LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE

Conference welcomes the increased profile of lesbian and gay workplace issues in the work of many parts of our union, while acknowledging that there is still much to be done. Conference recognises that UNISON’s ability to organise, negotiate and campaign effectively on equality issues flows directly from its commitment to self-organisation. Conference notes that since […]

EXTENDING OUR EQUALITY WORK

Conference welcomes the gains made by UNISON towards winning equality for lesbian and gay workers organised within the local government service group and in the provision of local government services which recognise and meet the needs of lesbian and gay service users. However, Conference acknowledges that there is still much to be done and that […]

TRADES UNION CONGRESS GENERAL COUNCIL

Conference notes that, following earlier changes to secure the representation of black workers, in 2001 the Trades Union Congress General Council was further enlarged to include three new sections, H, I and J, representing respectively trades unionists with disabilities, lesbian and gay trades unionists and trades unionists under 27 years of age. In 2002 bisexual […]

ASYLUM IN THE UK

Conference notes with concern the rise in attacks on asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Conference condemns those politicians and media whose use of stereotypes and myths create a climate in which attacks on asylum seekers and the abuse of their human rights is seen as a valid response. Recent reports by Oxfam Scotland […]

FALSE ALLEGATIONS

Many of us have fought for years for years for equality in all areas. We have had some successes, including some excellent employment laws. However, as many lesbians and gay men are aware, these laws can sometimes be used against us and when they are there is very little in the way of information and […]

FULL EQUALITY IN PARTNERSHIP RIGHTS

Conference welcomes the Civil Partnership Bill, but believes it falls short of full equality. Conference therefore calls for the following: 1.Both marriage and civil partnership should be available to both same and opposite partners; 2.There should be legal recognition for same and opposite partners who are either unable or unwilling to register or marry; 3.Equality […]

SUPPORTING DVERSITY REPRESENTATION THROUGH CULTURAL EVENTS

Conference congratulates the North West Region for its support to the production and premier of Arek (a film about holocaust survival). Conference notes that the film omitted to portray the full range of diverse peoples targeted by the holocaust, including trade unionists, lesbians and gay men, Roma people and others. Conference congratulates the City and […]

SO1 – APPLICATION OF STANDING ORDERS

In Standing Order 1.2, delete first sentence and replace with: ‘The Standing Orders may be changed by Conference approving, with a two-thirds majority of those people present and voting, a motion which has appeared on both the preliminary and final Conference agendas, except for motions from the Black and Disabled Members Caucuses, which may only […]

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Conference notes with grave concern that in July 2000, Kent County Council banned the publishing, purchasing or distributing of material which “promote gay lifestyles” in its 600 schools, in anticipation of the repeal of Section 28 in England and Wales. It is unfortunate that since the repeal of Section 28 in England and Wales late […]

TRADES UNION CONGRESS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER CONFERENCE

Conference recalls last year’s resolution calling upon the Trades Union Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (TUC LGB&T) Committee to review whether arrangements for its annual conference best meet the needs of the maximum number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender trades unionists. Conference notes that UNISON raised this with the TUC which decided not […]

SEXUAL ORIENTATION REGULATIONS PUBLICITY – STONEWALL

Conference expresses it’s concern that the publicity material produced by Stonewall “Discrimination at work, It’s so over” funded by the DTI makes little reference to the role in which the trade union movement can play in enforcing the Sexual Orientation Regulations. Conference instructs the NLGC to work with Stonewall and the TUC (including the WTUC), […]

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS BILL – PENSION PROPOSALS

This Conference welcomes the proposed legislation to establish Civil Partnerships, and believes that this will constitute a positive step forward in the legal recognition of our relationships. However, Conference is concerned that some of the proposals for survivor pensions are flawed and need revision. Conference believes: 1.Where a final salary scheme provides a spouse’s pension, […]

ORGANISING FOR LEARNING

The 2002 Employment Act gave lifelong Learning Advisers and Union Learning Representatives the same statutory rights as Stewards and Health and Safety Representatives. During the same year, UNISON rolled out a Union Learning Fund project aimed at developing UNISON’s capacity to organise around learning via a network of well trained and supported learning advisers and […]

ENSURING UNBLOCKED ACCESS TO SUITABLE EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS

Conference commends the progress made by the NLGC in its work with the Government and other organisations on last year’s recommendations to do with improving the range and availability of educational materials for young lesbians and gay men in schools and youth groups. Conference also welcomes the passing, at this year’s National Delegates Conference, of […]

JAMAICA – STOP THE HOMOPHOBIA

This Conference deplores the vicious murder of Brian Williamson in June 2004. Mr Williamson was one of the founder members of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), which seeks to achieve equality for all in Jamaica’s society. Conference further deplores the attacks by an active minority in the private homes of gay […]