BICO meeting minutes

About this item

This document contains minutes from a 1996 meeting involving Bernie Grant and Vernon Clemens related to trade union activities and international collaboration. It highlights discussions on forming an international body to support workers’ rights and the coordination of a trade mission connected to Black contractors. The minutes illustrate the early efforts to build global solidarity among minority and indigenous workers.

Key points:
– The minutes summarize a meeting between Bernie Grant and Vernon Clemens from September 1996.
– An international organization was formed in Jamaica to support minority and indigenous contractors, known as the International Association.
– A trade mission and first birthday celebration for this organization were planned to take place in South Africa in September 1996.
– A group of nine people, including Vernon Clemens, was scheduled to travel to South Africa as part of the trade mission.
– Discussions included development work in Maputo and advice for Bernie Grant to contact Elsie Owusu for more local information.

This meeting reflects Bernie Grant's engagement with trade unionism and international solidarity, linking Black British political activism with global efforts to support minority workers. The formation of an international association and participation in trade missions align with wider campaigns for workers' rights, anti-racism, and cooperation between local government and global partners.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some fragmented and unclear sections, which may limit full interpretation of detailed discussions but key themes and facts remain identifiable.