Apply now to join us at our Black Activists weekend

We want to build a strong, growing and diverse trade union movement. To do that, we need to ensure the movement looks like and reflects both the workplace, communities and our members. The weekend will bring together Black trade union members from our affiliated unions in the regions together to learn how we can encourage and enable greater diversity across all levels of our movement, and help give you the confidence and skills to influence your union structures. 

Aim of the programme

The aim of this programme is to identify, empower and enable Black members and activists to gain skills, confidence and contacts to step forward within the movement. 

It will also help the TUC to continue to learn what the trade union movement should be doing better in order to ensure the movement reflects and represents its diverse membership.

 

The weekend will offer practical tips for reps, support on navigating union structures, an employment law update and opportunities to network with reps, activists and senior trade unionist from across the movement.  

Taking part won't answer all the challenges and it won't guarantee people will get a a role they want. But it will help us tackle the barriers and enable us to start or accelerate the work needed. 

Who is this for?

When we say Black – with a capital B– it is used to indicate people with a shared history. ‘Black’ is used in a broad political and inclusive sense to describe people in the UK who have suffered from colonialism and enslavement in the past and continue to experience racism and diminished opportunities in today’s society. The includes those who might identify as BAME. 

Black workers are more likely to be trade union members, yet they remain under-represented as union reps, activists, staff, officers, political leaders and change makers. If we want the trade union movement to truly reflect the workers it represents and to bring about effective change for all, then we need to remove the barriers that prevent Black members from becoming active, developing and advancing within the movement.

 

The programme is open to all Black trade union members, reps and activists, who are members or reps of TUC affiliated trade unions and who live or work in the North West region. 

What do I need to do to take part?

In short, if you are a Black trade union (affiliated to the TUC) member keen to get more involved, or a rep or activist, looking to take another step forward, you are able to apply. You need to be able to attend both days in person, in Liverpool. And you just need to actively participate so that everyone gets the most out of the weekend. 

 

We hope to be able to accommodate all who apply, but if we are over-subscribed, we will let you know. 

Costs/help taking part

The programme is free. Lunch will be provided on the programme. We anticipate starting at 10am on Saturday 3rd October, running until around 4:30/5pm. Sunday will be a similar start time, with a finish in early/mid-afternoon. 

 

All we ask is that if you need assistance with travel costs to attend, or accommodation, you speak with your union branch or trade union for support. In exceptional circumstances we may be able to help, please do contact us if this is the case should you be part of the programme. 
 

The initial deadline to apply is Friday 14th August. You will be notified if you are given a place on the programme by Friday 21st August. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available spaces, we will spread these across our affiliates. 

The information you provide will only be used to contact you about the programme, and help us better understand who is taking part and tailoring the sessions to those participating. 

Final information, agenda, timings and location will be confirmed after the deadline.