From John Page, HTUC Secretary

Hackney TUC notes:

• That new migrant and minority ethnic communities face high levels of unemployment and underemployment, and discrimination when at work.

• That young workers are prone to exploitation and their safety can be compromised at work because of their lack of knowledge of employment rights.
• That this exploitation and discrimination can be at its worst in workplaces where there are no recognised trade unions.
• That the trade union movement cannot expect marginalised workers to automatically join trade unions unless the movement makes the effort to demonstrate our commitment and relevance to them.

Hackney TUC therefore resolves:

• To support and initiate trade union recruitment and organising drives in the borough and encourage activists in organised workplaces to support workers where organising campaigns have been initiated.

• To authorise the Secretary, on behalf of Hackney TUC to work with relevant community groups (including Hackney Law Centre, CONEL Trade Union Education centre, and representatives of Black and Minority Ethnic organisations) to facilitate a campaign of community awareness of employment rights and the role of trade unions in asserting such rights. This authority does not include an authority to commit financial resources.
• In particular to facilitate creation of a flexible ‘rights at work' one day ‘taster’ course which can be delivered on-site to community groups and organisations, including at schools and Universities, and to train a number of Hackney TUC delegates to assist in the delivery of the course.
• To seek to identify funding to facilitate proactive delivery of the above to community groups, including (but not limited to) seeking funding from trade unions affiliated to Hackney TUC.
• The Secretary to report back regularly on progress.