Wales’ largest public sector union is launching its Year of Black Workers campaign in Cardiff.
UNISON Cymru/Wales, which represents tens of thousands of public sector workers, will be recognising Black workers throughout 2023 in a bid to create a lasting legacy to generate change.
The Year of Black Workers 2023 campaign will be officially launched at 6:15pm on Tuesday 14 March 2023 at UNISON House in Cardiff.
The event will feature guest speakers including UNISON Cymru/Wales regional secretary Dominic MacAskill and UNISON Cymru/Wales’ first ever female convenor, Jan Tomlinson.
Kebba Manneh (pictured above), chair of UNISON Cymru/Wales black members committee, will present the event and said: “This UNISON campaign highlights the barriers of racism Black workers face while focusing on measures to dismantle discrimination and race inequality.
“UNISON has approximately 185,000 Black workers, the largest organised Black workforce in the UK, who mainly work in health, local government.
“The Year of Black Workers campaign promotes and requires all sections of UNISON to better challenge systemic racism.”
UNISON Cymru/Wales regional secretary Dominic MacAskill said: “Systemic racism means that Black workers are not having opportunities to move up pay scales, get promoted or work in sectors with high pay rates.
“UNISON has a vital role to play in challenging these issues and it is an honour for us to launch our Year of Black Workers campaign here in Cardiff.
“Legacy and change are the two key drivers of our campaign and our branches and regions will support and train Black members as well as support the development and recruitment of black workers to UNISON.”
