Conference recognises that we support many organisations to develop comprehensive anti-discrimination policies, learning programmes etc. Yet even here, evidence confirms that more is needed, to properly address the unacceptable discrimination, violence, bullying, harassment, suicide and mental health challenges many LGBT+ people experience. Conference knows LGBT+ is an area with conflicting approaches and opinions – and […]
Conference motions
Conference recognises the need for inclusiveness for our LGBT+ members in the workplace. We commend the strong position taken by members at national delegate conference in passing the motion ‘Trans Equality – Louder and Prouder’ and recognise the commitment in UNISON’s recently updated Trans Equality Model Policy to the provision of gender neutral toilets. Many […]
LGBT+ people have been and are still experiencing verbal and physical bullying from colleagues, customers or service users because of their sexual orientation / identity and some still do not feel confident about reporting homo/bi and transphobic bullying in their workplace. According to Stonewall more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have […]
This Conference is deeply concerned by the steep rise in LGBT+ hate crime in Scotland since lockdown restrictions were eased at the beginning of last summer. The rise in homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes is not restricted to Scotland but has been replicated across the rest of the United Kingdom (UK). Hatred and abuse […]
Conference is concerned at the decreasing level of bisexual+ (bi+) engagement within UNISON structures at branch, regional and national level. At this year’s bi+ network meeting, attendance was significantly lower than previous years, especially from members with multiple identities. It is crucial that we not only understand this decline in bi+ activism and engagement, but […]
Following the 2021 LGBT+ conference, the national LGBT+ committee launched a trans equality campaign to be louder and prouder about our support for trans and non-binary members’ rights. This campaign has many elements – from trans ally training and establishing a trans ally network to lobby the United Kingdom’s governments and the Labour Party to […]
Conference notes with regret that although the United Kingdom (UK) Government has proposed a ban on conversion therapy for sexual orientation, it remains in place for gender identity and/or gender expression in adults ‘if they’ve consented and haven’t been coerced.’ Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice which attempts to repress or change the sexual orientation […]
LGBT+ people in the context of the war in Ukraine, like everyone, have many reasons to stay in Ukraine or to leave the country. Like their fellow citizens, LGBT+ people are staying, supporting each other, providing mutual aid, and fighting against the Russian invasion. LGBT+ people, however, face additional barriers to fleeing the country, including […]
Conference notes it has been 3 years since UNISON’s lesbian, gay, bisexual (Bi) and transgender (trans) (LGBT) self-organised group achieved a rule change to include the “+” to become the LGBT+ self-organised group. The purpose of the rule change was to ensure we are inclusive of all identities from within our community and to reflect […]
Conference notes with dismay that the result of motion 11 has not produced a response from our National Executive Committee. In most other circumstances the carrying of a vote of no confidence against such a committee results in the committee standing down, or taking other agreed action to restore confidence. The NEC cannot stay silent. […]
We are all aware of the crisis we are facing in the energy industry. With energy cost increases set to continue, the invasion of Ukraine on the 24th February 2022 and continued sanctions on Russia causing gas shortages as well as the continued rise of inflation. It is no wonder that we are seeing more […]
C 2.4.2 After “Council” add: “providing they have not been dismissed from employment for any act of discrimination or harassment as defined in Rule I 2.3 (i) and (ii).”
Conference notes the pivotal leadership role that UNISON and its then general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe played in establishing the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Conference further notes that the idea emerged from the real experience of low paid public service workers who continued to lose out during the economic turmoil of the 1970s and that it […]
Conference expresses it’s deep scepticism and anger at the Tory government’s claim that they are levelling up the country. UNISON members and the communities in which they live will know only too well that it is the policies pursued by Tory governments that have resulted in the UK becoming one of the most unequal countries […]
Since de-regulation we have seen many suppliers come and go within the energy industry and while this was seen as a good thing competitively, there was little thought about the impacts on the energy workforce which has seen thousands of good jobs lost from the suppliers with strong union agreements in place. While inadequate regulations […]