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The Employment Rights Act introduces major reforms to UK employment law, with changes being implemented in stages from December 2025 through to 2027.

Employment Rights Act

TUC Black Activist Development Course

This programme for Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic workers will give you the confidence and key 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 interested in doing so, 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.

What do we mean by Black

Black’ – with a capital B– 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”.

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 TUC is responding by organising exciting development programmes in TUC regions for the next generation of Black Leaders. It will give Black members an opportunity to learn about the trade union movement’s structure, diversity, priorities and leadership.

What will participants gain from completing the programme?

The programme will enable participants to develop the knowledge, skills and networks they need to become active or progress within the movement.

The programme will cover the following:

Understanding union structures and how to navigate them.
Identify and breaking through barriers.
Organising for power – building and maintaining your unions strength and effectiveness.
Running successful campaigns.
Communicating as an effective trade unionist.
Becoming an effective leader.
Making change through politics.
Networking opportunities with leading union officials and political figures.

Find a Black activist development course in your TUC region or nation

Get in touch with your nearest regional or national office to apply. If you’re unsure which one covers you, see the TUC near you.

Northern
Register for the course
Contact klockney@tuc.org.uk

South West
Course already commenced.
Contact southwest@tuc.org.uk

Midlands
Course coming soon
Contact rjohnston@tuc.org.uk

North West
Course coming soon
Contact jmckenna@tuc.org.uk

Yorkshire and Humber
Register for the course
Contact jwheatley@tuc.org.uk

London. Eastern and South East (LESE)
Course coming soon
Contact LESE@TUC.ORG.UK

Scotland
Course coming soon
Contact JLWoodhouse@tuc.org.uk

TUC Wales
Course for 2026/27 recruiting now.
Contact asingh@tuc.org.uk

How can union officials nominate someone

If you know someone who would be perfect for this programme, we welcome referrals from trade union officials. Simply email rsixsmith-hughes@tuc.org.uk with their full name and email address and we will reach out to them with all the information and details on how to apply. We've found that in previous programmes a formal nomination greatly boosts the confidence and potential of those being nominated, helps further recognise their role in Howthe union and also means we can help support them during the application stage.

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