How our national Black members’ committee challenges racism
In his latest chair’s column, Mohammed looks forward to Ramadan, discusses the vital work of the national Black members’ committee and encourages DWP members to vote yes in the ongoing strike ballot.
In February, Muslims begin the holy month of Ramadan where we fast during daytime hours, spend more time in prayers with family and friends, and give to charity to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
We know that Islamophobia is a specific and growing form of racism that affects many PCS members.
Muslim workers face prejudice, stereotyping, harassment, and institutional discrimination, often reinforced by hostile media narratives and damaging government policies. This creates real barriers at work, impacting recruitment, progression, wellbeing, and safety.
Yet other forms of racism, including antisemitism, also continue to harm our communities, divide workplaces, and undermine solidarity.
As a trade union representing civil servants, PCS has a proud history of standing against all forms of discrimination and injustice. Anti-racism is not an optional extra to our work — it is central to who we are as a union.
What the national Black members’ committee does
I am proud that the PCS national Black members’ committee (NBMC) has played a vital role in challenging racism and Islamophobia within the union, across workplaces, and in wider society.
The committee has led campaigns to expose institutional racism in the civil service, challenged discriminatory policies such as Prevent, and raised concerns about racial profiling, surveillance, and the disproportionate impact of austerity on Black and Muslim communities.
Through the NBMC, PCS has pushed employers to improve equality monitoring, address pay gaps, and tackle racism in performance management and disciplinary processes.
The committee has supported members facing discrimination, helped shape union policy, and ensured that Black members’ voices are heard at the highest levels of the union. It has also worked to mark and organise around key moments such as Islamophobia Awareness Month, Black History Month and Holocaust Memorial Day.
As part of this ongoing commitment to education, remembrance, and solidarity against all forms of hatred, the NBMC was proud to host our Holocaust Memorial Day session on 29 January. You can watch this event back on the PCS Facebook page.
Elsewhere, our members in DWP group are currently being balloted for strike action for decent pay.
If you are a DWP member, please vote yes vote in the ballot, which lasts until 23 February 2026. I encourage you to return your ballot paper in the post and to let your union know as soon as you have done so.
Lastly, I am really grateful to colleagues who put together the Black Members’ Digest. As always, send any feedback and ideas to [email protected].