RCN nurses on strike in 2023
A new report from the RCN nurses’ union shows a shocking 55 percent increase in complaints about racism at work.
This only accounts for racist incidents at work that were reported, when we know most racial abuse and discrimination is never reported.
These racist incidents include managers and staff members abusing nurses on the job.
A manager told an RNC member they “shouldn’t have come to Britain”, after the nurse complained that their leave request was denied. Another worker told a nurse, “I want to remind you that you’re not one of us”.
Patients and their family members have told nurses they don’t want “people like her” treating them. Nurses have been called “slaves” and “creatures”, and had their accents mocked.
Black and Asian nurses at breaking point.
The huge increase and clear rise of the far right and Reform UK has increased racism experienced by nurses.
Previous reports have identified the NHS as institutionally racist.
This was demonstrated clearly during the Covid pandemic with disproportionate deaths of doctors and other health professionals coming from the global majority.
Healthcare workers from the global majority in Britain accounted for 64 percent of deaths of nursing and support workers, and 95 percent of medical staff during Covid.
White nurses are twice as likely to be promoted as black and Asian nurses.
It is significant that the RCN has recognised that it relates to the relentless anti‑migrant rhetoric from mainstream political parties and media.
It has said that the government is “pandering of the worst kind” with its vicious new visa plans.
It is time for healthcare employers to take stronger action against racism or face a loss of nurses and the possibility of strikes.
Moyra Samuels, west London
Some 2,000 people turned out for the 18 October “No Kings” protest in the small Michigan town where I live. That’s nearly 10 percent of the population, and double the number who came for the previous No Kings protest in June.
No Kings has been criticised as disproportionately white and old. However, there seemed to be more people of colour this time around, including members of the local Native American tribe.
A Latino family drove up and down the road waving a sign saying “no kings, no tyrants” in Spanish.
There were also more young people this time, who added a lot of noise and energy to the event.
Trump’s government has tried to portray No Kings as a violent mob led by Antifa. But the atmosphere was peaceful, celebratory and festive.
The event felt very liberal as the “No Kings” slogan referred back to the American Revolution, but many younger demonstrators in particular were promoting more radical causes.
If these kind of numbers turn out in a small, mainly white, towns in a conservative areas, Trump could be in trouble.
Mike Evans, Michigan, United States
One of the deadliest police forces in the world broke its own record last Tuesday night.
In an “operation” against Comando Vermelho, one of the biggest criminal factions of Brazil, armed men sponsored by the state raided communities in Rio de Janeiro. They killed more than 130 people.
But the military police of Rio de Janeiro is itself a criminal organisation, formed by militias sponsored by the government.
We haven’t heard anything from the president of Brazil. People in these communities are outraged and they just want to know what to do. But the only ones that offer answers are Evangelics and factions.
But we do have very strong voices in the Brazilian media, such as Jones Manoel. He is a Marxist activist with an online audience.
In the past year, this has seen a massive increase that is aiming to seize the political spotlight and bring our concerns into the light.
Luis Velasques, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
A report last month discussed housing conditions with excessive heat in new build homes. The same is true for new builds in the NHS.
The glass NHS building where I work acts as a greenhouse in the summer. The lifts are also constantly breaking down. Disabled workers have had to crawl downstairs.
Many NHS buildings are decaying, damp and are a health hazard.
Strikes in the NHS are needed to defend our physical working conditions.
Maggie, south London
Plus: Readers on anti-racism in Gosport, driving out the far right in York and Burnham's pension plans
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Leeds activists defying state repression
