Report of the 2008 Tuc Black Workers Conference

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REPORT OF THE 2011 TRADES UNION CONGRESS BLACK WORKERS’ CONFERENCE

8-10 APRIL 2011, CONGRESS HOUSE, LONDON

MEMBERS OF THE NUT DELEGATION

Delegates

Sharon Anderson; Lindy Bannis; Samidha Garg;Betty Joseph; Roger King; Sandra Mitchell; Omio Bhattacharya; Ivy Scott; Leonora Smith

Visitors:

Robert Cheesman; Gill Goodswen

REPORT OF THE NUT DELEGATION

MOTIONS

MOTION 7: FIGHTING CUTS IN FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION – THE IMPACT ON BLACK COMMUNITIES

Betty Joseph spoke in support of the motion from the University and College Union (UCU), emphasising the links between the UCU and the NUT. She described cuts to further and higher education as ‘ideological’, and questioned whether the Coalition Government was committed to the interests of young people and future generations in general, andto working class and black young people in particular.

She saidthat cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and a rise in university tuition fees would impact disproportionately on young black people, and said that educational opportunities should be based on entitlement and educational ability, not an ability to pay. She called for equality impact assessments to be conducted in relation to access to further and higher education and the impact that funding reductions would have on access.

The motion was carried unanimously.

MOTION 19: INTERNATIONAL MODERN DAY SLAVERY

Sandra Mitchell seconded the motion from the Fire Brigade Union (FBU), the FBU having accepted the Union’s supporting and strengthening amendment.

She called on the TUC to develop cross-union support to end all forms of modern day slavery, but emphasised the particular importance of ending child slavery. She referred to the abolition of the slave trade in Britain in 1807 and emphasised the important role and contribution of black people in its achievement, but noted that world wide, conditions of slavery continued.

She called on the conference to condemn child labour and the exploitation of children, emphasising that education should provide a gateway to enlightenment, freedom, improved circumstances and life chances for all children, and should be universally available as a right.

The motion was carried unanimously.

MOTION 20: YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE’S VOICES

Leonora Smith moved the Union’s motion. She said that for many black and minority ethnic young people, parental, family and community background could provide an anchor within society, and that this included their experience within schools and the education service.

She said that education played a crucial role in enabling black children and young people to fulfil their potential, but that the experience of young black people, including discrimination and racism, could undermine their educational experience and their ability to succeed. It was vital that they had opportunities to speak out about their experience and had the confidence that they would be supported.

She referred to Prof Gus John’s Learners’ Charter and urged all unions to support it and to send representatives to the forthcoming launch at Hamilton House.

The motion was seconded by GMB and carried unanimously.

SPEAKERS

CHAIR'S ADDRESS – MICHAEL NICHOLAS, FBU

The Chair welcomed delegates and other participants to the Conference, noting that it was a well established and essential feature of the TUC calendar.

He said that the 2011 Conference came at a difficult time of job losses through the effects of the recession, cuts and redundancies in the public sector, which impacted disproportionately on black people and black union members. He said that black workers who faced redundancy were likely to find re-employment more difficult as the economy recovered.

He said that equality had to be at the heart of the alternative set out by the TUC and others. He noted that the Third Report of the Equality Audit was due to be presented to the 2011 TUC Congress, and that it was vital to ensure that structures and employment practices were representative, fair and transparent, and inclusive of strategies for race equality.

BRENDAN BARBER – GENERAL SECRETARY, TUC

Brendan Barber said that the Conference was being held at a time of great uncertainty for black workers, people and communities, with the economy in recession, a time of austerity, rising unemployment and the threat from far right political groups.

He noted that it was the 30th anniversary of uprisings in Brixton, Toxteth and Moss Side, and said that it was vital as a society to say ‘never again’ to the social divisions that had led to that time of unrest.

He said that workers of all ethnic backgrounds needed a ‘plan B’ to current Government policies, including an alternative social and economic strategy of job creation, growth, tax justice and community cohesion. Black workers were disproportionately represented in disadvantaged communities which would suffer most from cuts and austerity leading to rising inequality, increased poverty, further restrictions on social mobility and rising unemployment. He noted that unemployment levels among black people were at 13 per cent – twice that of all workers – and that unemployment levels among young black people were at 30 per cent. Additionally, access to further and higher education opportunities was being closed down.

He said that current economic and social policies left communities vulnerable to a far right backlash. He paid tribute to all who had opposed the BNP in the May 2010 elections, but said that there remained a threat from groups such as the EDL.

SHARON SUKHRAM, TUC – PLAYFAIR 2012 CAMPAIGN

Sharon Sukhram outlined the campaign, emphasising the importance of ensuring that the rights of all workers were respected. She said that more needed to be done by the organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games in London to ensure that workers were paid a living wage, were guaranteed freedom of association, and were not employed on short term contracts.

TREVOR PHILLIPS – CHAIR OF THE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (EHRC)

Trevor Phillips paid tribute to the work of unions in campaigning for race equality, including on equal pay and on countering discrimination. He noted the significant progress that had been in race relations in the UK over the course of 30 years, including by trades unions themselves.

He referred to the history of equalities legislation, including the Equality Act 2010, which he welcomed, but he cautioned against ‘interference’ including, for example, calls to amend equalities legislation in order to ‘cut red tape’.

He referred to the effect of the adverse economic situation and public spending cuts. He said that these could impact negatively on minority groups, including black people. The EHRC was seeking a legal review on the effect of reductions in public spending on people in minority groups. He noted that the EHRC itself may face reductions in funding, but said that the organisation had already been seeking, prior to the spending review, to reduce funding where possible and achieve more whilst requiring less public money.

PROFESSOR GUS JOHN

Professor John introduced the Learners’ Charter, which he had authored. The Charter enshrined education as a universal and inalienable human right and affirmed the public provision of quality education as a fundamental entitlement of all children.

It aimed to encourage a debate about what schooling is for, how schooling provision should be made, and how schools should be organised and funded, in order to ensure that every child mattered. The Charter emphasised that schooling should contribute to the rounded development of children in order for them to have the confidence, self worth, values and skills that would prepare them for living in civil society and enable them to contribute to the social and economic life of the community.

He announced the launch of the Charter at NUT headquarters in London on Friday 17 June 2011, and invited delegates and participants to attend.

KANJA SESSAY – BLACK STUDENTS’ OFFICER, NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS (NUS)

Kanja Sessay said that the past year had been a difficult one for students, especially in relation to reductions in spending on further and higher education, and a decision to allow an increase in higher education fees. She noted that there were currently around 1 million members in the NUS black members’ section.

She said that the participation of black students, especially in achieving full time officer roles, had increased significantly over the course of a year, and that this contrasted starkly with negative stereotyped images within the media of young black people.

She expressed concern about unequal access for young black people to further and higher education, and said that the removal of the EMA and increased tuition fees were likely only to exacerbate their exclusion. She concluded by welcoming the increasing political participation of young black people and urged support in order to encourage them to use their voice, exercise their rights, participate actively and seek representation.

SARAH KING – EQUALITIES OFFICER, EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS (EPSU)

Sarah King noted the considerable progress that had been made in recent history against discrimination, citing the election of the first black President of the United States and the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa. She noted also that much progress had been made in the UK.

She cautioned against complacency, however, saying that battles against racism, xenophobia and intolerance had not yet been won. She cited in particular barriers to access for black people throughout Europe to essential services, including health, education, employment and housing.

She cautioned against the rise and increasing ‘legitimacy’ of far right groups not only in the UK but throughout Europe, for example in the European Parliament. She urged the Trade union movement globally to mobilise against the international organisation and collaboration of far right political groups.

PLENARY SESSIONS

Tributes were paid to Keith Faulkner, TUC Events Organiser, who had died in January 2011.

A video commemorating the life and achievements of Jayaben Desai, who had died in 2010, was shown. Jayaben Desai was a prominent and influential black woman trade unionist.

Glenroy Watson (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union) spoke in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Deptford fire which had killed 13 young black people. He urged delegates and participants to attend a conference and rally to be held in April 2011 in support of social justice.

Tributes were made to the contribution and achievements of Colin Moses, the first black National Chair of the Prisoner Officers’ Association (POA), who had announced his retirement. He also addressed the Conference. Colin Moses had made a significant contribution to the TUC Black Workers’ Conference and movement.

VOTING

TUC RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE BALLOT ANNOUNCEMENT

Betty Joseph was elected to the TUC Race Relations Committee 2011-2012.

MOTION TO CONGRESS

The Conference voted for Motion 4, Race Equality and the Attack on Public Services,to go forward to the TUC Congress 2011.

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