More Black union members are heading for the picket lines

By Nneoma Ekwegh

BLACK WORKERS are increasingly taking part in industrial action which ‘counters the image’ of strikes being disproportionately white.

Union insiders say that striking Black workers should not be a surprise as racism in employment gives them more reason to take action.

Recent industrial action by junior doctors, rail staff and gig economy workers at Amazon revealed a high proportion of Black and minority ethnic people on the picket line.

Majority

The nursing union, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) recently announced plans to embark on a strike action later this month, and again in May.

When the nurses went on strike recently - first for the union in its 106year history - it was notable that a high proportion of strikers were Black.

The transport industry has also experienced a series of massive strike action by the RMT union, which also involved a large number of Black workers.

Recently, 1,800 bus drivers took to the streets to protest against their employer, Abellio, with the majority being Black. Last month, 500 Amazon workers in Coventry, who are members of the GMB union, took part in a walk out to contest poor hourly pay and unfa- vourable working conditions, which again was highly diverse.

Unison national secretary Margaret Greer told The Voice that Black workers often faced the worst deal, which were driving them to down tools and demand better.

She added: “There is this myth that Black people don’t get involved in trade unionism but we do.

Ethnicity

“We are organising across diverse sectors such as local government, health, including water and gas, and energy. There is a big movement.”

“The ethnicity pay gap is a really big issue in terms of the disproportionate pay of Black people doing the same or similar work to their counterparts.

RESPECT: GMB picketers demand managers treat them right (photo: Sean Leajy)

NO FREE RIDE: Abelio bus strikers picketing (photo: WSWS)

There is also racism and an overrepresentation of Black people in disciplinary grievances”

Protection

Unite’s national officer for equality, Maureen Scott-Douglas, suggests protection and security are reasons why Black workers join trade unions.

“Because of the discrimination, harassment and unfair sanctions Black and ethnic minorities face in the workplace, they join unions for that guarantee of protection and security.

“There is also the benefit of visibility and the strength in numbers for those facing disputes.”

Antiracism campaigner Emeka Forbes noted that many recent strikes are taking place in industries with a sizable Black presence.

“In sectors of the economy where Black workers or people of colour are largely represented, like health and transport, we see that workers pay has not kept up with the demands of inflation. There is a really important racial dynamic to all of it.

“People of different races will experience their workplace differently and so Black union members have a unique experience and perspective required moving conversations in the right direction of equality for black members and workers.”

To further emphasise the willingness and readiness of Black workers to take part in conversations that affect them, Ms Greer noted that Unison’s recent Black members conference in Edin- burgh Scotland had at least 700 members in attendance.

She said being part of the conversation is the only way Black workers can influence and change government and organisational policies.

“If we are not at the negotiating table, if our voices are not being heard then why would we want anyone to take our issues seriously?

“Black people still have the same issues as many of our members in the union.

“The one thing that is different is that it is tinged with undermining them due to their race, they are underpaid in certain areas doing the same work as their counterparts.

“We can’t disengage ourselves from being part of the conversations; we owe this to the next generation.”