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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Equalities in the Line of Fire

Conference recognises the changing economic and political climate and the impact this may have on defending and extending the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. In times of economic hardship, women, Black, Disabled and LGBT workers suffer disproportionately. This is intensified as the help offered by public services in supporting vulnerable people […]

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 […]

Cuba

Conference celebrates the impressive achievements of the Cuban people in healthcare, education, sustainable development and other areas, in this the 50th anniversary year of the Cuban revolution. Conference notes that it is less well known that there have also been significant advances in recent years in the field of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) […]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People in Public Life

Conference affirms the improvements made to LGBT equality in the last five years and welcomes the progress made in raising the profile of LGBT participation in our union. UNISON has always been at the forefront of the equality agenda and we can be proud of our achievements in continuing to support and encourage self organisation […]

Male Rape – Issues of Reporting and Accessing Services

This Conference expresses its disgust at all forms of sexual assault. Victims of such crimes deserve to be fully supported, treated with dignity and respect, and to receive the full protection of the law. Conference notes that sex attacks on men could be reported inconsistently; therefore male rape victims often remain invisible and unsupported. Conference […]

Campaign in the Media and Press for a more positive image of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People

Conference accepts that over the last decade the profile of LGBT people in public life has increased and there is more recognition of the equal rights of LGBT people within UK society. However, we know that despite these strides, the images of LGBT people in the media and press is still couched in stereotype and […]

Working Against the Far Right

Conference recognises the hard work and achievement UNISON activists have made in combating the rise of the far right. The campaign heavily focused on the discriminatory and criminal nature of the far right, especially in terms of their racist policies, statements and actions carried out by far right group members. We know that far right […]