22 June 2023 5:00pm–7:00pm
UNISON Centre
A celebration of the contribution of Black workers to UNISON and London’s public services
To celebrate 2023 as the UNISON Year of the Black worker, and the 75th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Transport (HMT) Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22 June 1948, UNISON Greater London Region is proud to announce a regional event, to celebrate not only the contribution of Black members to the union, but also to London’s public services.
The event will be an evening drinks reception on Thursday 22nd June from 5 – 7pm at the UNISON Centre. It will bring together UNISON members and activists from across the region to celebrate our Black members and their contributions.
The Empire Windrush, which arrived in 1948 carrying passengers from the Caribbean, invited by Britain to assist with post-war reconstruction, has become a symbolic moment in the story of the Black British contribution to the UK and the broader post war migration from across the Commonwealth. The Windrush generation went on to play a major role in the development of the NHS and other public services, particularly in London, and this event will pay tribute to that major contribution with guest speakers and a drinks reception, as well as highlighting the Windrush scandal.
The event will recognise the racism and discrimination that the Windrush generation faced, and Black Workers continue to face today. A recent survey by UNISON Greater London Region on race equality in the workplace showed:
- Only 30% felt their employer takes tackling racial discrimination in the workplace seriously
- Only 25% feel their employer values the contribution of Black staff
- 51% had witnessed, or been a victim of, racial discrimination in their current workplace.
The event will include a short update on UNISON Greater London Regional plan for race equality during the Year of the Black Worker and establishing a legacy for change beyond; practical steps individuals and branches can take to raise these issues with their employer to effect change, and the presentation of the Windrush 75 awards (more details below).
The event is open to UNISON members only. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis
Your place is not confirmed until confirmation has been received
Windrush 75 Awards
The theme of the year of the Black Worker is establishing legacy to generate change. To build on the legacy of the Windrush generation and to celebrate the contribution of Black Workers to our union, London’s public services and challenging racism both in the workplace & wider society, UNISON Greater London Region is proud to launch the Windrush 75 Awards.
These awards aim to recognise outstanding contribution of Black members in London in the following categories:-
- Most innovative or successful branch campaign to support or recruit Black workers
- Significant contribution to Black members within the union
- Significant contribution to Black members in their community
All branches are encouraged to ensure these nominations are on the next Branch Committee agenda and to consider submitting nominations (which should be agreed by a quorate Branch Committee). Nominations will also be accepted from quorate meetings of Branch Black Members Self Organised Groups. Nominees must be current Black UNISON members, rather than full-time officers, within branches in the Greater London Region
Nominations will be considered by the Regional Convenor, Regional Equalities Convenor, Chair of the Regional Black Members Committee and Regional Secretary to agree the finalists. Awards will be presented at the Windrush 75 event mentioned above.
