Understanding and supporting Black Lives Matter

In recent weeks the term Black Lives Matter has gained worldwide prominence and been associated with social injustice and inequality in all walks of life.

At Employees United Union we are aware that some members, along with the general public, may well be confused by the term Black Lives Matter (BLM).

There appears to be some widespread misconception, and untruth peddled by those who largely oppose the movement, that it means only black lives matter, which is wrong and misleading.

The BLM movement is merely highlighting that all lives have equal value. This has not always been recognised or demonstrated in the case of black lives. For far too long black people have been subjected to mistreatment and oppression simply because of the colour of their skin or ethnic origin. This distressing reality was graphically thrust into the global consciousness and brutally captured on camera by an incident in the US.

Four police officers, employed to protect and serve, abused their authority and power in the most horrific manner imaginable. While the officers detained an unarmed black man, one of them kept his knee on his neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds. Handcuffed and restrained face down on a road, the man desperately pleads ‘I can’t breathe.’ The harrowing plea is repeated, over…and over…and over again, 16 times in all. He suffers asphyxiation and dies.

The relaxed disregard for a black life is shockingly depicted by one of the ex-officers. The cop, with a nonchalant expression on his face, brazenly ignores the shouts of bystanders to stop, presses his knee down on the neck of George Floyd while keeping his hands casually placed in his pockets. It is not the first instance of its kind. As compassionate human beings, we rightly have to ask ourselves when will black lives matter?

The brutal death of George Floyd in police custody triggered protests across the world inspired by the BLM movement. We have seen these protests before, but this time it feels different.

In the wake of the protests, a number of employers and organisations of all sizes have been forced to reflect on ingrained discriminatory practices that have negatively impacted on black employees.

Employees United Union has a long history of supporting members of all races and from all backgrounds. However, we have long recognised that black workers are marginalised and disadvantaged in the workplace. In fact, this is at the very heart of the formation of Employees United Union. The Union became a reality when a group of trade union activists from across the country, who would meet regularly at the national TUC and other conferences, became disillusioned with what they were experiencing, seeing and being told.

It was apparent to those activists, which included individuals from black and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME), that the same concerns about fair representation and equality were always being discussed. They were frustrated after repeatedly hearing promises of change but then seeing that promise of change never materialise.

One of the initial aims of the union was to address the disadvantages faced by black employees in the workplace. Our representatives have continually strived to do so. Many of our representatives have personal experience of the issues, so they are in the best position to understand them and provide effective support.

As Employees United Union has evolved we have been dedicated and worked tirelessly in supporting members from all backgrounds in addressing all types of unfavourable work-related treatment.
Now is the time for everyone to stand together, support our BAME colleagues in work and the community and say enough is enough. It is not OK to single out, harass or humiliate either in the workplace or on the street; it is not OK to withhold the right to equal health, education or pay; and it is not OK to detain, shoot or kill a person because of the colour of their skin.

On Wednesday 3 June Employees United Union joined many others across the country, including some police forces, in kneeling in solidarity, with safe distancing protocols in place, in support of the Floyd family and BLM.

Employees United Union reps from across the country attended local BLM events where both BAME and white members of the community took a knee in solidarity.
The union would ask moving forward that we take a positive stance and support our BAME members, colleagues and community and show solidarity with the cause.

For more information and support please email us or give us a call.