AS TRADE unions, there is no more important time for us to be redoubling our efforts and organising activities to address the scourge of racism and the fight against the far right.

The racialised and deadly impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to disproportionately affect the lives of black communities and individuals, amplifying the racial injustice already embedded in the social, economic and cultural fabric of our society.

As trade unionists we need to reflect and learn from the battles which have been fought throughout history for race equality, but also commit to even greater action by our unions, our members and activists today. 

This is why I am proud to be chairing the TUC’s new anti-racism task force.

This task force, involving general secretaries and other senior leaders from across the trade union movement and civil society will lead the development of an action plan to tackle racial inequality at work.

It will be taking forward a wide-ranging programme of action to tackle racial discrimination and ensure fairness and decent treatment at work.

But this must not be a paper exercise. We must empower trade union members to take action in their workplaces to challenge the systems and practices which hold back talent or put workers at greater risk of illness or injury because of the colour of their skin. As trade union leaders we must call out racial injustice and institutional racism wherever it exists. 

The trade union movement has a long and proud history of opposing racism and fascism. More than 50 years ago we fought back against the hate-filled rhetoric of Enoch Powell as the first legislation was enacted to outlaw race discrimination in the workplace following campaigning by trade unions and other civil society organisations.

But the fight goes on. The threat from far-right activists and neonazi thugs has not gone away and with the transition period after Britain’s exit from the EU due to end on 31 December, this could further bolster attempts by racist, anti-migrant extremists to whip up division and hatred in our communities.

Such groups have already retrenched in opposition to the heightened prominence and authority of the Black Lives Matter movement and it is imperative that as unions committed to equality we are part of that move for change as we act for racial justice on our streets, in our communities and in our workplaces.

In being part of the change trade unions need also to examine their own institutional structures and practices and undertake an open and honest assessment of how they can ensure they are inclusive and reflective of the workplaces and workers they serve. 

Our union movement will ensure that our own democratic structures are representative and support black members to be empowered in their workplaces at local and national level and that our trade union movement is at the forefront of actions to tackle racism and bargaining for workplace justice.

In turn, we will hold a mirror up to ourselves and ask where we can do more and go further. 

The NASUWT is committed to that challenge. For our members that means us continuing to speak out about the disproportionate number of covid-19 deaths among frontline black workers. 

It means demanding that employers and government recognise and take seriously the concerns of black teachers about their health and safety in the workplace.

More broadly, it means continuing the fight for concerted and determined action to end the injustice of systemic and institutional racism which continues to stigmatise, exclude and oppress black children, young people and communities — the disproportionate use of stop and search and school exclusion of black boys and the failure of schools to tackle the overt and covert racist abuse experienced by black pupils and staff.

Trade unions have historically been in the vanguard of progressive social and institutional change.

Many of the basic workplace and human rights we have today are the result of trade union struggle and collective action. 

Racism is a scourge on our society and on any school or workplace where it exists. 

We must recognise tackling racism as central to our collective trade union values, together with the fight for good work, fair pay and decent working conditions. 

Patrick Roach is general secretary of teaching union NASUWT and chairs the TUC anti-racism task force.