LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE

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Conference
2004 National Lesbian & Gay Conference
Date
24 September 2004
Decision
Carried

Conference welcomes the increased profile of lesbian and gay workplace issues in the work of many parts of our union, while acknowledging that there is still much to be done. Conference recognises that UNISON’s ability to organise, negotiate and campaign effectively on equality issues flows directly from its commitment to self-organisation.

Conference notes that since the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 came into force, advice on employment issues must address bisexual workers as well as lesbian and gay workers, but that this is not always reflected in our publicity or negotiations.

Conference also notes that there is still much to do to build awareness of employment issues facing transgender workers and to ensure all parts of the union address transgender equality.

Conference believes that the way forward is to promote an inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equalities agenda, without losing clarity on the distinct issues facing these groups of workers, or the diversity of the LGBT community.

Conference therefore instructs the NEC and to work with the service group executives to make sure that UNISON’s equalities work fully reflects issues of concern to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.

This should include:

1.Recognising the need for collective agreements at local and national level to include bisexual and transgender members;

2.Pressing employers at national and local level to ensure that anti discrimination training covers bisexual and transgender members;

3.Training for UNISON stewards on workplace issues affecting bisexual and transgender members;

4.Including the needs of bisexual and transgender members in work on service delivery;

5.Inclusive language when referring to the LGBT community and issues.