Black Workers Conference poster

About this item

This poster announces the Black Workers Conference held on September 12th, 1981, in Birmingham, organised by black trade unionists. It highlights the specific challenges faced by black workers in Britain during a time of economic restructuring and growing racial oppression. The conference aimed to create stronger representation through black caucuses within trade unions.

Key points:
– The initial meeting took place on February 7th, 1981, involving 80 black trade unionists at the Commission for Racial Equality.
– Attendees unanimously established a steering committee to organise a conference and to create black caucuses in unions.
– Black workers faced unique difficulties, including job losses due to economic changes and the rise of poorly paid home-work, especially among black women.
– The conference was scheduled for September 12th, 1981, at Digbeth Civic Hall in Birmingham.
– The poster includes a reply slip for interested participants to register their attendance.

This document reflects early 1980s Black British trade union activism responding to racial discrimination and economic marginalisation. It connects to Bernie Grant’s broader political work addressing systemic racism in labour and local government. The conference exemplifies efforts to build Black working-class organising and resistance during a time of heightened racial violence and economic crisis.

Source note: The OCR transcript is clear and complete, but minor typographical errors do not affect the overall interpretation.