In brief: Unions handling more race claims

Racial discrimination claims against employers are increasingly being settled by trade unions and Racial Equality Councils, according to the Commission for Racial Equality's annual review. The number of people approaching the CRE for legal help in 1996 has not increased on the 1995 figure, indicating that other organisations are resolving discrimination complaints. Chris Myant of the CRE said that the organisation wrote to all trade unions in 1995 saying that it would take action if they refused to take up more cases. He added: "The trend is encouraging as it will have the further effect of making trade unions more aware of their responsibility to ensure racial equality amongst its own members."