Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “At a time of unprecedented challenge for the anti-racism movement across the UK and internationally, the TUC has a unique role in bringing trade unions together to shape a co-ordinated and strategic response.
“It is almost six years since the TUC established the Anti-Racist Taskforce that kickstarted a period of renewed activity among affiliates. That has led to meaningful change within our movement, including a strengthening of existing networks of Black activists and the development of new initiatives to address racism and promote racial justice.
“The rise of the far right, of racist attacks and intimidation, together with the continued criminalisation of refugees and migrant workers, means we must redouble our efforts to prioritise action to promote racial justice at work and in society.”
Usdaw is calling on the TUC Race Relations Committee to:
- Work with the TUC to support their efforts to build a broad anti-racism movement that harnesses the strength of the anti-racist majority in the UK.
- Support affiliates in their work to remove the barriers preventing Black workers advancing in their unions and their workplaces.
- Actively support affiliates to train union reps in anti-racism and other forms of bigotry, including misogynoir (anti-woman racism).
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
TUC Black Workers' Conference 2026: https://www.tuc.org.uk/black-workers-conference
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion