<\/p>\n
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan opened Black members\u2019 conference with a speech in which she committed to \u2018a new chapter\u2019 for Black union members.<\/p>\n
She also gave two prominent UNISON activists awards.<\/p>\n
Sandra Okwara (pictured left) won this year\u2019s 2026 Nelson Mandela Award, which is given to those who exemplify Nelson Mandela\u2019s values of \u2018determination, a desire for unity, and strength in the face of injustice\u2019.<\/p>\n
Kevin Imoloame (pictured right) won the 2026 young Black members\u2019 award UNISON activists under 27 who are dedicated to race equality and passionate about improving workplaces.<\/p>\n
Watch Andrea\u2019s full speech on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFor too long, Black members have carried the weight of discrimination cases that drag on for years, disciplinary processes that fall disproportionately on your shoulders, and workplaces that treat equality as an optional extra.<\/p>\n \u201cI know the hurt, the frustration, the exhaustion that comes from being ignored or sidelined by employers when you raise racism. When your grievance sits unanswered,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen the trauma is compounded by delay, denial, and silence.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrea explained that, when she was UNISON president in 2023, she led the Year of Black Workers. Now, in her post as general secretary for the next five years, she outlined her vision:<\/p>\n \u201cA union where Black workers are protected, represented, and empowered. A union that uses its collective bargaining strength to challenge racism head on. A union that organises to win.\u201d<\/p>\n A bigger, stronger UNISON<\/strong><\/p>\n Andrea stated that the fastest-growing part of UNISON\u2019s membership is migrant workers, particularly migrant care workers, many of whom are Black and of African origin.<\/p>\n \u201cYour fight is UNISON\u2019s fight. Your fight is my fight,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether we have to defend jobs. Together we have to protect pay. Together we have to campaign for \u00a315 an hour. Together we have to fight austerity and the cost of living crisis that hits Black communities hardest. We will push for better pay and pensions across public services. And together we have hold to employers to account when they fail our members.<\/p>\n \u201cTackling racism in the workplace requires more than statements. It requires action.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrea committed to turn the recommendations of the UNISON Race Discrimination Inquiry into action.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will support branches to take on employers who fail to protect Black workers. We will ensure equality is not an afterthought but a core industrial issue. This is about justice in the workplace. Fairness in practice, not just policy. Dignity for every member.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrea welcomed the Labour government\u2019s commitment to making ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory in the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, but said that UNISON will be also demanding mandatory action plans.<\/p>\n