Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
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WANTED: Unions that can combat racism in society and at work
Our unions must listen to Black workers to make real progress, argues ROGER McKENZIE
Roger McKenzie is a candidate for general secretary of Unison
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
Special report by PEOPLE’S WORLD
NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
To say that trade unions have an important role in combatting racism in society and in the workplace is something of an understatement.
What is really important is that the anti-racism work of trade unions shouldn’t be based on it being the latest fashion or simply thinking that you might look bad if you don’t do anything. Trade unions must be solidly committed to anti-racism for the long term.
Trade unions have come a long way from the early 1960s when the TUC passed a resolution protesting immigration while at the same time being content to accept the membership subs of Black workers.
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