This Conference welcomes the introduction of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. Conference notes that in the High Court action over the Sexual Orientation regulations, the Judge ruled against the unions on both Regulation 7 (3) Religion and Belief Exemption and Regulation 25 Marriage. However, the judge accepted that a tight interpretation of Regulation […]
Conference motions
This Conference condemns the brutal murder of David Morley in the early hours of 31st October 2004. Conference is committed to the LGBT community being able to live our lives without the fear of violence. Conference congratulates Education Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH) and the Metropolitan Police, Lewisham, for recognising the need of our community to […]
This Conference publicly deplores the horrendous murder of David Morley, aka Sinders, in the early hours of Sunday 31 October, 2004, on London’s South Bank, to what police described as a group of youths. David was a well loved and respected member of London’s lesbian and gay scene, and his murder has touched all of […]
Conference is concerned about inequality inequalities in health service provision for disabled black people. We welcome proposed changes to the Disability Discrimination Act to provide protection from discrimination to people diagnosed with cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis. However we are concerned that inadequate health service provision for disabled black people could result in disadvantage to […]
Conference is aware of the post code lottery existing throughout the NHS. John Reid pledged to end such practices following the report into NHS funding and service provisions in his speech in parliament in July 2004. Whilst Conference applauds the promises made to develop a fairer and equal distribution of health provision, we remain concerned […]
Conference welcomes the increased profile of lesbian and gay workplace issues in the work of many parts of our union, while acknowledging that there is still much to be done. Conference recognises that UNISON’s ability to organise, negotiate and campaign effectively on equality issues flows directly from its commitment to self-organisation. Conference notes that since […]
Conference welcomes the Civil Partnership Bill, but believes it falls short of full equality. Conference therefore calls for the following: 1.Both marriage and civil partnership should be available to both same and opposite partners; 2.There should be legal recognition for same and opposite partners who are either unable or unwilling to register or marry; 3.Equality […]
Conference congratulates the North West Region for its support to the production and premier of Arek (a film about holocaust survival). Conference notes that the film omitted to portray the full range of diverse peoples targeted by the holocaust, including trade unionists, lesbians and gay men, Roma people and others. Conference congratulates the City and […]
This conference believes that the Home Secretary’s National Identity Card Initiative is an attack at an individual’s right to privacy and a possible violation of their human rights. Areas of concern include: 1.Recording of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, or impairments; 2.Recording of a person’s political persuasion or religious beliefs; 3.Medical data […]
Conference welcomes the work carried out by the Health Group on issues affecting lesbians and gay men but believes that bisexual and transgender issues have not received sufficient prominence. Conference notes, for example, that transgender health workers face particular pressures, especially when working in clinical environments (in both clinical and non-clinical posts). Conference acknowledges therefore […]
Conference welcomes the gains made by UNISON towards winning equality for lesbian and gay workers organised within the local government service group and in the provision of local government services which recognise and meet the needs of lesbian and gay service users. However, Conference acknowledges that there is still much to be done and that […]
Conference notes that, following earlier changes to secure the representation of black workers, in 2001 the Trades Union Congress General Council was further enlarged to include three new sections, H, I and J, representing respectively trades unionists with disabilities, lesbian and gay trades unionists and trades unionists under 27 years of age. In 2002 bisexual […]
Conference notes with concern the rise in attacks on asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Conference condemns those politicians and media whose use of stereotypes and myths create a climate in which attacks on asylum seekers and the abuse of their human rights is seen as a valid response. Recent reports by Oxfam Scotland […]
Conference notes that UNISON and its former partner unions have called for many years for peace with justice for the Palestinian people and for a solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict based upon international law including particularly: 1.Israeli withdrawal to the borders of 4 June 1967; 2.The right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their […]
Conference recognises there is increasing recognition of issues facing LGBT service users, in particular welcoming the publication of “Not Just a Friend” giving guidance on the recognition of same sex relationships. Conference further welcomes that equality and diversity have been recognised as core standards in the NHS and also recognises that the Local Government Association […]