TRANSPHOBIA HARMS CHILDREN TOO

Conference notes with concern the negative impact that transphobic bullying and restrictive gender stereotypes can have upon children of all ages who: 1.Self-identify as transgender; 2.Self-identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 3.Appear to be gender variant in any way (often labelled as ‘tomboy’, sissy’, ‘butch’ or ‘camp’); 4.Have a parent or other family member who […]

EQUALITY IS FUNDAMENTAL

Conference believes that equality is fundamental and that members represented by our self-organised groups and young members organisation may face particular barriers in the workplace and in getting involved and active in our union. Indeed many members face multiple barriers. Conference notes that the introduction of the public sector equality duties has seen some improvements […]

EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PEOPLE

Conference welcomes recent legislation aimed at ensuring more equal access to goods facilities and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – especially as this also means more equal access to healthcare provision. But these are only recent legislative changes, and many reports highlight the entrenched disparities in the provision of health services for […]

ENSURING NON-DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE PROVISION

This conference notes with regret the decision of the Employment Tribunal in the case of Ms L Ladele v London Borough of Islington (2203694/2007 July 2008). Ms Ladele, a Registrar in Islington, refused to officiate at Civil Partnership ceremonies on the grounds of her expressed Christian belief. The Tribunal found that she could not reconcile […]

NON-DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLICLY FUNDED SERVICES

Conference notes that some high profile media coverage of a 2008 employment tribunal judgment suggested that civil registrars were not obliged to carry out civil partnership ceremonies if that contravened their religious beliefs. The Tribunal found in favour of an Islington Registrar who refused to officiate at Civil Partnership ceremonies on the grounds of her […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ELDER ABUSE IN CARE HOMES

The human rights now enshrined in legislation should affirm the equal dignity and worth, to which we are all entitled, but the human rights of our sector of society are daily and routinely violated and this needs to be stopped. Elder abuse is a shameful by-product of age discrimination and as such is totally unacceptable. […]

A NATIONWIDE CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL SCHEME

Conference will be aware that the Concessionary Bus Travel Act (CBT) 2007 came into force on 1 April 2008. The Act provides free, off-peak travel (valid between 9.30am-11pm weekdays and at all times on weekends and Bank Holidays) for pensioners and disabled people in England. This has been welcomed by pensioners but there have been […]

FUEL POVERTY

In the March 2008 Budget, Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, did not totally ignore the plight of pensioners and increased the fuel allowance by £50 to £250, a one-off payment to be paid in the autumn. But the Budget has once again failed to deliver on the eradication of pensioner poverty. Because of rapidly […]

THE CENTENARY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STATE PENSION 1909 TO 2009 – THE NEED TO STILL IMPROVE STATE PENSION PROVISION

Conference notes the work that was undertaken by UNISON to mark the centenary of the May 1908 Old Age Pensions Act. This highlighted the proud role that trade unions played in the struggle to establish the older generation’s right to an adequate income and dignity in their later years. As a result of the Act, […]