Joined Up Equalities Information

UNISON has an excellent record in supporting Self Organised Groups (SOGs). This can not only be a good way of encouraging people from under-represented groups from joining and becoming active in the union. One of the many ways that UNISON reaches out to publicise the benefits in our union is to attend festivals such as […]

Tackling Trans Workers’ Unemployment

Conference is dismayed at the continuing difficulty faced by many trans people in finding and keeping paid employment. Conference notes that while it is not easy to challenge discrimination while you are in a job, it is even more difficult to challenge discrimination in recruitment. High levels of unemployment amongst trans people are rising higher […]

Encouraging Bi Equality Training in Workplaces

As biphobia is still rife in most workplaces, Conference calls on the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee, in liaison with the Bisexual Members’ Caucus, to develop UNISON’s materials on tackling biphobia, promoting bi equality and the need for bi awareness training in workplaces. Conference further calls on branch and regional LGBT groups […]

Still Fighting For Equality

Conference welcomes the introduction of the Equality Act 2010 under the Labour government but notes with heavy heart that the specific public sector equality duties were delayed and reviewed by the conservative-led coalition government. Conference notes that there is unlikely to be any further legislative gains under this government. Conference notes that – for now […]

Save Strathclyde Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Switchboard

Strathclyde Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Switchboard is the last LGBT Switchboard in Scotland open 7 nights a week, every day of the year. The service provides support to LGBT people with a wide range of problems and provides a listening ear to all who call. The service is run by LGBT volunteers. The […]

Recruiting and Organising Young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members

Conference recognises that young people are among those disproportionately affected by the Tory-led government’s attacks on public services – especially education – jobs, employment rights and pensions. Cuts to youth work services, Connexions, housing benefit, the Education Maintenance Allowance and the hike in tuition fees – all are examples of the government’s contempt for young […]

ILGA – GET INVOLVED

Conference welcomes the fact that the UK is now at the top of ILGA Europe’s league table for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality. Conference notes that the United Kingdom gets credit for Scotland being the only European jurisdiction with trans-inclusive hate crime law. These achievements highlight the importance of UNISON’s continual active participation […]

Increased Age Of Single Person’s Housing Allowance

This Conference believes that the current housing benefit regulations already put young people at a disadvantage. Single Housing Benefit claimants living in the rented sector who are aged under 25 are classed in secondary legislation as “young individuals” for Housing Benefit purposes. When calculating the amount of Housing Benefit payable they are restricted to the […]

Negotiating In The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary Sector

Conference celebrates the long standing and well documented history of working with, as well as accessing the services of, the voluntary sector that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has. Organisations such as Broken Rainbow which started in 2002 and the George House Trust which is now in its 26th year offer vital […]

Local Government Cuts

Conference, over the last two years we have seen an unprecedented attack on public services, jobs, pay and conditions. We must remember that local government staff and service users are not the cause, greed within the banking industry is, but the Public Sector are having to pay for their greed. We have seen the biggest […]

Workforce Monitoring – Moving Forward

Conference believes that, in the light of the Equality Act 2010, many employers are now confused about their legal duties and ignorant about good practice on workforce monitoring in respect of sexual orientation and gender identity. Conference further believes that we can use this confusion as a bargaining opportunity to push our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual […]

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Conference notes with concern the problems some disabled members encounter in attaining and/or receiving information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; especially whilst requesting information where some constraining time limits are involved. Both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will not currently send information and letters […]

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FAILURE TO MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

The Disability Discrimination Acts introduced for the first time a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. The Equality Act outlines three areas where employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments. These are: a) Adjustments to a provision, criterion or practice; b) Adjustments involving the provision of auxiliary aids and services; and c) […]

EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM CRITICAL ILLNESS

This Conference is concerned that there is no employment protection for staff who are critically ill and at risk of being made redundant due to government cuts. Critical illness is often related to a disability and there are further complications when a disabled person has a critical illness. During this time of wide spread budget […]

FAIR REPRESENTATION FOR DISABLED MEMBERS IN UNISON

This conference is concerned about the level of discrimination currently faced by disabled people including the State Orchestrated Discrimination that this government implements against us on a daily basis. To fight this effectively we need to ensure that disabled people are represented at all levels of society including in our own union. Branches and regions […]