Unite races forward to tackle discrimination
21 October 2010
With concern mounting that the coalition cuts will give rise to
greater social inequality, Unite – the UK’s biggest union – is
stepping up efforts to deal with race inequality in UK
workplaces.
Unite says that there is already a 15 per cent gap between the
employment rates of black, Asian and ethnic minority workers and
their white colleagues (see ONS - Disadvantaged groups in the
labour market). And last year, nearly 6,000 race
discrimination cases were heard by Employment Tribunals, with
countless more being settled before that stage, reflecting the
extent of race equality issues at work today (see Employment
Tribunal and EAT statistics 2009-10). The union says that, using
the provisions of the new Equality Act, union reps can make real
improvements in the treatment for minority ethnic workers.
Collette Cork-Hurst, Unite national officer for equalities, said
that, with black workers more likely to join a union than others,
Unite is determined to improve workplace race equality for its
members: “Unfortunately, discrimination against black workers at
work continues to blight today’s labour market. Black, Asian
and ethnic minority workers find it harder to find decent
employment and sadly, too many then encounter discrimination once
at work.
“Black people and their families will be particularly hurt by
the coalition cuts but Unite is determined they get the fairer
treatment they deserve at work.
"October is Black History Month so while we celebrate the
contributions black, Asian and ethnic minorities have made and
continue to make to our society, it is also fitting that we
continue to press forward on equality.
"Unite’s ‘Race Forward’ campaign will help us take real action.
We are determined that our union reps are equipped to take
discrimination issues up with employers, if need be using the legal
backing of the new Equality Act to ensure the decent treatment of
our members.”
Unite’s ‘Race Forward’ action pack guides workplace union
representatives through a five-point action plan on key employment
issues facing black people such as racial discrimination in
recruitment, promotion and pay, as well as dealing effectively with
racial harassment and bullying.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Collette Cork-Hurst on
079768 49502
Notes to editors:
The Race Forward campaign concentrates on 8 key priority areas
and the Action Pack with 5 action points for each area:
- Closing the ethnic minority employment gap
- Tackling the pay gap for black workers
- Fighting for equality of opportunity in promotion
- Dealing effectively with Racial Harassment, Discrimination and
bullying
- Promoting fairness for black women workers
- Negotiating for Union Equality Reps
Ensuring fair treatment of migrant workers
- Organising and recruiting black, Asian and ethnic minority
(BAEM) workers into Unite the union
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