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, […]
Conference motions
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Conference condemns the ever increasing amount of disappearing bus services from Britain’s roads and the consequent impact on UNISON members employed in the public transport industry. This is due to the Government’s cuts agenda. Services are disappearing and fares are increasing, leaving the most vulnerable and those on low incomes more isolated and disadvantaged. There […]