Unite pushes for race equality

General union Unite is issuing workplace union representatives with action packs as part of the union’s Race Forward campaign.

The pack provides a five-point action plan on key employment issues facing black people such as racial discrimination in recruitment, promotion and pay, as well as dealing effectively with racial harassment and bullying.

As part of October’s Black History Month Unite drew attention to ONS figures showing a 15% gap between the employment rates of black, Asian and ethnic minority workers and their white colleagues.

Collette Cork-Hurst, Unite national officer for equalities, said that, with black workers more likely to join a union than others, Unite is determined to improve workplace race equality for its members, especially as “black people and their families will be particularly hurt by the coalition cuts.