Stephen Lawrence Task Group
   tackling institutional racism in the workplace

Respect at Work Conference, 
Easton, Bristol, February 2000

Panel Discussion

The Conference was opened up for questions and discussion led by Clytus Williams, a UNISON Member, Chair of Standing Orders Committee, National Delegate Conference and Member of South West TUC Executive. He introduced the Panel:

Asher Craig has been seconded to the newly formed Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations. She has been involved in the social and economic development of Bristol's black community for over 15 years. She currently holds very senior positions in a number of strategic partnerships and organisations, including Chair, Bristol Regeneration Partnership; Chair, Bristol Early Years and Childcare Development Partnership and Chair, Black Development Agency. The Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations aims to bring increasing resources to the ethnic minority voluntary sector. Asher also holds the position of Director of Avon Parents Network Ð a city wide information service for parents and carers of children.

John Ashman is the Regional Secretary of the South West Transport and General Workers Union. A central figure in the South West trade union movement, John is also a member of the South West TUC Executive.

Janine Garel was a Race Discrimination Case worker for the Avon and Bristol Law Centre from 1990-94 and has worked for them as a Solicitor since 1998. She has gained extensive experience in race issues over the last ten years, having established the Race Equality Council for the valleys in South Wales (1995-97) and by sitting on the Management Committee at Chester Race Equality Council for two years. Here in Bristol Janine works with black organisations and local race equality councils to help them identify cases to take to employment tribunals.

The discussion took in a wide range of issues, many challenging for trade unions. They were accused of collusion with management on some occasions which discriminated against black and ethnic minority workers; they failed to take up race cases and it was often Ôpot luckÕ as to the quality of representation. There were positive examples of union success; the recent dispute at Fords was given as a example of collective union action.