Including Retired Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members

Conference notes that, although this self-organised group’s remit includes retired LGBT members, they may not take part in debates at this conference. Conference notes in particular that: 1.Rule D4, which defines the self-organised groups, refers throughout to members without reference to the categories of membership in rule C2; however, 2.Rule C2.6.2 says retired members may […]

Encouraging Participation

National Bisexual Members’ Caucus Conference notes with pride that equality is at the heart of our union and recognises that self organisation is an integral part of equality. Conference unfortunately also notes that some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and other self organised group members continue to experience unnecessary hindrances in attending their UNISON […]

SUPPORT FOR OLDER LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS

In rural areas many older LGBT people can be left feeling isolated and unsupported. Very often the support networks and access to services and health provisions enjoyed by older LGBT people living in urban areas is just non existent in rural areas. Conference it is vital for the mental and physical well being of our […]

Branch Toolkits

Conference commends the work of the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee with regards to raising awareness across this union of issues affecting LGBT members. It also notes the guides and toolkits provided previously. It is worrying however that there still remains a lack of awareness of LGBT issues within branches. Whilst it […]

Equality Reps

Conference notes that equality is the centre of everything UNISON does. Conference welcomes the new role of Equality Rep within UNISON and the workplace. Conference notes that many of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) members face discrimination and inequality in the workplace on a daily basis. Conference notes the importance of having Equality […]

DON’T CON-DEM YOUNG LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PEOPLE

Conference believes that young people are amongst those most likely to suffer as a consequence of the damaging policies being pursued by the Con-Dem Government. Conference also believes that: 1.The job losses predicted by the Treasury of up to 600,000 jobs in the public sector and up to 700,000 in the private sector will have […]

RESTRICTIONS IN CAR USER ALLOWANCES AND ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

This Conference is concerned that many employers are cutting the mileage they will pay for disabled people who use their own vehicle for work purposes. We recognise that campaigns for the reduction in car usage and limiting the engine size that can be used for work purposes to 1000cc promotes the climate change agenda. However […]

DISABLED PEOPLE AND THE RECESSION

This conference is appalled about the savage cuts in public services and the impact on our members’ jobs. Disabled members express their extreme frustration at the media’s failure to portray the tax and spending debate as the lifeline to disabled people’s independence but instead focus a negative representation of disabled people as a burden on […]

ACCESS TO WORK AND THE RIGHT TO CONTROL

This Conference is alarmed at the reports of disabled members being denied the right to control their Access to Work packages in the workplace. We are only too aware of the ignorance from some disabled people about how our conditions and impairments affect us, we are also concerned that non disabled people do not fully […]

BEING OUT ABOUT HIV

Conference is concerned about the lack of awareness of HIV and its impacts within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT). HIV from the point of diagnosis to long term treatment is covered under the Disability Discrimination Act as a disability and there is widespread ignorance; 40% of gay men have HIV and are […]

BENEFITS AND DISABLED WOMEN

In line with Dave Prentis’ press release declaring war on public service cuts, we are shocked this administration is introducing draconian cuts to government departmental budgets that will negatively and disproportionately affect disabled women. Of particular concern is the announcement that existing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants will have to undergo medical checks to continue […]

RAPE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Rape is a violation of a woman’s human rights. Violence against women is difficult for any woman to experience, for a Deaf woman there are things that can make it extra hard to gain support, such as confidentiality, being part of a small community, lack of understanding and access issues. The aftermath of rape can […]

FIT NOTES AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS (PDP)

This conference is concerned that the new system for recording workplace sickness absence ‘Fit Notes’ is not providing adequate support to disabled women who are returning to work after periods of absence. In particular we are concerned that some parts of the medical profession fail to understand how public service workplaces are organised, the negotiated […]

CREATING A FAIRER SOCIO ECONOMIC SOCIETY FOR DISABLED BLACK PEOPLE

Conference notes with deep concern the extent black people experience common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Regrettably the recent government announcement on the future of Disability Living Allowance and the welfare system could lead to significant mental illness as the majority of disabled Black people remain socially deprived and economically disadvantaged. It […]

WELFARE REFORM BILL

The Queen’s speech, presented on 25 May 2010 introduced a new Welfare Reform Bill. The Government states that the main benefits of the Bill will be: ·‘Making the benefits system less complex ·Improving work incentives ·Getting the five million plus people languishing on benefits into work and out of poverty. ·Reducing the scope for fraud […]