Blog: Trade unions wouldn ’t be the same without Black Britons

Throughout history, the contributions of Black people have been overlooked and ignored. But Black History Month and UNISON’s Year of Black Workers are all about getting Black people’s achievements recognised and appreciated all year round. Key Black figures have been at the forefront of fighting for social justice and equal rights in the UK. They’ve been instrumental in developing Britain’s culture, art and society as we know it now. During this year’s Black History Month, we’ve been celebrating their achievements, but particularly those of Black women, as community builders, trade unionists, change makers and trailblazing political influencers. Like Olive Morris, a 1960s and 1970s south London community activist who fought for Black women’s rights and organised others to oppose inequalities. The trade union movement – and UNISON – wouldn’t be the same without Black Britons. UNISON has over 185,000 Black members and hundreds of Black staff, and some of them have made history. May Parsons, an NHS matron, administered the first NHS Covid-19 vaccine to 90-year-old Maggie Keenan. This year, May was recognised as one of the most influential Black women in health by the HSJ magazine, along with our deputy head of health Helga Pile. Saluting our Sisters: Black History Month I’ve spoken many times during UNISON’s Year of Black Workers about the 75th anniversary of Empire Windrush, and the 75th birthday of our NHS. If that ship had never docked in Tilbury, we ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: General Secretary's blog News 2023 year of Black Workers Black history month equalities Windrush Source Type: news