UNISON – standing together to fight racism and xenophobia

Standing together to stand up to racism and xenophobia – that was at the heart of the first conference session when UNISON’s Black members met in Llandudno today. “When we stand together, we are at our best … we march forward from here.” That was how general secretary Dave Prentis put it when he addressed delegates. He praised the group for its work around Windrush, which he described as “an attack on your friends, your families and your communities … people with the right to stay here – our people”, saying that the scandal “must never be forgotten”. And he said that the union would continue to take on those who peddle racism and xenophobia. Before that, when welcoming delegates to North Wales, Councillor David Hawkins, the mayor of Llandudno, had thanked the union for the work it does to combat the actions of the “Conservative zombie government” that is doing so much damage to working people across the UK. And he asserted that, in pushing Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May, former prime minister David Cameron and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage (and others) had “paved the way” for a resurgence of the far right and overt racism. Opening the first motion of conference, Flora Alsanta from Northern Ireland observed that “the ‘hostile environment’, Windrush and Brexit all come together to” show the extent of the problem of racism. The motion called for greater help for members needing immigration advice and representation. She stressed that t...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2019 Black Members Conference BREXIT racism Stand up to racism year of young worker young members Source Type: news