Last Updated: 5 March 2010

Activists meet to build equalities work

(05/03/10) “We’re strong – and we’re not frightened of anyone.”

That was the message from general secretary Dave Prentis today when he addressed a UNISON 'establishing equality' event in London.

The day was an opportunity for activists from across the UK to:

• develop support networks with UNISON equality reps and branch equality officers;
• find out more about equality issues;
• plan and build the union's capacity to organise around equality;
• share practical ideas to support improvements to equality practice in the workplace and branch.

Stressing that equality is central to everything UNISON does, Mr Prentis emphasised the inequality of the recession, with its impact being felt disproportionately by, for instance, women and young black people.

Noting that UNISON is a forward-looking union taking the lead on areas of work such as education, he highlighted the link between that learning agenda and the fight for equality.

And he pledged that the union, working together, would stand up for every member – regardless of who wins the forthcoming general election – and against cuts to the public services that help to build equality in our communities.

President Gerry Gallagher – whose chosen presidential charity seeks to raise awareness around domestic violence – told activists that it was important to help employers understand that issues such as domestic violence (an equalities issue as it primarily affects women) can impact directly on productivity: it's not something that is unrelated to the world of work.

Activists were also shown a new, one-minute UNISON film illustrating the role of equality reps: it will be released on the union’s website soon – so watch this space.

Equalities in UNISON

Bargaining and equality