Black Members Conference – Brighton 20th January -22nd January 2017

The UNISON Community and Voluntary Organisations Branch sent two delegates to this years Black Members Conference. Emilyn Hutchinson from Single Homeless Project and Karen Walker from Choice Support. Below is a report from Emilyn.

I attended as a first time delegate to the Black members’ conference. I was welcomed by the chair of the national Black member committee Margaret Greer. I attended the Disabled caucus, the greater London region meeting and the community sector service group meeting, as well as listening to the guest speakers and debating the motions.

This year there was 28 motions submitted to be discussed during conference.

From these motions, Motion 8 (Race inequality in the workplace) was withdrawn. Motion 9 (Challenging racism and Islamophobia) and amendments 9.1, 9.2; along with Motion10 (The rise and rise of Islamophobia) and amendments 10.1, 10.2 became Composite A (Challenging the rise of Islamophobia). Motion 13(Domestic Violence in the Black community) , and 14 (Domestic Violence and the Black community) became Composite B ( Domestic Violence and Black communities). Due to time restraints only 23 motions were discussed at Conference.

Conference was opened up by Margaret Greer, Chair of the NBMC; she informed conference that after this weekend she will no longer be Chair of the NBMC as she was taking a full time role on the NEC as race and Inequality Officer. Conference was welcomed to Brighton by Peter West, the Mayor of Brighton, who informed delegates about his work with the Black community in Brighton.

Guest speakers at this year conference were, Dave Prentis, Unison General Secretary; Dawn Butler, MP; Malia Bouattia, President of the National Union of Students; and Carol Sewell, Unison Senior Vice President.

Black member conference wasn’t just about discussing motions. There was a feeling of unity, and being part of family. Honouring those who have made positive achievement; remembering those who couldn’t be with us, and standing up for what is morale right. On Friday, Conference came together and united with the other protest around the world, delegates stood up and displayed posters stating “hope Trumps hate”. On Saturday, the Mandela Award was presented to Sadiq Khan, for his work as Mayor of London; On Sunday, there was fitting tribute to Unison President Eric Roberts, who sadly passed away last year.

Other Motions that were discussed at the conference included;

Save Our Services: How cuts are hitting Black people

Migration, mental health and Black members

Black members stress importance of building the union

Let’s talk about racism