Conference notes that as we approach the third year of this Tory-led government’s attack on public service workers and failed austerity measures, swathes of workers face worsening terms and conditions. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are affected like any other worker, as pay and conditions are undermined. But the impact on terms and […]
Conference motions
Conference recognises the plethora of events, regionally, nationally and internationally that are now taking place on an annual basis. We recognise that UNISON has a number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events that are supported or UNISON LGBT members are an active ingredient in their success. Therefore we ask the National LGBT Committee […]
Conference notes with deep concern moves in the Ukrainian parliament for a bill restricting the distribution of and access to information “promoting homosexuality”. The bill would amend several laws including the law on protection of public morals, the law on print media, the law on television and radio broadcasting, the law on publishing and the […]
Pride represents a vibrant celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life in the United Kingdom (UK); it also makes an important political statement. At its core, it’s also about recognising and respecting the rights of all people to freely express their sexual identity without fear of discrimination or persecution. Pride offers a unique […]
Conference notes the poor turn out in the May 2012 Local Government elections. In past elections far right candidates have won council seats by organising their supporters to vote while many ordinary voters, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), have stayed away from the ballot box and not used their […]
Conference recalls motion 10 carried at 2010 UNISON lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Conference which noted the anomaly in the self-organised group’s (SOG) structure that, whereas at branch level and at open meetings at other levels LGBT retired members may take part and speak for themselves, at this conference they are silenced and must […]
Conference believes that transphobia and bullying of trans people can still be common place in our workplaces and society, but unfortunately it can sometimes occur within in our union. Many transgender workers face a difficult time at work, but when they turn to their trade union they expect a much better response. Conference it seems […]
Conference notes that current proposals to reform the House of Lords include retaining automatic seats for twelve Church of England Bishops. Conference finds such a proposal a ludicrous affront to equality since it amounts to reserving seats in parliament for heterosexual men and celibate gay and bisexual men. Conference also notes the negative role the […]
The Eastern Region is a large mainly rural area including Norfolk, which is the sixth most deprived county in England. Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Kings Lynn and Thetford are ranked in the top 10% of most deprived areas in England, based on the Index of Deprivation. There are also hidden pockets of deprivation scattered across the […]
Gay men in Scotland are nearly eight times more likely to have attempted suicide in the last year and four times more likely to have taken drugs than heterosexual men, according to a survey by Stonewall Scotland from earlier this year. The survey of gay and bisexual men’s health found that 3% of gay men […]
Conference is concerned that changes to the level of grants paid to Local Authorities for Concessionary Travel on buses will lead to more cuts to public services. There were two types of concessionary bus fares. The statutory concession that local authorities must provide is free bus travel for people over 65 and disabled people on […]
Conference acknowledges that many of the cuts in public services have hit rural communities, already poorly served, harder than urban areas. Conference reaffirms that the position of disabled people living in rural communities is particularly disadvantageous partly due to the fact that they are often on a lower income and also more reliant on public […]
This Conference reaffirms UNISON’s policy position to support the Social Model of Disability as the appropriate interpretation of the cause of exclusion, discrimination and barriers that prevent equal participation of disabled people in society. We object to this Government’s austerity measures as the solution to economic recovery which are causing a retrograde position for disabled […]
This Conference is concerned that government claims it is aiming to improve work opportunities for disabled people as part of its overall welfare reform strategy by expanding the number of volunteer opportunities as a route into paid work and by improving young people’s opportunity to access the skilled labour market through apprenticeship schemes; neither unpaid […]
This conference notes the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance for employers on workplace risk assessments for workers with disabilities or long-term health conditions, which includes the following advice: • Involve disabled applicants and employees – appreciate the skills and insight they may have to find the best outcome; • Work together with disabled applicants and […]