Covid-19 Awareness for Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Workers - RMT Members Survey

3rd December 2021
My ref: EO/4
Circular No. NP/438/21

TO: THE SECRETARY
ALL BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

COVID-19 AWARENESS FOR BLACK, ASIAN & MINORITY ETHNIC WORKERS - RMT MEMBERS SURVEY

Earlier this year, I sent a survey to all RMT black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) members because research had shown that those from a BAME background were being disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 and we wanted to find out the level of support provided by their employers.

Much has changed since then regarding the pandemic:
We have had the vaccine roll out and now the booster roll-out
We have a new variant of the virus, Omicron, thought to be more transmissible
Covid-19 restrictions lifted (although some back in place due to the new variant)
Government isolation rules have changed

As we move into winter, with infection rates rising and a new variant of the virus, it is acknowledged that this will be a difficult time in the fight to control the Covid-19 virus.

Our Black & Ethnic Minority Members’ Advisory Committee (B&EMM) have requested our BAME members are surveyed again to get an updated picture of the realities faced by our members working in operational and frontline roles.

RMT BAME members have therefore been contacted by email and text inviting them to complete a further short survey by midnight Wednesday 15th December via this link: https://bit.ly/3DaQvEL

No information provided in the survey will be shared if it would lead to individuals being identified. We will use the responses from this survey in our negotiations with employers to address any issues identified that could compromise the health and safety of our BAME members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary