Union branch links up with race equality council

A group of union reps and their local race equality council (REC) is gearing up to tackle discrimination in the workplace.

In what is thought to be the first such initiative of its kind, public services union UNISON's Northamptonshire branch has set up in partnership with Northamptonshire REC in a year-long pilot scheme.

The REC is one of a number of local race equality councils, funded by the Commission for Racial Equality, to promote racial equality and tackle discrimination. The scheme will see REC members working closely with UNISON officials representing members complaining of racial harassment.

The REC will also run training schemes for stewards, introducing them to race issues and race awareness, and instructing them in handling race-related problems.

Branch secretary Richard Carr said: "This partnership will give our stewards much more confidence in dealing with race issues. And it will make us more confident and expert as an organisation, in tackling racial discrimination."

He added: "Black and ethnic minority workers will be more interested in joining UNISON if they know we will deal with their issues sensitively and efficiently."

The 4,700-member branch deals regularly with complaints of racial harassment or discrimination.

An REC spokesperson said: "The partnership will see a benefit to all UNISON's members affected by discrimination in the workplace - by ensuring earlier and more effective intervention, resolving matters speedily and reducing the need for lengthy legal cases."