3) Local Get-togethers for Black and Asian members
We often hold ‘get-togethers’ in our Usdaw divisions for our Black and Asian members. These are informal events that bring our Black and Asian members together so that they can discuss the issues that directly affect them at work and talk about how Usdaw can help to resolve problems. Members also suggest ways in which we can encourage more Black and Asian members to get involved in the union and how we can best make sure that the Union remains relevant to our Black and Asian membership.
Recently we held a really successful 'get-together' in Huddersfield. We were really pleased to find that for almost half of those there it was their first-ever union event. Many members felt confident enough to speak out about their own experiences of racism both at work and in the community.
We are very occasionally asked why we exclude white members from such events. People sometimes fear that holding events exclusively for our Black and Asian membership is divisive. This is not true at all. If you look at the way in which we organise other events within the union, we often bring together specific groups of members that share the same concerns. For example, Usdaw has a National Retail Trades Conference for members that work in retail or our road transport members have road transport committee meetings.
We recognise that specific sections of our membership have specific concerns and as such we need to provide space within the union's structures for those members to explore and resolve these. It is essential that we give space to our Black and Asian members to come together and to discuss the very real problems of racism and race discrimination. The get-togethers are an important way in which we can make sure that the voices of Black and Asian members are heard and acted upon within the union.
We know that white people have a really important role to play in fighting racism and that many of our white reps and members offer much needed support to their Black and Asian colleagues. That's why we always make sure that we link the work of the Race Relations Committee back into the rest of the union, so that we can all play a part in tackling racism.
If you want to find out more about how to get involved or about events in your area please contact your local Divisional office or the Women and Equalities Section at Central Office telephone 0161-224 2804.
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