FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE

Conference welcomes the public service provided by the provision of Travel Advice by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the internet. In providing this public service, the FCO aims to ensure that British Travellers are well prepared. The advice given includes sections on Safety and Security, Health and Local Laws and Customs. The Local […]

JAMAICA

Conference recalls the resolution of the Twelfth National Lesbian and Gay Conference deploring homophobic violence in Jamaica and supporting the work of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (JFLAG). Conference welcomes this self-organised group’s continuing work on this issue and that of others and it urges branch and regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and […]

DELIVERING THE GOODS

Conference welcomes the increased level of protection provided by the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 in the areas of employment and training, but notes with concern that the same level of protection does not exist in relation to the provision of goods, facilities and services to LGBT people. Conference notes with regret that the […]

TRADES UNION CONGRESS GENERAL COUNCIL

Conference notes that: 1.Following earlier changes to secure the representation of Black trades unionists, in 2001 the Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Council was further enlarged to include three new sections, H, I and J, each consisting of one seat and representing, respectively, trades unionists with disabilities, Lesbian and Gay trades unionists and trades unionists […]

UNISON REFUGEE LEARNING PROJECT

Conference supports the Refugee Learning Project, being piloted by Unison Scotland which aims to give asylum seekers work experience in social service and health settings with mentor support to hopefully eventually allow them to obtain employment in these areas. This project is benefiting asylum seekers practically by integrating them into the community further, and tackling […]

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR STATEMENTS

Delegates to Conference have seen the statement on acceptable behaviour issued with the Conference papers. They are also aware of a variety of acceptable behaviour statements in use across UNISON as guidance for training courses, meetings and conferences. Such statements are not always comprehensive, or best worded. It should not always be up to those […]

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER WORKERS RIGHTS – THE AGENDA FROM HERE

Conference notes that since 1999 it has been unlawful to discriminate against workers on grounds of gender reassignment and since 2003 it has been unlawful to discriminate against workers on grounds of sexual orientation. We have also won further protections and rights in the workplace through the Gender Recognition Act and Civil Partnership Act. UNISON […]

ENSURING EQUALITY FOR OLDER LGBT PEOPLE IN HOUSING PROVISION

Conference congratulates Communities Scotland for research into ensuring equality for older LGBT people in housing provision and for the publication of the extremely practical booklet. This research was carried out in conjunction with older LGBT people in Scotland and involved input from various agencies including UNISON. The research has produced an extremely useful “housing and […]

SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN LIBRARIES

Conference congratulates the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) for updating its CILIP Equal Opportunities Briefing “Sexual Orientation in Libraries”. It is intended to facilitate equality of opportunity for Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgendered people using, or working in, all types of library and information services. This information will prove to be […]

NATIONAL LGBT CONFERENCES – REGIONAL DELEGATION MEETINGS

Conference notes that: 1.For several years until 2003 UNISON National Lesbian and Gay Conferences offered a facility for regional delegation meetings on Friday and Saturday evenings though some regional delegations chose to meet only on Friday; 2.In 2004 the facility for Saturday evening regional delegation meetings was withdrawn without consultation with every regional Lesbian and […]

HOMOPHOBIA – TAKING NO PRIDE IN PREJUDICE

Conference notes the publication of “Homophobia – Taking No Pride in Prejudice” by Glasgow City Council as part of its commitment to address all forms of prejudice and discrimination in Glasgow. Conference congratulates Glasgow City Council for this excellent piece of research which raises awareness of homophobia and its effects on the lives of Lesbians […]

PROMOTING THE EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY (SEXUAL ORIENTATION) REGULATIONS) 2003

Conference applauds efforts already made by individual members, branch and regional groups, branches and the National LGBT Committee to promote the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 [‘The Regulations’]. Conference is concerned, however, that a large number of members, stewards and branch officers are still unaware of the provisions of ‘The Regulations’. Further, in order […]

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Conference welcomes the progress made on the introduction of a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights(CEHR). However Conference is very concerned that there are still no plans to introduce legislation relating to the CEHR’s powers, constitution, terms of reference and details of the various strands and their link to each other. Conference is also […]

Public Bodies

Conference is delighted that changes to legislation in April 2005 will impose a new disability equality duty on public bodies and some private companies. We believe these new duties could reconstruct a barrier-free society and provide equality of opportunity for the millions of disabled people who are in work, want to work, and those who […]

Recognition of British Sign Language

Conference is outraged that teaching establishments across the United Kingdom are threatening the recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) and the future of deaf people. We call upon the National Disabled Members’ Committee to work with the National Executive Council to continue to campaign for BSL to be recognised in reality by: 1)challenging proposals to […]