Equalities grow our union

Conference notes that UNISON members are under sustained and constant attack by the United Kingdom (UK) Government. From spiralling cost of living to services we rely on most disappearing, the UK Tory Government’s attacks on our members are leaving many to feel isolated and weary. There is only one way to combat these attacks – […]

Justice for Palestine

Conference welcomes the comprehensive Amnesty International report, Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime against Humanity, which sets out how massive seizures of Palestinian land and property, unlawful killings, forcible transfer, drastic movement restrictions, and the denial of nationality and citizenship to Palestinians are all components of a system which amounts to […]

BLACK LGBT+ ACTIVISM

Conference is concerned at the low level of Black LGBT+ activism within UNISON structures at branch, regional and national level. Recruitment and training can play a crucial role in increasing Black LGBT+ participation. Black LGBT+ members have vital contributions to make to ensuring that UNISON remains truly diverse and inclusive in all aspects of trade […]

MAKE 2024 THE YEAR OF LGBT+ WORKERS

Conference believes that one of UNISON’s strengths lies in its recognition of the value and unique experiences lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) people bring to the workplace and to our union and commends the work of UNISON’s LGBT+ committee to raise the profile of our LGBT+ members across the United Kingdom (UK). Conference […]

Rwanda and LGBT+ asylum

Conference notes with alarm the United Kingdom’s (UK) Conservative Government’s policy to remove LGBT+ refugees to Rwanda while their claim is being processed, as part of a wider policy. Conference acknowledges Rwanda has agreed the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and the UN Report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity […]

MAKE 2024 THE YEAR OF LGBT+ WORKERS

Conference believes that one of UNISON’s strengths lies in its recognition of the value and unique experiences LGBT+ people bring to the workplace and to our union and commends the work of UNISON’s LGBT+ committee to raise the profile of its LGBT+ membership across the United Kingdom (UK). Conference notes that some LGBT+ people still […]

SUPPORTING YOUNG TRANS WORKERS IN UNISON

Conference notes the excellent work done by the national LGBT+ committee in strongly campaigning for the rights of trans and non-binary workers. Conference believes UNISON has led the way across our movement in defending the rights of trans workers and celebrating the importance of trans and non-binary people in the trade union movement. Nonetheless, conference […]

MAKE 2024 THE YEAR OF LGBT+ WORKERS

Conference acknowledges that one of UNISON’s strengths lies in its recognition of the value and unique experiences LGBT+ people bring to the workplace and to our union and commends the work of UNISON’s LGBT+ committee to raise the profile of its LGBT+ membership across the United Kingdom (UK). Despite the work that has been done […]

WE MUST STRIVE FOR REAL AND MEANINGFUL LGBT+ DATA

Conference recognises that we support many organisations to develop comprehensive anti-discrimination policies, learning programmes etc. Yet even here, evidence confirms that more is needed, to properly address the unacceptable discrimination, violence, bullying, harassment, suicide and mental health challenges many LGBT+ people experience. Conference knows LGBT+ is an area with conflicting approaches and opinions – and […]

IN SUPPORT OF GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS AND CHANGING FACILITIES

Conference recognises the need for inclusiveness for our LGBT+ members in the workplace. We commend the strong position taken by members at national delegate conference in passing the motion ‘Trans Equality – Louder and Prouder’ and recognise the commitment in UNISON’s recently updated Trans Equality Model Policy to the provision of gender neutral toilets. Many […]

INCREASING BISEXUAL+ ENGAGEMENT IN OUR SELF-ORGANISED GROUP

Conference is concerned at the decreasing level of bisexual+ (bi+) engagement within UNISON structures at branch, regional and national level. At this year’s bi+ network meeting, attendance was significantly lower than previous years, especially from members with multiple identities. It is crucial that we not only understand this decline in bi+ activism and engagement, but […]

IMMEDIATE BAN ON ALL FORMS OF CONVERSION THERAPY

Conference notes with regret that although the United Kingdom (UK) Government has proposed a ban on conversion therapy for sexual orientation, it remains in place for gender identity and/or gender expression in adults ‘if they’ve consented and haven’t been coerced.’ Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice which attempts to repress or change the sexual orientation […]

Violence Against Disabled Women and Domestic Abuse

Conference notes recent advice from the Metropolitan Police force that women should “run away” if they feel unsafe in the presence of a lone police officer in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2020. Not only is this advice discriminatory towards disabled women, but it also fails to address the root […]

Mentoring and Developing Grassroots Women of Unison

Unison is committed to proportionality for women but the reality is that in many branches this does not happen. By the time women have done their jobs, looked after the children and their homes, checked on their elderly parents and helped with homework, there is little time to sit and map out what they need […]

Menopause and Black women

Research suggests that there may be some variations for Black women in the average age at which the menopause takes place between women of different ethnic backgrounds. Some studies suggest that symptoms may be more prevalent and more severe for Black women, although research is not yet clear on the reasons for this. Black women […]