Southwark Council has become the latest local authority in the capital to sign up to UNISON’s anti-racism charter yesterday (Monday).
The charter was signed by Councillor Kieron Williams – leader of the council, Althea Loderick – chief executive, Jo Galloway – regional secretary and Southwark branch secretary April Ashley.
The charter, which aims to tackle racism in the public sector, commits organisations and their leaders to having a clear and visible race equality policy, as well as programme of anti-racism initiatives such as training for all staff.
It also includes promoting a diverse workforce, addressing the impact of racism on staff wellbeing, and regularly reviewing strategies to improve racial equality, diversity, and inclusion so the organisation can reflect the communities it serves.
The charter is part of a wider UNISON initiative to combat racism in the workplace. It comes in response to a survey by UNISON in London of 1,000 black workers. This revealed that only 30% felt their employer took race equality seriously.
Additionally, half of those surveyed (51%) also said they had witnessed or been a victim of racial discrimination at work, and 53% said they believed race had prevented them from progressing in their career.
Notes to editors:
– A copy of UNISON London’s anti-racism charter can be found here
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Emma Davey M: 07432 733187 E: e.davey@unison.co.uk
