Barnet Council has signed up to a national charter enshrining its commitment to opposing racism throughout its organisation.
The Anti-Racism Charter, drawn up by trade union UNISON, addresses the nationwide issues of racial disparities in recruitment, promotions, training opportunities, disciplinary procedures and pay.
It sets out 20 commitments for the council to implement throughout its organisation, from senior leadership to recruitment.
These include having a clear and visible race equality policy championed by leadership; providing robust equality training for managers involved in recruiting, promotions and investigating allegations; and reviewing recruitment processes to identify and address race disparities in equality of opportunity.
Council Leader Barry Rawlings and Chief Executive Cath Shaw met with local trade union representatives to sign the document at the council’s Colindale offices on Thursday (28 November).
Cllr Rawlings said: “As a council, we are opposed to racism in all its forms and committed to championing equality and diversity both within our workforce and throughout the whole borough.
“We are committed to fostering an inclusive working environment where people of all backgrounds are valued. This charter will build on the progress we have already made by ensuring we have the right processes in place to oppose racism at every level of our organisation.”
Barnet Council has placed Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the front and centre of its approach to developing its workforce. The council’s EDI Policy includes commitments to ensuring its workforce reflects the borough’s diversity and to promoting an inclusive working environment.
Alongside the Anti-Racism Charter, the council has also signed up to the local Joint Trade Unions Engagement Framework.
The framework is designed to create a structure for the council to manage its industrial relations and health and safety, and to ensure meaningful dialogue takes place between management and trade unions.
It sets out how the council engages with the unions - formally and informally, the types of meetings held, and how issues are escalated through those meetings.
UNISON London regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “Barnet Council’s commitment to the anti-racism charter and trade union engagement framework is an important step toward fostering equality, building a stronger partnership and creating a truly inclusive workplace where every member of staff feels valued and respected.
“We look forward to building a stronger relationship and working in partnership with Barnet to make these commitments a success. While there’s still much work to do, today’s signings mark a positive and constructive start.”