Our history informs our present: anti-racism in Wales today
As trade unionists we share values of anti-racism, equity and social justice. It is important to us that we campaign and organise to make our workplaces and community spaces fairer for us all.
Our history informs our present
Whilst many workplaces are taking positive steps to improve, some are not safe or equal places. Action is needed to build and deliver positive, inclusive change. Unions are key to delivering these changes through collective bargaining, negotiation, and organised action.
As TUC Cymru, we’re choosing to stand up against racism and hate wherever we find it. We’re confident in our common values of respect and equality for all people in Wales.
Why we need an anti-racism in the workplace toolkit
We’ve developed a brand new toolkit on anti-racism in the workplace because we want workers to have support in moving towards anti-racism in work. This gives real life examples of actions, with detailed information for all workers, reps and union members.
We know how harmful racism is to people and to our communities. We’ve spoken to government, we’ve informed policies, we’ve made many changes and plans. Now is the time to act so that we can make genuine moves towards anti-racism.
We will work towards creating further resources, to help drill down into these actions and provide you with step-by-step guides on how to carry out these changes. If you read the toolkit and find yourself needing further support you can contact us on cymru@tuc.org.uk
Instead of trying to look at these problems in isolation we want to turn workplaces into places which are actively anti-racist. Genuinely inclusive workplaces don’t just acknowledge diversity, they actively embrace and honour workers’ culture, experiences, beliefs, needs and preferences.
Black History Month in the workplace
Many workplaces will outwardly celebrate Black History Month without taking actions to support their own workers.
One of the many practical actions in the anti-racism in the workplace toolkit is to work with your employer to make sure that they do not just pay lip service, and their actions around Black History Month are not performative.
In the toolkit you can read about how the CWU South East Wales Amal Postal Branch jointly, with Royal Mail, hold a Black History Month event in October each year.
They invite speakers from outside organisation such as TUC Cymru, Show Racism the Red Card and Windrush Generation.
The event is aimed at staff to understand why Black History is celebrated. South Indian refreshments are also provided by reps and managers.
I hope you’ll download the anti-racism in the workplace toolkit and will find it full of information you can use to join the fight to make our workplaces safe and equal places for everyone.