Birmingham
OUT of 1.9 million blacks, the majority are in manual jobs. 62 per cent of them are organised in the unions as compared to 48 per cent white workers.
Blacks have led prominent strikes at Grunwicks, Imperial Typewriters Steakhouse. Why then • are there very few black full time officers in unions? • is the number of blacks on leading elected bodies minimal? • were there very few trade union banners at the last demonstration against immigration laws and the Nationality Bill despite official backing by the TUC and the Labour Party? • is so little material carried in trade union journals about black history? • do union courses scarcely cover racism?
These are some of the problems which the Black Workers Conference will discuss.
On Saturday 7 February 1981 a meeting was held in the offices of the Commission for Racial Equality. It was attended by 80 black trade unionists. After discussion they decided, unanimously, to set up a steering committee with a view to organising a conference of black workers, as well as establishing black As British capitalism is restructured, more and more blacks are thrown out of work. The problems these ferent to those of other workers.
More and more black women are forced to take up paid. It is difficult to organise them without a black dimension.
As the economic crisis grows so does the oppression of black workers. Harassment increases, as well as violent attacks on blacks.
It is in the light of these developments that a conference of black workers has been called on 12 September, at Digbeth Civic Hall. If you are interested, fill in the slip and post it to us as quickly as possible. of speakers will be sent later.
I shall be attending the workers, on September 12th at Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham.
Name...
Address...
Union (if any).
iccupation (If an) end to: Steering Committee for Black Worker Conference, 177, Antrobus Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham 21.
Socialist Challenge 27 August 1981 Page 8 Garners workers confront are dif 'home work' which is very poorly An agenda and list conference of black