- Conference
- 2024 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 17 July 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Conference, the safety for LGBT+ people in public services is at stake. As LGBT+ rights gain momentum globally, many countries are pushing back with stringent legal measures. From the United States of America’s (USA) controversial laws to Uganda’s life-threatening penalties, the battle for our rights has increased in visibility and is far from over.
We cannot become complacent when LGBT+ rights are being eroded in the very countries that affiliate to Public Services International (PSI) and purport to have the same values on equality that we in UNISON have. We are strongest and most effective when standing together regardless of our differences. Powerful forces seek to divide workers and vilify LGBT+ people as a distraction from issues like corruption, inequality, and failed neoliberal policies.
Violence and harassment in the world of work is a daily reality for millions of workers across the world and has devastating impacts for those affected. Gender-based violence and harassment is the most widespread form of violence and harassment affecting women disproportionately. Vulnerable groups and workers with intersectional identities also face increased exposure to violence and harassment. LGBT+ people are one of these vulnerable groups. Across the world of work, LGBT+ workers face harassment, violence, and discrimination because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics. This discrimination remains a canker for continuing inequality in society and at work and is one of the major challenges facing the labour movement globally.
PSI (Public Services International) is the global union federation that represents 700 trade union affiliates in 154 countries and currently represents 30 million working people. We know that there are a significant number of LGBT+ workers globally working in public services, and silence to condemn violence, torture and even death against our siblings implies complicity.
We welcome progress in International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) recognition of LGBT+ workplace discrimination and the actions taken to address it. ITUC LGBT+ policy was strengthened because of UNISON’s advocacy via the British Trades Union Congress. ETUC has moved beyond policy directives by inclusive education and support programmes. The ILO recognises sexual orientation in its education and outreach efforts. ITUC works co-operatively with global unions to advance LGBT+ equality. The Global Union Federations (GUF) have developed active LGBT+ campaigns to educate members, provide support and drive policy development.
Solidarity, working together to resist and challenge employers and governments while building strong movements to achieve social and economic justice for all is our call for full equality.
Conference, we ask the national LGBT+ committee to:
1)continue to work with the appropriate structures within UNISON to advocate the importance of LGBT+ equality to PSI and other international partners
2)encourage all UNISON international delegations to be proactive and vocal in the support for global LGBT+ equality.