14.03.24
Cardiff Council has become the latest local authority to sign up to UNISON’s anti-racism charter.

The charter, which aims to tackle racism in the public sector, commits organisations and their leaders to having a clear and visible race equality policy, as well as to a programme of anti-racism initiatives.

It was developed in response to a survey by UNISON – the largest public sector union – of 1,000 black workers in London which revealed that only 30% felt their employer took race equality seriously.

Cardiff Council Leader Cllr Huw Thomas said: “This charter aligns perfectly with the Council’s core commitment to be ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ and underlines our aim to foster an inclusive and equitable workplace and the community we serve.

“The Council already has a well-established network which supports our efforts to create a more inclusive workplace but signing this charter is a pivotal moment as we, together with our valued partners, affirm our dedication to dismantling the barriers brought on by racism.

“We pledge to build on a culture that celebrates diversity, embraces equality and ensures that every voice is not only heard but genuinely valued.”

Included in the charter are a series of pledges committing the council to introduce measures within the next 12 months, including:

• Recognising the need and benefit in championing a racially diverse workforce
• Challenging racism internally and externally wherever it arises in the organisation
• Providing unconscious bias and anti-racism training for all staff members
• Reviewing recruitment processes to identify and address race disparities in equality of opportunity, and
• Being anti-racist, not just non-racist in everything it does

Emma Richards, UNISON’s Cardiff County branch secretary, said after the signing: “As part of our commitment to improving working conditions for black members, we have worked with council leaders to make Cardiff one of the first local authorities in Wales to sign up to our Anti-Racism Charter.

“The pledge ensures Cardiff Council’s continued commitment as an employer to recognising the disparity that black workers face and implement a clear and visible race equality policy, a programme of anti-racism initiatives and strong measures to remove any instances of racial discrimination in all its forms.”