PROMOTE SELF ORGANISED GROUPS (SOGs) AND THE YOUNG MEMBERS AND RETIRED MEMBERS ORGANISATIONS

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Conference
2016 National Disabled Members' Conference
Date
5 July 2016
Decision
Carried as Amended

Self Organised Groups (SOGs) and the young members and retired members organisations are the equality life blood of UNISON. A key part to achieving equality is the organisation of groups of members who face prejudice and discrimination.

Disabled members issues are trade union issues. We welcome UNISON’s continued commitment to equality and to tackling discrimination, enshrined in the union’s rules.

Disabled members find it hard enough to hold their own within the workplace, standing up for their rights against employers. From experience, disabled people are significantly more likely to experience unfair treatment at work than non-disabled people, e.g. in 2012 19% of disabled people experienced unfair treatment at work compared to 13% of non-disabled people.

All SOGs appreciate the support they receive from their branches and committees. SOGs, young members and retired members organisations can play a vital role in the life of our branches and committees by supporting and ensuring the voice of the minorities is heard. The ethos of these groups is self organisation but we are not too proud to ask for help.

This motion calls on the National Disabled Members Committee to:

1. ensure that members are aware of the SOGs and young members and retired members groups, where these exist, and to consider what they can do to support and encourage the creation of such groups, and the further development of those which do exist within their branches and regions

2. encourage groups to work and campaign together on overlapping issues, e.g. health and safety issues, or discrimination issues

3. promote regional events and national conferences to members of SOGs, young members and retired members organisations as appropriate

4. Liaise and work with the NEC and other appropriate committees to promote and strengthen SOGs within all structures of UNISON