Tackling the social determinants of LGBT+ health and wellbeing

Conference knows that we have debated issues in relation to LGBT+ health and wellbeing on many occasions, including mental health, access to services, and training of healthcare workers on LGBT+ issues to name but a few. But sitting behind all of the disparities and health inequalities of our LGBT+ members are the fundamental social determinants […]

Support and Protection of LGBT+ People in Palestine During the Current Crisis

The ongoing crisis in Palestine has brought significant hardship and suffering to its population. The crisis requires a comprehensive and inclusive response that addresses the needs of all vulnerable populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans plus (LGBT+) people. By working with our international comrades we hope that this can be achieved by fostering a more […]

Trans Exclusionary School Guidance

Conference is saddened by the publication of the Department for Education’s guidance for teachers on how best to support pupils in school questioning their gender in December 2023. Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary at the time, said, “This guidance puts the best interests of all children first, removing any confusion about the protections that must be […]

Progressing LGBT+ equality and inclusion with the Labour Government

Conference welcomes the demise of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative government, ending fourteen years of backward steps for LGBT+ equality. We also welcome concrete commitments from the new UK Labour government to equalise the law on hate crime by extending the aggravated offence regime to anti-LGBT+ hate crime, to reducing the huge waiting-lists for LGBT+ […]

Trans rights and the new United Kingdom Government

The last Westminster government had a terrible record on trans rights, ranging from inappropriate jokes and comments to actively seeking to change the Equality Act 2010 to remove gender reassignment as a protected characteristic. The United Kingdom’s (UK) Conservative government’s final act before being voted out was to enact a ban on prescriptions of puberty […]

Unionising against HIV Stigma for 2030

Five years remain until we reach 2030, and the UK goals of zero HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) stigma and zero new cases remain both tantalisingly close and yet still so far away. Last year in Liverpool, conference passed a motion – HIV has changed, but our employers don’t know this – that has kicked into […]

Making LGBT+ self-organisation in UNISON a safe and welcoming space to all members who identify under the asexuality umbrella

Conference welcomes the new ace (asexual) and aro (aromantic) network that the national LGBT+ committee has established, called ‘The A-Spec Network’. This is believed to be the first trade union network for all those who identify under the asexuality umbrella in the United Kingdom’s (UK) trade union movement. Conference also welcomes the factsheet and awareness […]

Holding our employers to account in creating workplaces where LGBT+ workers can thrive.

Conference notes that despite the achievements of the national LGBT+ committee, our strong self organised group, and the successes in raising the profile of LGBT+ workers through the last year, the reality for many members is that our workplaces are unfit for our needs. Conference notes that the TUC survey of LGBT+ Workplace Experiences 2023 […]

Have a clear definition of transphobia, homophobia and acephobia in UNISON

Conference notes that the rulebook, as amended at the 2023 national delegate conference contains aims and objectives, sections on union democracy and antidiscrimination policies and yet in Rule Q definitions there are no clear definitions of transphobia, biphobia, homophobia or acephobia. ILGA-Europe (The European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) […]

LGBT+ Inclusion at Work – making the most of UNISON’s strength and reach

Conference notes the ‘LGBT+ Inclusion @ Work’ report from Deloitte in 2023, following a survey they completed across workplaces in 13 countries, including the UK. The report highlights its findings that less than half of respondents feel comfortable being out at work, because they are concerned about being treated differently, or may even have concerns […]

Prevention of Young Suicide

Conference notes that suicide is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 35 and in men under 50 in the UK. In 2020 over 6,000 people died by suicide in the UK and 75% of those who took their own lives were men. This equates to 16 people, 12 of […]

Work Life Balance and the right to Disconnect

There have been significant changes to working patterns and practices that have happened since the pandemic, including a large rise in remote and hybrid working, including in Energy sector employers. Greater flexibility should be welcomed where this works for staff. Some disabled women and women with caring responsibilities may find more home working a useful […]

Long term Impact of Working from Home and Hybrid Working on Energy Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work and hybrid work models, challenging traditional notions of the workplace. As we transition into a post-pandemic world, it is crucial to examine the benefits and challenges associated with these new ways of working. Since 2020 the role of working from home and hybrid working has […]

Neurodiversity and Women Members

This motion aims to further address the issue of neurodiverse women in the workplace, especially women working in the Energy sector workplaces and how they can be appropriately supported in careers. More women are being diagnosed as neurodiverse, yet many women are still waiting for tests and a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD. As a […]

Supporting Organising in Community Hybrid Workplaces

This branch has found that in many community workplaces since the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees now opt for complete homeworking or hybrid working (coming into the office two days a week) if they have the option to do so. Furthermore, many charities have closed their offices, forcing their workers to become homeworkers. Many community employers […]