SOLIDARITY WITH THE BRITISH JEWISH COMMUNITY

Conference condemns the deadly terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester on Yom Kippur, which resulted in the deaths of two people and hospitalisation of three others. Conference stands in solidarity with the British Jewish community against any and all acts of terrorism. Conference notes that according to a report by the Institute […]

Safety for women lone workers

Conference notes that many women members are lone workers and they often feel at risk especially at nights or in isolated situations, including when travelling to and from work. Women work shift patterns that require them to travel in the dark, they open and close buildings, visit service users homes in isolated locations and in […]

EHRC Interim Guidance and the Impact on Women Who Do Not Conform to Gender Stereotypes

Conference notes with concern the recent Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) interim guidance which risks creating confusion and division around the rights of women, particularly in workplaces. This guidance has recently been taken down from their website, however many workplaces have already started to implement its guidelines. While the guidance was presented as clarification […]

Time for a Working Women’s Charter to tackle Gender Inequality

Conference notes: There is still gender inequality affecting our women members in a number of areas according to latest research including the following: Economic ? Gender Pay Gap: While the gap has narrowed, women still earn less than men, with the overall gap in median hourly pay for full-time employees being 7.0% in April 2024. […]

Impact of the far-right on women working within public services

Conference notes that we face a steady rise of right-wing political parties, ideologies and movements across the globe, which leads to significant detrimental impacts on Black, LGBT+, disabled people and women and the struggle for equality. The combination of ideological stances, policy priorities, and the broader social and economic effects of far-right governance all have […]

Perimenopause/Menopause and mental health

Conference, it is known that the hormones that control your menstrual cycle can affect the neurotransmitter functions responsible for serotonin levels, a brain chemical that promotes feelings of well-being. When going through the peri or full menopause your oestrogen and progesterone levels drop, serotonin levels can also be affected which can contribute to depression, anxiety […]

Tackling Digital Exclusion for Women in the Workplace

Conference notes that digital technology is increasingly used in all areas of the workplace from HR systems and e-learning to rota management, payslips, communication tools, and performance monitoring. Staff in lower-paid, part-time, shift-based, or frontline roles, such as, cleaning, catering, and other manual roles are often excluded from digital systems or not provided with adequate […]

Establishing a Sustainable Funding Model for Higher Education

The Higher Education (HE) sector has a funding crisis with a reported 40% of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) being in financial deficit. Universities have responded in a number of ways to the detriment of our members. As budgets are cut HEIs are undertaking drastic cost-cutting measures, cutting courses, consolidating departments, delaying maintenance, increasing class sizes, […]

University Mergers – Not Just a Local Issue

Conference notes: 1)In September, the universities of Kent and Greenwich announced plans to merge, to form “the first-of-its-kind multi university group”; 2)Until recently, assumptions have been that mergers between universities may well take place, given the starving of funds from central government, which is well documented elsewhere; 3)The assumption would be that two universities in […]

Combating the far-right – an issue for HE

Conference notes: 1)The alarming rise in support for Reform and the fact that they now control several councils; 2)The small but not impossible prospect of them being the biggest party in the next UK general election and being able to form a government, if not on their own, in coalition; 3)The increasing mainstreaming of far-right […]

Violence against women in the workplace

Conference notes that sexual harassment primarily affects women and girls, disproportionally targeted at the most vulnerable workers. Young, Disabled, Black and LGBT+ women are most at risk as they are more likely to be marginalised in their workplace and lack power. Conference welcomes the publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) consultation on […]

Strengthening Protection Against Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Conference welcomes the introduction of the Worker Protection Act, which places a proactive duty on employers to take meaningful steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This marks a significant advancement in safeguarding workers’ rights. While this legislative change is a major achievement, much work remains to ensure its effective implementation and to address […]

Using the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map as a Tool for Progress

This conference notes with deep concern the findings of the latest ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, which ranks European countries on the basis of LGBT+ rights and protections. Britain, once a global leader in LGBT+ equality, has plummeted from 1st place in 2015 to 22nd in 2024, a place it still occupies. This alarming decline is not […]

Failing Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth in Northern Ireland

Conference notes: 1)That transgender and gender diverse young people across the United Kingdom face disproportionate levels of discrimination, poor mental health, and barriers to accessing education and healthcare. 2)That in Northern Ireland these challenges are intensified by systemic neglect from the Northern Ireland Executive and a lack of political will to protect and support transgender […]

Campaigning for LGBT+ Rights in Every Region

Conference notes: 1)LGBT+ Rights are under attack across the UK, Europe and globally. 2)UNISON organises across 12 Regions throughout the UK. 3)There are disparities across the 4 nations in LGBT+ rights, as well as within nations, for example varying entitlement to assisted conception across health trusts. 4)Often phrases such as ‘UK Law’ are used incorrectly […]