Palestine

Conference welcomes the adoption by 2009 TUC Congress of a motion proposed by the Fire Brigades Union and a statement from the General Council, condemning the Israeli offensive on Gaza and its continuing blockade on the territory, calling for a negotiated settlement based on international law and justice for the Palestinians, and committing to work […]

Defending the Human Rights Act

Conference is appalled that the Conservatives have stated their intention to repeal the Human Rights Act (HRA). It will come as no surprise that the same intention is included the BNP’s manifesto. Conference notes the important role that the HRA plays in organising, bargaining and negotiating on behalf of trade union members, for example: 1.Article […]

Anti Racism and Anti Disabilism Training for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members

Conference notes that there is a lack of understanding around language and terminology that impacts on awareness, accessibility and other issues facing our Black and Disabled LGBT members. Conference therefore instructs the National LGBT Committee to hold separate training sessions for members of the National Committee addressing these concerns. Conference also urges regional LGBT groups […]

Celebrating our History

Conference acknowledges the importance of knowing our history and notes the growth in the marking of Black history month and – to a lesser extent – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history month in education institutions and community venues. While noting that such ‘months’ can help raise awareness where there is none, conference believes […]

Stop the Deportation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Asylum Seekers

Conferences notes: 1. A number of recent cases in which LGBT asylum seekers have been deported or threatened with deportation to countries, including Iran and Nigeria, where homosexuality is treated as a crime punishable by sentences including the death penalty or where trans people face persecution and violence; 2. That the British Government has argued […]

Disabled Members Against the British National Party (BNP)

Conference is concerned at the rise of the BNP and other far-right groups and that they are organising throughout the UK claiming to be the voice of British people. Conference affirms that we will not sit back and be complacent which is what has led to the successful organisation of the far-right into mainstream politics […]

Training for Registrars in Marriage, Civil Partnerships and Gender Recognition

Conference notes that there is growing awareness of the difficulties facing trans people who are married should they wish to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate. However, Conference notes that there is less awareness of the problems trans people face if they decide to annul their marriage in order to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, and […]

Smashing the Far Right

Conference notes the alarming results of the 2009 County Council and European Parliamentary elections. The British National Party (BNP) gained three county council seats. The BNP also had its first success in the European Elections, winning two seats, giving access to funding of more than a million pounds to spread their fascist propaganda. The BNP […]

Public Sector Equality Duties and the Bargaining Agenda

Conference notes that the Equality Bill, which applies in England, Scotland and Wales, was introduced into Parliament on 24th April 2009. The Bill builds upon the public sector equality duties for gender, race and disability, incorporating them into a single equality duty, but also extends this to cover age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy […]

Bicon 2010

Conference notes that BiCon is an annual weekend-long gathering for bi people, their friends, partners, and others with a supportive interest in bisexuality. UNISON has been an active participant at BiCon for the last three years, providing advice on employment rights, promoting UNISON and recruiting workers into our union. Conference welcomes the fact that in […]

Pension Rights for Civil Partners

Conference notes that the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is discriminatory in that the widow’s pension entitlement is potentially greater than that for the widowers and civil partners. We therefore call for the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee to investigate the current situation with respect to LGPS and other pension schemes, reporting […]

Challenging Transphobic NHS Policies and Funding Cuts

Conference welcomes the hard work of many UNISON members around the UK in being strong allies for transgender rights and equality. Of particular note is the tireless work of members of the Cymru/Wales Region in regard to challenging transphobic NHS policies and funding restrictions. Progress is finally being made to ensure that trans people living […]

Carry on Recruiting

Conference recognises that the low level of union membership in many employers in the public services undermines UNISON’s bargaining power at local and national level. Increasing the number of UNISON members is vital to our future as a vibrant and effective trade union. Recruitment is fundamental to the fight for equality. We need to grow […]

Backing the Fight for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Human Rights in Turkey

Conference notes that although being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is not criminalised in Turkey, persecution of LGBT people is commonplace. In its annual report, Amnesty International states that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity persists, as do allegations of violence by law enforcement agents against transgender people. Hate crimes against LGBT people […]

Funding of Places

It has come to our attention that some branches are being obstructive in their support for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) brothers and sisters by claiming the branch can only afford to send one member to conference every second year, based on the fair representation rules, or because of financial hardship. Conference therefore […]