TUC ANTI-RACIST task force chairman Patrick Roach called on the trade union movement to do more to tackle racism in the workplace and in union education.

Speaking at a TUC anti-racist task force event — a group set up in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020 — Mr Roach and the task force recognised that more needed to be done to “refresh” and strengthen the work of trade unions in combatting racism in its organising and education, bargaining, their role as employers and in its campaigning work.

Last year, congress agreed a series of challenging recommendations for the movement to address, which included encouraging affiliates to put racial equality at the centre of collective bargaining, by working alongside black members to identify the key bargaining issues and making sure that black workers’ voices are represented at the negotiating table.

The TUC said it intended to establish a programme to increase the representation of black activists in union structures and set targets to improve the representation of black workers at all levels, including on major decision-making bodies.

Unions will also offer dedicated anti-racist education training for members and activists.

The TUC will also co-ordinate work alongside race equality organisations to highlight and challenge racist policies that affect black workers and the wider black community including campaigning to tackle racism in the labour market.

In an earlier video contribution to the conference TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, who was at home suffering from Covid, acknowledged the challenges that the TUC itself faced to ensure black members of staff got a better deal.

He pointed to the conclusion of the task force of the need to work in partnership with our black employees and with staff trade unions.

He also said that the TUC as well as affiliates should monitor and review our progress on employment issues on the pay gap between black staff and report annually on progress.

Former TUC race equality officer Wilf Sullivan said that “this does not mean very much unless unions pick up the baton and run with it.

“It’s now really important that we as black people force the issue.”

TUC head of equality Kudsia Batool said it was “important to have an oversight group to make sure the work is carried forward. It doesn’t just stop with the report of the task force.”

“This is the beginning of the conversation.”

Mr Roach, who is the general secretary of teachers’ union NASUWT, added: “We cant allow this report to be an irrelevant sidebar in history. It must make a real difference and you must hold us all to account.”