STUC 21st Annual Black Workers’ Conference

October 6th 2017

STUC 21st Annual Black Workers’ Conference

October 6th 2017

STUC 21st Annual Black Workers’ Conference Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th October, 2017 Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, Clydebank

The Scottish Trades Union Congress 21st annual Black Workers’ Conference takes place this weekend (7th – 8th October 2017) in Clydebank, where the major issues affecting black workers in the labour market will be debated by around 60 delegates from affiliated trade unions across Scotland.

Conference delegates will highlight their experience of racism and discrimination which unfortunately is still alive and well in Scotland, while debating a range of issues relating to workplaces around the country.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) will highlight that recent research found that well over a third of children have experienced some form of racism, and that over half of Muslim children have experienced Islamophobia.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers will discuss the appalling situation on our Scottish ferry routes and on supply vessels in the North Sea oil and gas industry. Here, non-European seafarers are being exploited on lower rates of pay than their UK/EU counterparts, with some workers being paid as low as €3 per hour on vessels working from Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland’s second busiest port.

The STUC Black Workers’ Committee will move a debate on the need for more BME representation in public life. Of the 574 seats available on Scotland’s public boards, only 16 are held by BME people.

This year’s Conference will be addressed by the current STUC President, Satnam Ner, which holds particular significance given that he is the first black worker to be elected to this role, the most senior within the Scottish trade union movement.

The chairperson of the Conference and the STUC Black Workers’ Committee, Michael Anderson, said “This is a really crucial time for the trade union movement in Scotland. The Scottish economy is struggling, racism and discrimination are on the rise in Scotland, poverty is increasing, and wages are stagnating. There has never been a greater need to remove the barriers that prevent us from harnessing the potential of our Black workers in Scotland and ensure that they play a full and meaningful part in our labour market.”

ENDS

For further information contact Sarah Wiktorski 0141 337 8122