E-Quality

February 2009

E-bulletin for branch officers with an equality role.

E-Quality launches Welcome to the first issue of E-Quality, a regular e-bulletin for branch officers with an equality role. The bulletin will offer an overview of equality developments in UNISON, in parliament and in the wider world. If you have ideas on issues which should be covered, email equality@unison.co.uk or write to UNISON Means Equality, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ.

What is a branch Equality Officer? This ebulletin is intended to provide information for all officers with an equalities role. Some of you receiving this will be Branch Equality Officers, or may be considering standing for the role in future. Branch Equality Officers have a specific role. Everyone in a branch has a responsibility to tackle prejudice and discrimination and promote equality, and it is the Branch Equality Officer's role to co ordinate this work and monitor its success. A fuller explanation of the role of the Branch Equality Officer is in the Code of Good Branch Practice, available here: http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/17711.pdf UNISON's guidance on Organising for Equality will also be useful: http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/15486.pdf

UNISON equality scheme - final draft soon to be published UNISON's tailor made equality scheme will give us the tools to embed equality in everything we do, systematically and consistently. It features detailed equality action plans for every head office unit and region. The consultation draft of UNISON's tailor made equality scheme was launched at national delegate conference, and we are now finalising the scheme, reviewing it in response to consultation responses. For more information, and to view our equality films, see http://www.unison.org.uk/equality/scheme.asp

Equality Bill - the picture becomes clearer UNISON has welcomed the government's long-awaited announcement on its Equality Bill for England, Scotland and Wales. The proposals, Framework for a Fairer Future, include extending the duty on public bodies to promote equality, banning age discrimination in the provision of goods and services, greater transparency in gender pay, new rights to take positive action and wider powers for tribunals. This is a vital lobbying opportunity - we must ensure that this Bill updates and strengthens equality law to make it fit for the future. Read Framework for a Fairer Future - the Equality Bill at: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/publications/FRAMEWORK%20FAIRER%20FUTURE.pdf For the UNISON response to the consultation, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/file/UNISON%20Briefing%20equality%20bill%20October%2008.doc

Sign up for UNISON's equality duties training More than 90% of UNISON members work for public sector employers which have a statutory duty to tackle discrimination and harassment and promote equality. Implemented effectively, the public sector duties can make a real and tangible difference to the quality of UNISON members' working lives and the services they deliver. UNISON offers a one-day course to help activists use the duties to the benefit of their members. To find out when the course is running in your area, contact your regional education team on 0845 355 0845. Making good use of the equality duties Let us know how your branch has used the duties to drive equality. Email: equality@unison.co.uk

Self-organised groups' conferences 2009 Dates and venues have been set for the national self-organised group conferences in 2009. Black Members have already had their successful conference. To come: National women's conference, 19 - 21 February 2009, Southport; registration deadline for delegates has passed but you can still attend as a visitor National Disabled Members Conference 31 October - 2nd November, Blackpool National LGBT members' conference, 20 - 22 November 2009, Cardiff. For more information, go to: http://www.unison.org.uk/conference/index.asp

Trans equality in post-school education UNISON plays a leading role in the Forum on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Post-School Education which comprises education unions and organisations, plus the National Union of Students. UNISON led the Forum's project to develop best practice guidance on equality for trans students and staff in post-school education. Read the guidance here: http://www.unison.org.uk/out/docs_list.asp Gender Identity - An introductory guide for trade union reps supporting trans members UNISON and the Scottish Transgender Alliance jointly produced this guide for union reps supporting trans members. The guide gives a background on what it is to be trans followed by practical advice on common workplace issues. Read the guidance here: http://www.unison.org.uk/out/docs_list.asp

Harassment A new guide on how to deal with harassment in the workplace is available - stock no 159 or see it here: http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/17763.pdf

Pregnancy Diary UNISON has produced an updated Pregnancy diary, to support expectant mothers in workplaces. See it here: http://www.unison.org.uk/women/pages_view.asp?did=7920 For more information on equality in UNISON, including contact points in your region, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/equality/index.asp.

For more information on women in UNISON, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/women/index.asp For more information on Black Members in UNISON, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/blackmembers/index.asp For more information on LGBT members in UNISON, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/out/index.asp For more information on Disabled Members in UNISON, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/disabled/index.asp For more information on Young Members in UNISON, visit: http://www.unison.org.uk/young/index.asp

UNISON Equality is issued to all registered UNISON activists with a valid email address on the RMS system. If you are receiving this in error, or your email address is changing, please go to: Changing your email address Want more info? Visit our website at www.unison.org.uk for comprehensive news, info and updates on UNISON's campaigns and information. If you need help or information fast, call UNISONdirect on 0845 355 0845. Feel free to download or copy this info for personal or trade union use, but please do not post this bulletin to a public forum as it may contain information for registered users only. To ensure UNISON newsletters are not classified as junk, add auto.email@unison.co.uk to your address book. Click here for more information: Adding E-quality UNISON to your contacts Have you missed out on an edition of UNISON Equality? Visit the archives for all the previous editions. Click here for details: E-quality UNISON archive UNISON, 1 Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9AJ, United Kingdom. Tel: 0845 355 0845. Web: www.unison.org.uk