Conference celebrates the recent successes in working towards lesbian and gay (L&G) equality. In particular we have seen the introduction of an equal age of consent, implementation of the Human Rights Act, protection against workplace discrimination, improved tenancy and adoption rights, the repeal of Section 28, the repeal of discriminatory sexual offences legislation and the […]
Conference motions
Conference welcomes the union’s continuing commitment to developing an organising culture, and the priority being given to work aimed at increasing participation of members in union activity, at all levels, and improving workplace organisation. Conference believes that improving workplace organisation depends on the union’s ability to recruit more members, and to attract more members to […]
Conference is concerned that disabled lesbian and gay members were excluded from having a network day under the auspices of the National Disabled Members’ Committee (NDMC), although disabled black members had an equivalent meeting organised for them by the NDMC on 13th September 2003. Conference calls upon the National Lesbian and Gay Committee to make […]
Conference notes: 1.Jamaica is one of over 70 countries where gay men and lesbians face persecution and death – either perpetrated or condoned by the national government; 2.homophobia is rife on the island (although many Jamaicans are not bigots); 3.there have been numerous reports and testimonies highlighting brutal violent attacks on lesbians and gay men. […]
Conference reaffirms its commitment to UNISON’s international work. Within the global economy, international co-operation and solidarity results in significant social, economic and political benefits for workers in the UK and abroad. Recent examples of successful co-operation with trade unions in other countries include: ·London Electricity’s reinstatement of recognition of UNISON at its Doxford site after […]
Conference recognises with serious concern that lesbians and gay men face persecution, imprisonment and death in over 70 countries world-wide. Conference further recognises that 1.issues related to sexual identity are often not accepted as legitimate reasons for seeking asylum in British immigration and asylum legislation; 2.certain countries designated as “safe” by the Government have an […]
Conference welcomes the comprehensive consultation exercise on a possible extension of the lesbian and gay group to include bisexual and transgender members and the report that has been produced as result of that exercise. This Conference believes the UNISON lesbian and gay self-organised group should become a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender self-organised group, and […]
Conference welcomes the end of Section 28, which was finally repealed receiving royal assent on September 18th, and notes the very long campaign for its repeal amongst the lesbian and gay (L&G) community and the broader labour movement. Conference in particular highlights the role played by trade unions in keeping up the pressure on the […]
Conference notes that: 1.the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) forbids discrimination against married persons but offers no equivalent protection to unmarried persons; although, 2.the Equal Treatment Directive may protect married and unmarried persons equally from discrimination. Conference considers this is an “Achilles Heel” which may undermine legislation intended to promote equality for lesbians and gay men. […]
Conference welcomes the progress this self-organised group (SOG) has made and has sustained towards achieving proportionality in its structure and towards achieving fair representation with respect to race and disability. Conference considers that this progress has resulted from specific structures, requirements and mechanisms applied rigorously and consistently and adequately resourced. It does not consider that […]
This Conference notes that: 1.following each National Lesbian and Gay Conference the National Lesbian and Gay Committee (NLGC) prepares an action plan on the decisions of Conference (Conference Action Report) which includes action points for branch and regional lesbian and gay (L&G) groups. However, this document is drawn up on the basis of the action […]
Conference notes that: 1. in 2001 the Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Council was enlarged to include three new sections, H, I and J, each consisting of one seat and representing, respectively, trade unionists with disabilities, lesbian and gay trade unionists and trade unionists under 27 years of age. In 2002 bisexual and transgender trade […]
This Conference deplores the use of language in certain parts of the media and the Government which only provides fuel for racists such as the British National Party (BNP) to pour onto the fire that is currently burning in this country. In this, UNISON’s 10th anniversary year, Conference believes that we must all fight to […]
Conference notes that young lesbians and gay men are six times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They are also more likely to succeed so they account for over half of actual youth suicide in the UK. Conference therefore welcomes the (almost certain) repeal of Section 28 as the single most effective […]
Conference notes the Government’s disgraceful and hypocritical failure to ensure that the 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations will redress the pensions discrimination suffered by lesbians and gay men in public sector pay schemes. The Government has argued that this is because of the pension schemes cannot ‘afford’ to pay lesbians and gay men equal […]