First time delegate and speaker, UNISON’s
Priscilla Maramba, told Congress that
ConDem austerity has worsened the plight
of BME workers, and the rise of UKIP and
media bias have added insult to injury.
“Equality for BME workers is slowly
slipping down the slope and the only hope
for BME workers lies in support from their
unions.”
Her comments came as delegates backed
a campaign to support BMEs in the workplace,
by lobbying for improvements and greater
enforcement of equality laws, by challenging
politicians and the media to make sure
that racist behaviours don’t become
the norm, and by fighting austerity at
every turn.
Priscilla pointed to a Joseph Rowntree
Foundation report in 2011 which showed
that even then, low pay and unemployment
were dominant features in ethnic groups,
with barriers to employment, especially
for women, a recurrent theme.
“Congress, the plight of Black
workers in 2011 was pretty bad. With four
years of Con Dem austerity measures it
must now be catastrophic.
“There is a lot of underemployment
with many Black workers working in jobs
unrelated to their qualifications due
to discriminatory practices and lack of
support.”
Being in a union was important for all
BME workers but even more so for BME workers
who are activists.
“In these times of austerity characterised
by temporary contracts, zero hours contracts
and agency working it takes a lot of courage
for BME workers to raise their heads above
the parapet,” warned Priscilla,
calling for more trade union mentoring
to support BME workers in their role and
to help them to realise their potential.
