FALSE ALLEGATIONS

Many of us have fought 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 support. Take […]

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, […]

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 […]

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST POTENTIAL BLOOD DONORS

This Conference is dismayed that gay and bisexual men are still discriminated against by the National Blood Service, by being denied the opportunity to give blood. Conference is concerned that this is perpetuating an unwelcome and damaging myth that all gay and bisexual men present a danger to the health of others when, in fact, […]

ILGA EUROPE

Conference congratulates UNISON for it’s participation in ILGA Europe and recognises the important role ILGA Europe has in advising and campaigning on behalf of the citizens of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Conference recognises that as the European Union states have developed that the constitutional structure of the UK has also developed into […]

Pensioner Poverty Trap

Conference calls upon the National Executive Council to take appropriate steps to ensure that the government addresses the issue of the erosion of pensioners’ increases by the high annual increase to such charges as council tax and public utilities. Conference also notes that UNISON has established a council tax working group to establish clear UNISON […]

National Incentive Recruitment Campaign

This Conference regrets our very successful national incentive recruitment campaign has been replaced by Best Organised branch due to funding issues. Recruitment is a lay member activity and its success is crucial to the continuation of UNISON as an effective representative organisation. Conference therefore welcomes the NEC’s decision to make recruitment a national priority this […]

Offshoring

Conference notes that the TUC estimates that between 150,000 and 200,000 jobs could be at risk in the private service sector due to work being offshored. Conference believes that offshoring on the scale envisaged is not inevitable but while it is happening the priority must be to defend our member’s jobs. Therefore we welcome work […]

Celebrating Our Milestones and Challenging Inequality

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 […]

Raising the Profile of Lesbian and Gay Self- Organisation in Colleges of Further Education

This Conference welcomes the call in the resolution “Branch, Steward and Workplace Organisation” of 2003 National Delegate Conference for the development of a programme of improving organisation in further education (FE) colleges. Conference believes that this programme should include initiatives to raise the profile of self-organisation in FE colleges and to encourage participation by FE […]

Young Lesbians and Gay Men – the Need for a National Strategy

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 repeal of Section 28 as the single most effective step to […]

Workplace Bullying

Conference notes with concern the 2002 Industrial Relations Society report, which reveals that workplace bullying has replaced pay as the main complaint by workers. Conference also recognises that homophobic bullying and harassment at work is a major detriment to many lesbians and gay men and this is furthr exacerbated for black and disabled lesbians and […]

Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003

Conference welcomes the advice from the Joint Select Committee on Statutory Instruments regarding the proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations 2003. Conference notes the Select Committee’s advice that the regulations do not comply with the European Directive in relation to Regulation 7(3) regarding religion or belief. Conference is dismayed that the Government has chosen to ignore the […]