10 November 2005
Amicus is speaking to its member's in the North West about how to recruit more members from the black and ethnic communities.
Amicus wants to encourage more members from the black and ethnic minority communities who are currently underrepresented in trade unions and get more members to join and fully participate in union activities.
The conference "Setting the Equalities Agenda", to be held in Blackpool, Claremont Hotel from 11th to the 13th November, will give members the opportunity to discuss and contribute to key trade union issues that they see relevant to the specific needs of black and ethnic minority workers.
Amicus says that more black and ethnic minority workers face discrimination and low pay at work or suffer unemployment. 'Black workers, jobs and poverty' analyses official statistics to show that unemployment amongst the UK's ethnic minority communities currently stands at 11 per cent, but drops to five per cent for white workers according to a TUC report 2005.
Amicus Regional Officer, Steve Benson, said:
"We want our members and activists from these communities to raise issues that face black and ethnic workers in the workplace and in their communities so we can best advise on and respond to them.
"We have received an excellent response from North West members wishing to attend this event and we hope to encourage more people from these communities to join Amicus and participate in union activities."
Conference speakers will include Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston, Afzal Khan, Mayor of Manchester, Sukhvinder Kaur Stubbs, Director, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Ian Manborde, TU Studies Tutor, Northern College and Steve Benson, Amicus Regional Officer.
Amicus is campaigning nationally and regionally on equalities issues and to stamp out racism.
