rights across the globe – we mustn’t stop now, we must re-double our effort in fighting back against racism. There is a fierce In addition calls for the urgency now. reintroduction of RECAP training What the racist and fascist did in the 1970s about Black and Asian people - The Race Equality and Cultural and Jewish people in the 1930s is what they are doing to Muslims now. Awareness Programme cultural The racism that bubbles under the surface seems more legitimate now. competency training to be mandatory, it is well established The far right has no real solutions to today’s problems, instread they thrive that in order to provide culturally on division and hate. It is time to be clear that we are saying ‘No to Racism competent care, knowledge of – Yes to Equality’. We must challenge racism every time it rears its ugly cultural beliefs, values and practices head. If we stand together, we can do it. We know that racism is not going is necessary otherwise health to go away in 12 months but we must mobilise against a system that is practitioners can easily fall prey to propping up and normalising racism. errors of diagnosis, inappropriate An attack on one is an attack on all. We have each other – let’s organise management and poor compliance. around that solidarity Black action Summer 2020

Black Members’ Regional Contacts

Eastern Region South East Region Winston Dorsett Clare Boorman [email protected] Simon Bolton Black members Telephone: 01245 608 913 [email protected] are tweeting National Committee Reps: [email protected] Please follow Sandra Okwara, Paula Cooper/ Telephone: 01483 406511 @BlackUNISON to keep Shamrika (job-share) National Committee Reps updated on UNISON race Rosita Ellis, Jed Murray equality campaigns East Midlands Region and activities. South West Region Corall Jenkins Fiona Bentley [email protected] Kery Baigent Telephone: 0115 847 5404 [email protected] National Committee Reps: [email protected] Black action wants Ash Dhobi, Sudeep Bone, Telephone: 01392 442 659 Doreen Jones National Committee Reps: to hear from you Marcia Dawkins, Nathan Aljoe Greater London Region Black Action is UNISON’s Carol Shorter Cymru/Wales Region publication for Black members and [email protected] Lianne Owen activists. It provides information Telephone: 0800 0 857 857 [email protected] and guidance on the most relevant National Committee Reps: Telephone: 01792 483903 UNISON campaigns and issues Adejare Oyewole, Mitsy Harmon- National Committee Reps: affecting Black members and Russell, Annette Heslop/Lola Kebba Manneh, communities Tansaim Hussain-Gul Oyewusi (job-share), We want to hear from you about West Midlands Region your thoughts on the newsletter, our Northern Region Simon Holder articles and campaigns. Terry Johnstone [email protected] It would also be great to hear what [email protected] Telephone: 012 1685 3169 is happening in your branches and Telephone: 0191 245 0878 National Committee Reps: regions, what you are campaigning National Committee Reps: Shazziah Rock, Miriam Latona, on and what recruitment activity you Iqbal Syed, Lilian Adani Lincoln Paul Davis are doing.

Northern Ireland Region Yorkshire & Humberside Region We’d also like to hear about your Nathalie Donnelly Rose Bent experiences in the workplace and [email protected] [email protected] as a UNISON members, how you Telephone: 028 9027 0190 Telephone: 0113 389 2311 set up your Black members self- National Committee Reps: Vacant National Committee Reps: organised group. Lubna Lazrak, Nwugo Ugada North West Region You can email us at Angela Blundell National Disabled Members’ [email protected] [email protected] Committee Telephone: 07939583826 Kuldeep Bajwa, Abdul Rahman National Committee Reps: National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Azara Azam, Sonia Stewart, and Transgender Committee Amira Taha Bev Miller, Jennie Antonio

Scotland Region National Women’s Committee Black members Peter Hunter Carol Sewell, Magda Lezama [email protected] facebook page Telephone: 0131 226 0072 Black NEC members Check out our National Committee Reps: Abiola Kusoro, Manjula Kumari, Facebook page: BlackUNISON Rakiya Suleiman Hugo Pierre, April Ashley Peter Sharma

Published and printed by UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. CU/JANUARY 2020/25929/2615/UNP 15814. 12