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 lesbian 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 lesbians 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.