Equality Representatives

Conference welcomes the introduction of Equality Reps pilot project and believes that it will be fundamental in raising awareness of the equality duties at branch level. Conference also welcomes the announcement in the Equality Bill of the extension of the promotions of the positive duties to include sexual orientation and gender re-assignment. Conference therefore believes […]

Equality Representatives Initiative Involving Black Disabled Members

Conference welcomes the Equality Representatives initiative that will enable work to be continued in supporting black disabled members and other members facing multi-discrimination. The Black Disabled Members Caucus welcomes the equality representatives initiative which will further enable UNISON equality work to continue in supporting black and disabled members facing multi-discrimination. We call upon National Disabled […]

Cervical Cancer

Conference notes that one in 20 women experience changes to cervical cells which could lead to cancer and that 900 women die of cervical cancer in England each year. Conference acknowledges that early detection can prevent cervical cancer developing in 75% of cases and that cervical cancer has no symptoms until it is quite advanced […]

When is Hate Crime not a Hate Crime?

Conference notes that HIV/AIDS is an issue for all of UNISON members not just disabled members or LGBT members. However, Conference is aware that there are a number of LGBT members affected by HIV/AIDS – be it living with HIV or knowing someone close to them who is living with HIV. Conference is concerned that […]

Deaf Adjustments

This Conference is concerned that Deaf members do not get reasonable adjustments to carry out their work. We need time allowed to organise things such as arrange to get interpreters, deal with invoices, fill in claim forms that should be included in work hours to reduce stressful/frustrated on deaf members. We find that some Deaf […]

UNISON Equality Duty – Input to Policy for Branch Activists

Conference welcomes publication of the UNISON Equality Duty and the positive prospect of equality for all minority groups within the union’s membership, and as women form the majority of this union, disabled women suffer multiple discrimination including low pay. Disabled members along with colleagues from the other self-organising groups have consistently campaigned for not only […]

UNISON AND THE REPLACEMENT MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM (RMS)

Conference recognises the importance of identifying UNISON’s disabled membership and their access needs in order to facilitate the participation of disabled members in their union. The RMS is the main recording, mapping and organising tool of the Union at all levels. At the present time the information stored on the RMS with regard to disability […]

TRADE ORGANISATIONS AND DISA BLED PEOPLE

This Conference recognises the great strides made by disabled members self organisation to ensure this union is accessible to disabled members’ participation and involvement and the value of self organisation to help the union meet its rule book commitment to fair representation. We also recognise that much of the Code of Practice that relates to […]

NOT FOR SALE

This conference is pleased to note the research commissioned by Harriet Harman as part of her key priorities. This report published on Tuesday 29th January 2008 confirms that advertising women for sex is widespread in local and regional newspapers. Three quarters of the papers examined for the research carried advertisements for women or services offered […]

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Conference applauds the Law Lords for their landmark decision on 30 January 2008 ruling that courts will in future have discretion to extend the six-year limit for claimants in cases of deliberate assaults. Conference congratulates Mrs A for her persistence in pursuing this for 20 years and supports her in her claim for substantial damages […]

ABORTION RIGHTS

Conference notes the announcement in the Queens Speech in November 2007 that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill would start its progress through the House of Lords almost immediately and would be debated in the House of Commons in the Spring of 2008. Whilst not the primary focus of this piece of legislation, the first […]

MOVING ON UP REPORT; BANGLADESHI, PAKISTANI AND CARIBBEAN WOMEN AT WORK

Conference notes the ‘Moving On up’ report published by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) IN March 2007 which found that Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi girls obtain better GCSE grades , including Maths and English than white British boys. Yet Caribbean, Bangladeshi and Pakistani women graduates seeking work are five times more likely to be unemployed […]

BREAST CANCER PREVENTION – SAFE PRODUCTS

Widely reported is the fact that fewer than 50 per cent of breast cancer cases can be attributed to the ‘officially recognised’ risk factors understood to increase a woman’s susceptibility to breast cancer – for example late onset of menopause, body weight, diet or late age pregnancy. A growing mountain of research points the finger […]

CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT A LEGAL DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Conference applauds the decision last year to forward Motion 9 ‘Definition of Violence against Women’ to National Conference and we thank the National Women’s Committee for their work in taking forward the work contained in last year’s motion. Sadly, we were all reminded in August 2007, how our legal system fails women. On 24th August […]

VOTES FOR WOMEN – A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN ACTIVISTS

This conference notes that it is some 120 years since the inaugural meeting in the Union of Women Match Makers was held in July 27 1988, and 90 years since women over 30 and married women were given the right to vote and that Parliamentary Qualification of Women Act allowed women to be elected as […]