The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and “Disclosure”

Conference notes: 1The importance of ensuring that young people and vulnerable adults are protected from members of society who may wish to cause them physical, mental or sexual harm; 2)That the Government has introduced the Criminal “Disclosure” process in order to achieve these aims, and will continue to support the Government in achieving these goals. […]

Sex Discrimination Act

Conference notes that the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 outlaws discrimination against somebody on the grounds they are maaried but not on the grounds that they are unmarried. Conference calls for an amendment to the act so it provides equal protection for married and unmarried people.

Sex and Relationships Education in Schools

In 1987 the Sex Education Forum was established with the hope that, along with other organisations they would share a common aim of providing information regarding sex and relationships. In 1999 the National Healthy School Standard was set up at local, regional and national levels in order to develop partnership with schools which would enable […]

Homophobic Harassment

Conference notes: 1.That harassment of lesbian and gay workers continues unabated despite the pending equalities legislation, and that one tactic becoming prevalent in such harassment is use of the media to smear lesbian and gay workers; 2.That the use of Commander Brian Paddick is only one example of such harassment using the homophobic agenda of […]

Raising Our Profile

Conference welcomes with enthusiasm the poster designed to advertise the 10th National Lesbian and Gay Conference. This acts as an excellent marketing tool to encourage members to become active within our union and could also assist with recruitment and retention throughout the organisation. Conference agrees that we need to encourage more members to become activists […]

Civil Registered Partnerships

Conference notes that family law relating to lesbian and gay couples and unmarried heterosexual couples is currently being developed on a case by case basis in the UK. This has led to seemingly contradictory rulings by different courts in the different UK legal systems. Conference welcomes the introduction of partnership registers by the Greater London […]

Equality Matters and UNISON

Equality is the cornerstone of UNISON. Work on equality issues is integrated into the union’s core activities and into the bargining agenda. UNISON Scotland notes that 2003 is also an important year for the EU Framework Employment Directive which will bring in new protection from discrimination in employment, for sexual orientation, religion or belief and […]

Organising for Our Future

Conference instructs the National Lesbian and Gay Committee (NLGC) to carry out the actions set out in the recommendations of the report ‘Organising for Our Future’ as follows: 1.to introduce a written constitution for the NLGC, from existing and agreed policies and procedures; 2.to increase the flow of information to activists by introducing more regular […]

Equality and Inclusion – Public Services Agenda for Lesbians & Gay Men – Inclusion in our Leisure

Conference notes that UNISON published a statement in June 2001 relating to Leisure Services for Lesbians and Gay Men. This statement made clear that: “UNISON believes the local administration of arts, sport and leisure can make an enormous difference to lesbians and gay men. Organised on the basis of inclusiveness, it can support lesbians and […]

Affiliated Political Fund

Conference notes with concern that the consultation on the political fund system due for Annual Delegate Conference 2002 has been delayed and the report is now due next year. The report was called for by a motion to 2001 National Delegate Conference. That motion, Motion 131 “The Labour Government – What do we get for […]

The Impact of Self-Organisation on the Bargaining Agenda

Conference believes that the fundamental purpose of our self-organisation is to improve the working lives of lesbians and gay men. Conference notes that the tenth anniversary of the formation of UNISON provides an opportunity to assess the impact of lesbian and gay self-organisation on the union’s bargaining agenda. Conference recognises that some progress has been […]

Equalities Commissions

Conference notes that the Government has set up a project to consider the feasibility of a single equality body, which is doe to publish a report for consultation towards the end of 2002. The starting point of the project is that the status quo cannot continue, as provision must be made for machinery to deliver […]

Direct Payments

The London Regional Disabled Members’ Committee is concerned at the various ways in which the direct payments schemes are set up and run locally and nationally. All direct payments schemes should be properly funded, so that the same level of support can be obtained regardless of where you live. All schemes should be set up […]

Local Government White Paper

This Conference welcomes the White Paper’s encouragement to local authorities not to make voluntary organisations bid for funds on an annual basis. Many voluntary organisations provide invaluable services to disabled people and employ UNISON members. We also call for the Government to make the following changes to the White Paper proposals to meet the needs […]

Sheltered Workshops

This Conference does not support the principle of sheltered workshops which segregate disabled workers from non-disabled workers. They are often exploitative and increase dependency. However this Conference notes that disabled people who currently work in sheltered workshops would end up out of work and not in mainstream open employment if the workshops were to close. […]