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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Training.

Conference will be aware that many personal care services formerly provided by local authorities to the elderly are now contracted out to private providers. We have serious concerns regarding the level of training given to those staff in the private sector. We are equally concerned that with the increasing workloads and subsequent sickness levels experienced […]

DOMESTIC ABUSE, MALE VIOLENCE AND THE ROLE OF UNISON

Conference notes: 1. The majority of domestic abuse is perpetrated by men against women. According to data in the 2011/12 Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), 31% of women and 18% of men had experienced any domestic abuse since the age of 16; 2. Women are far more likely to be victims of sexual […]

EXPORT EMBARGO

Conference believes that some things should never be exported as they can cause problems in the country they are exported to. Animals, reptiles and amphibians can cause untold damage in an ecosystem where they don’t belong. Conference is certain that the same is true for laws and legislation. What works well in one country will […]

THE ‘F’ WORD

Conference believes: Feminism has been and remains instrumental in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) liberation as well as in the wider struggle for equalities. Feminism plays a vital role in the creation of and structures of the LGBT movement and as such feminism is not confined to the women’s movement. Conference believes that we […]

Privatisation of public services and TUPE

Increasing privatisation of our public services means that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members are being transferred into the employment of the private sector. For many, TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection in Employment Regulations) has been a saviour to maintaining hard won employment terms and conditions and the protection from discrimination, with sound […]

Gender Equality Solidarity initiatives the first step in raising awareness for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equality?

UNISON has long campaigned for the rights of Palestinian people, and works with trade unions, labour organisations and human rights groups in implementing its policy. More recently, UNISON has supported unions in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) who are working to ensure that their role as civil society organisations is […]

INEQUALITY IN EQUAL MARRIAGE

Conference celebrates the historic moment when, on Wednesday, 17 July 2013, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was given Royal Assent and became an Act, and is already choosing hats for the first same-sex weddings due during 2014. Yet, despite the rhetoric from the Con-Dem government, all is not yet equal and the fight for […]

Stop legal aid cuts for LGBT asylum seekers

Conference notes the human rights abuses perpetrated within the country of origin of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who make asylum applications in the United Kingdom (UK). It also acknowledges the serious failings of the UK Borders and Immigration Agency to appropriately process and investigate such applications. All LGBT asylum seekers therefore need […]

Mental Health Issues for LGBT People

Conference notes that: 1. One in four people experience mental health issues at some point in their lives, but there is still a lot of stigma associated with mental health impairments, making many people unwilling to disclose mental health issues in the workplace; 2. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people still face high levels […]

Hate Crime – We Must Report It

Conference notes that it is easy to be complacent about strides forward in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. In the last 10 years employment rights, civil partnerships, changes to adoption law and the removal of Section 28 have all dramatically changed the lives of LGBT people across the country. Yet, despite this we […]

Living Wage

Conference recognises the success of the campaigns to achieve the Living Wage in councils and notes that the pay offer from the Scottish employers for 2013 included a Living Wage for all 32 councils in Scotland of a Living wage of at least £7.50. Conference notes however that not all councils have agreed to pay […]

Local Government Funding Cuts

Conference is alarmed that many Councils have faced unprecedented reductions in Government grants since the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review. Since then, the position has deteriorated for local government with many councils now forecasting that central Government support over the six year period 2011-2017 will see reductions in excess of £100m. The December 2012 Autumn Statement […]