IT’S GREAT to be back at Congress, meeting together for the first time since the start of the pandemic. 

Congress is our opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity and affirm the power and determination of our trade union movement to change the world of work for good. 

And, at a time of the worst cost-of-living crisis for half a century, rising levels of in-work poverty, and attempts to roll back the hard-won rights of workers, our fight for fairness and justice at work is more important than ever.

In contrast to a government that has failed to deliver for workers, our trade unions are doing just that — stepping up and taking action where it matters. And, not least, taking action to stop racism at work and to fight for a better deal for all workers. Because, when black workers rise, we all rise!

Racism is a trade union issue on which we must be determined to lead by example. Through the adoption of the recommendations from the TUC Anti-Racism Taskforce, our movement will be committing to change that delivers for black workers and for all of our members — because we cannot secure economic justice unless we secure racial justice at work.

That means fighting systemic workplace injustice and inequality, and calling for a government that will take action not only to ban the use of zero-hours contracts, outsourcing, fire and rehire and other attacks on workers’ rights, but also which respects trade union rights. 

This protects the rights of all workers. But, we must also see action that will tackle racism at work, because unless we are deliberate and explicit about doing so, black workers will continue to suffer. 

Building on the work of the TUC Anti-Racism Taskforce over the last two years, new research was published last month confirming the extent of racism at work. 

The largest study in the UK into the experiences of black workers found that two in five black workers have faced racism in their workplaces in the last five years and many had been bullied or had racist comments directed at them while at work. 

Less than a fifth of those workers who had experienced racism in their workplaces reported it to their employer, with most saying they did not believe they would be taken seriously. 

Even where black workers report racist incidents, nearly half were not satisfied with how complaints were handled, with some saying that it resulted in them facing yet worse treatment. 

But, overt racism is just the tip of the iceberg. Despite 50 years of legislation to outlaw race discrimination at work, the situation facing black workers today appears to be going from bad to worse. 

Tackling racism at work requires leadership at every level, backed up with stronger workplace rights and robust enforcement measures, something that the current government is refusing to champion. Instead, it wants to focus on weakening workplace rights.

The latest Tory prime minister is responsible for a system that is stacked against black workers. And the indications are clear that the government’s agenda will increase economic disadvantage for all workers, especially for black workers, who will shed no tears for Kwasi Kwarteng following his sacking. 

But the callous incompetence goes right to the very top with a Prime Minister who has sought to save her own untenable position by punishing this former chancellor.

This is even more reason to deepen our resolve to press for a government that is on the side of all workers — demanding a statutory duty on all employers to identify and root out racial disparities at work, with the introduction of mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting, ending fire and rehire, requiring fair pay agreements, as well as guaranteeing swift and effective penalties against employers when workers experience discrimination at work. 

These are some of the goals our unions will be committing to achieving. And, where employers play fast and loose, we will be willing to do whatever it takes, with industrial action and litigation, to win justice for our members. 

I’m proud that our Anti-Racism Taskforce has managed to amplify our collective resolve to tackle racial injustice in the workplace. 

We have set in motion a comprehensive programme that can deliver meaningful and lasting change within our own unions and across the labour market. 

We know that it’s not enough for us to say we are opposed to racism or to demand action from government, employers or others. We must also be anti-racist, ensuring that we take action ourselves.

It’s our action that matters — action that will win the change we want to see in workplaces and in our unions for the benefit of all workers.