Campaign to recruit more black members

Ravi Nathan

By John Stevenson

The STUC is to develop a Scotland-wide campaign to encourage black workers, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugee workers, to take up trade union membership.

Backing the call from the STUC Black Workers' Conference, UNISON's Ravi Nathan told Congress, "We all need to be a part of making this change. We must be prepared to take on the mantle of leadership".

"Black and white workers are concerned about the same issues but Black workers are disproportionately affected", added Ravi.

"Inequality is deeply embedded in workplaces. We must make sure that these types of issues become key parts of the mainstream work of our union".

He stressed that UNISON had already started the work by producing its 'challenging racism in the workplace' toolkit and a toolkit to support Black workers in becoming activists.

The STUC Black Workers' Committee will engage with groups like 'Black Vote' and others to encourage political awareness among Black trade unionists. A report on the campaign's progress will come to the 2010 Congress.

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