At an event at 3pm on Thursday 6 July at the Innside Hotel on Newcastle’s Quayside, UNISON General Secretary, Christina McAnea will launch UNISON Northern Region’s Year of Black Workers program of activities. This includes our Anti-Racism Charter.
The Anti-Racism Charter can make a real difference to Black workers’ lives. The pledges in the charter will help employers address the racial disparities in recruitment, in promotions, in training opportunities, in disciplinary procedures and in pay.
The pledges aim to help organisations implement a clear and visible race equality policy, a programme of anti-racism initiatives and actions to ensure there is a programme of equality training for staff across the organisation.
Gateshead NHS Trust, will become the first employer in our region to sign up to the charter, both UNISON and the Trust have committed to working in partnership to reach the goals of the charter and to tackle inequality, improving the working lives of staff at the Trust.
UNISON Regional Convenor Nicky Ramanandi said: “As a black worker the charter makes meaningful commitments to supporting black staff at work.
“I am proud of the work the union has done, working in partnership with Gateshead NHS Trust.”
“We will be working with other organisations across the region to encourage them to sign up to the charter too.”
Gateshead NHS trust deputy chief executive Gill Findley said: “We are delighted to be the first organisation in the North East to be signing the Anti-Racism Charter with UNISON and we are looking forward to working with UNISON on this.
“Gateshead Health is a place where our people should be proud to work at, feel fulfilled, and are at the heart of our organisation. The Anti-Racism Charter will ensure that our organisation is actively working to create an inclusive workplace for all. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or any other protected characteristic. By signing this charter, we are making a commitment to put anti-racism at the heart of our work for both our leaders and our organisation.”