Film Number

7471

Title

THE STRUGGLE OF BLACK WORKERS; BERRY EDWARDS ON GAPS BETWEEN TRADE UNIONS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Producer

WFA

Date

1982

Gauge

U-matic LB

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

64 mins 27 secs

Description

At a meeting in Manchester, Berry Edwards talks about how the Trade Unions (TU) have betrayed all working class people, but particularly black workers. Black people have always struggled for a better life but TU were never concerned about the fundamentals of life, concerned only with sharing wealth/profit and not quality of life. TU actively encouraged racism - supported legislation against blacks. Have not encouraged blacks to join. Raises issue of black union. Discussion opened to floor after 30 minutes and further discussion about black union - attempted after Imperial Typewriters dispute but failed. Other ways the unions could redeem themselves - anti-racist work with white workers.
Talk about the strength of the black movement in 1960s and how its power of was frustrated by Government action. Discussion about bridges between Trade Union and community. How this is breaking down with increasing mobility of workers. Discussed how none of the black workers at the Depot were mobilised during the Moss Side riots because the means were not there to get them out. Kath Locke talks about successful actions of this kind, e.g. 1974 Housing struggles when Direct Works were involved. Examples given of the strength of black workers in many unions - car industry. Also Trade Unions for unemployed people.

[Catalogued as part of 'Revitalising the Regions' a Screen Heritage UK project, 2011]