In her speech to the St Andrew's Day Rally, Kate Ramsden, UNISON highlights the importance of fighting racism and inequality and calls for support for UNISON's Year of Black Workers in 2023.
Greetings from UNISON Scotland and thanks so much for inviting me to speak here today.
I’m pleased to bring solidarity from my union to this St Andrew’s day rally.
Because it is so important to be constantly vigilant in the fight against racism and fascism.
And especially now, coming out of COVID and with a cost of living crisis – which is really a cost of greed crisis - when it is all too easy to demonise and blame certain groups – like migrant workers, benefits claimants, disabled people, older people and single parents.
The last couple of years have presented significant challenges for all workers.
COVID impacted on both our personal and professional lives, with many of us losing colleagues and loved ones whilst struggling to deliver services.
Our Black colleagues have faced all of these challenges but also have to fight racism on a daily basis.
However, the workplace challenges faced by Black workers go beyond the impact of COVID.
Because we know that racism and fascism raise their ugly heads when poverty increases and more and more of us struggle to make ends meet.
This is perpetuated by a Tory government intent on demonising migrant workers with racist immigration policies
Trying to set worker against worker to hide their own failings in dealing with a broken economy.
An economy that they have broken through years of austerity.
We are still the sixth richest country in the world. There is no need for so many of our children to be growing up in poverty
There is no need for so many of our citizens to be dependent on foodbanks to eat – to face terrible choices between starving or freezing.
There is no need for parents to have to go without to make sure their children don’t go hungry.
Giving us all decent pay rises is not only good for workers, it’s essential for the economy.
Because we are the people who spend in our local shops and businesses – who keep local economies afloat and support local communities – the rich don’t.
So never be taken in by the argument that increased wages or improved benefits are unaffordable.
The reality is that they are not only affordable if everyone pays their fair share, they are essential to economic growth. Which is what the Tories say they want!
We send solidarity to all our comrades in struggle across the different trade unions, taking strike action for better wages and often to ensure public protection.
Not only do these workers deserve a wage rise after years of pay cuts, the economy needs it.
So solidarity once again to all of you here today.
Please keep up the good fight against racism, fascism and for equality and social justice for all. We must never take our eye off the ball.