Network Journal 2007 Issue 6 Nov/Dec

Reaching out to migrant workers

The black members weekend workshop this year was another great success with every place taken up and over half of those who came had never been to a national union event before, writes equalities officer Jo Bird.

This is what the weekend is all about - giving newer black and Asian members the confidence to get active and involved in the union.

The theme of this year's weekend was 'reaching out to migrant workers'. On the Sunday afternoon, delegates heard from an impressive panel of speakers, including general secretary John Hannett, Pawel Tarnecki, a shop steward at a large distribution centre, Sean Bamford, TUC policy officer on migrant labour and Su Patel, chair of Usdaw's Southern Divisional equalities forum.

"I have never missed a Black Members' Weekend and always look forward to discussing issues with delegates," said John Hannett. "It is vitally important that we take the time to listen to the voice of our black and Asian members and hear about the problems they are facing at work.

"I was also keen to share with members the work we are doing to reach out to migrant and agency workers."

Rep Pawel Tarnecki, from Poland, who has been working in the UK for two years said: "I was delighted to be invited to speak this weekend.

"Although I've only been a rep for a short time I've worked with my fellow reps to make sure everyone on site is a member. After all, how can we seriously say to employers that we represent the workforce if many of our colleagues aren't in the union."

Throughout Sunday workshops were held asking reps to think about how to tackle some of the myths that surround the issue of migrant workers. Delegates agreed that what is being said about the newer groups of migrant workers isn't new.

As Su Patel explained: "Many of the same prejudices were said about Irish workers in the 1930s, Black Caribbean workers in the 1950s and Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi workers in the 1970s and 1980s.

"It's worth reminding ourselves that migration isn't a new issue. For centuries migrant labour has helped to build our economy and our trade unions. Principles like unity is strength remain as relevant today as they ever were."

Monday morning was taken up by discussing the findings of a recent survey that asked Usdaw's members about their experience of racism at work. "It was great to be able to have the discussion about racism at work," said Sonia Foster.

"It's given us the space to talk about our experiences and to discuss what we can do to make our workplaces 'racist-free zones'. But to achieve that we need to share the survey findings with the rest of the union.

"After all we can't challenge racism without making sure our white reps are on board."

www.usdaw.org.uk/equality

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/network_journal/22/bmweekend.html
Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Jan-2008 22:55:16 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits