Work Experience Schemes and Other Unpaid Work

Conference notes that: 1. The economic recession that began in 2008 has had profound effects upon the labour market leading to growing inequality and a growing distinction between “core” and “peripheral” workers. Among the worst affected are young workers and workers already subject to prejudice and discrimination on grounds including disability, gender, gender identity, race, […]

Hate crime: not just one target

Conference notes that hate crime continues to blight the lives of too many people, affecting them at work, in their homes and as they go about their lives. Conference acknowledges the work done by UNISON, by individual activists and by our community groups to highlight the extent and effect of hate crime, the limitations of […]

Harassment and hate crime at work

Conference notes the 2011 report ‘Insight into ill-treatment in the workplace’ funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and supported by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and Equality and Human Rights Commission. This reported that just under half the British workforce had experienced unreasonable treatment at work over a two year period. It […]

LGBT and sex worker organising and the fight against HIV

Conference notes that the Global Commission on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and the Law’s 2012 landmark report “HIV and the Law: Risks, Rights & Health” presented compelling evidence that laws that protect human rights strengthen AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) responses. Its recommendations relating to the most-at-risk populations in terms of HIV, including men who have […]

Equal marriage – keeping up the pressure

Conference notes that there has been significant progress towards equality in marriage and civil partnership but the job is by no means done. Conference welcomes: 1. The concessions and pledges achieved during the passage of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act for England and Wales, including on the reviews of civil partnership and surviving partner […]

In – Out: Why Europe Matters – LGBT Equality in Europe

Conference notes that in 2008, ILGA-Europe (The European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association) and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) proposed a Horizontal Directive, banning discrimination in goods and services on grounds of age, disability, religion/belief and sexual orientation. One of the many benefits of a single legislative approach […]

Bargaining against the bullies

Conference notes with concern the rise in bullying and harassment in the workplace as a predictable consequence of cuts to public services. Increasing budgetary pressures lead to top down pressure on managers to achieve greater output from an increasingly over-stretched workforce. Bullying and harassment of staff follows all too often. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) […]

Fighting the cuts, finding the evidence

Conference notes that there have been many anecdotal reports of the disproportionate impact of the government’s austerity measures on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people but a lack of hard evidence to date. Conference therefore welcomes the support of UNISON’s General Political Fund (GPF) in funding the national LGBT group to commission research in […]

Engaging retired members

Conference recognises that UNISON has many retired members, and these numbers are growing year on year. Conference believes that retired members bring huge value to self organisation: strengthening our voice and campaigns and retaining the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members when they retire. Further, retired members gain from their continued involvement […]

LGBT monitoring of UNISON structures and activities

Conference notes that UNISON has always been cautious about monitoring sexual orientation and gender identity, particularly in our workplaces. It is understandable that some individuals still consider their sexual orientation and gender identity to be ‘private’ for monitoring purposes and have concerns about possible discrimination if they declare their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender […]

Building a stronger union – recruiting and organising lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members

Conference congratulates regional and branch lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups and the caucuses on the work they have done to recruit new members into UNISON. We all welcome UNISON’s major recruitment drive to strengthen our union, to enable us to better defend our members and to campaign even more effectively. Conference believes national […]

Zero tolerance of biphobia

Conference notes the continuing high levels of biphobia at work and in society. Research published in May 2013, which many UNISON members participated in, showed that bisexual people experience even higher levels of discrimination at work than gay men. Bisexual people are much more likely to feel they have to hide their sexual orientation at […]

Alcohol and drugs – a workplace issue

Conference notes that the hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and drugs is an issue for our diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, which impacts on our working lives. ‘Part of the Picture’ – a five year research project (2009-2014) by the Lesbian and Gay Foundation and University of Central Lancashire – has […]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Conference celebrates the passing into law of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 as being yet another landmark on the road to full equality for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. However, Conference recognises that there are three items of unfinished business contained in the Act. Section 15 has instituted a review […]

Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Young People

Conference acknowledges the excellent work already undertaken by the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee to raise the awareness of issues faced by LGBT members. Unfortunately, LGBT members are still facing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and our young people particularly suffer from bullying within education. We still hear about LGBT young people being […]