During the course of this pandemic, it has become evident that workers like ourselves, who are both Black and disabled, are more likely to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 than non-Black and non-disabled workers.
Why? We’re more likely to be working in frontline, low-paid jobs. We’re also more likely to face dual discrimination related to our disability and ethnicity. We’re even more likely to die from COVID-19.
Like all of UNISON’s Black disabled members, we have been working hard throughout this crisis. We have both been working from home during the pandemic and are extremely fortunate that our employers have been supportive.
We recognise that many other Black disabled members are not in this position. In fact, a recent survey of UNISON’s Black members showed that 17% of respondents who had a letter requiring them to shield had continued to work in their usual workplace during the pandemic for all or most of the time.
These Black disabled members were continuing to go to work, at great risk to their own health and lives, even though they should have been allowed to either work from home or be put on special paid leave.
Other survey respondents who were shielding or had underlying conditions were on unpaid leave or Universal Credit, as their employers would not agree to homeworking or special paid leave. Unfortunately, such situations are all too common.
It has been a challenging time for us too.
Peter has lost two friends to COVID-19. He’s found it really hard not to be able to visit loved ones who are sick and has found the strict funeral restrictions made the process of grieving even harder.
Veronica has been shielding throughout, as have several members of her family. Despite shielding, she has found it difficult to access food deliveries and to get repeat prescriptions without leaving the house or relying on others to go out on her behalf.
The Black Lives Matter movement has raised awareness of the structural racism experienced by Black people in our society, and created a momentum of worldwide anti-racist solidarity. Now is the time for Black disabled members and allies to stand up, speak out and get active in their union.
UNISON has a Black disabled members’ caucus that raises the concerns of the members who self-identify as Black and disabled, and we encourage all Black members and disabled members to get involved in Black and disabled members self-organised groups.
We must continue to fight for our rights – and we ask our colleagues to stand up and speak out in solidarity with us. Because Black disabled lives matter.
The article Blog: Because Black disabled lives matter first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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