ACT FOR EQUALITY – STAMP OUT HOMOPHOBIA

This Conference believes: 1.That after 8 years in power, the current Government has equalised the law for LGBT people in a number of areas including the new protection against homophobia at work, but has failed to deliver full legal equality for LGBT people; 2.This continuing inequality includes new partnership rights that fall short of full […]

EQUALITY AND INCLUSION – A PUBLIC SERVICES AGENDA FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN

Conference recognises that the UNISON publication “Equality and Inclusion: a public services agenda for Lesbians and Gay men” was an excellent publication for promoting our agenda and UNISON. This document was produced in 2001 and we have witnessed much legislative change over the past few years in the UK forum and also the devolved parliaments. […]

NEW UNISON LGBT LOGO

Conference notes that since becoming a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group in June 2005 we no longer have a logo to represent the group. Conference therefore instructs the National LGBT Committee to work with UNISON’s Communications Department to design a new logo appropriate to the needs of our new, wider group.

RETAINING OLDER MEMBERS AND ACTIVISTS

Conference notes that the proportion of delegates at UNISON Lesbian and Gay Conferences aged 50 and over was about 10% whereas about 30% of UNISON members are in this age group. Moreover, this showed little change from year to year and was reflected in membership of the National lesbian and gay Committee and, as far […]

SAFE SPACE AND WOMEN’S SOCIAL EVENTS

Conference recognises that space is not made safe merely by declaring it so. Women disproportionately suffer inequality in our society and this has an impact on their self-confidence, on their ability to act as their own agents and on their perceptions of security. Because of such factors, women who attend conference experience the ‘space’ of […]

POLICE STAFF – A PART OR APART?

Conference welcomes the recent UNISON advert in ‘Diva’ magazine – July 2005 issue and would further welcome adverts in other such publications. Conference notes with concern the omission of Police Staff within the list of service groups in which UNISON organise. Conference further notes that Police Staff are the fastest growing service group within UNISON […]

2+2 – INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MOTIONS WE CAN PUT TO NATIONAL DELEGATE CONFERENCE

Conference notes that at present self-organised groups (as well as regions, the Young Members’ Forum and Retired Members) are only permitted to submit a total of two motions (including any rule amendments) to National Delegate Conference. Conference also notes that a proposal to increase this to four motions was defeated at National Delegate Conference in […]

PUBLIC SERVICE RISKS

Conference notes with extreme concern that some of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) members are facing hostility and violent discriminatory behaviour from service users and members of the public. Conference is particularly anxious that our members face threats to their personal safety in the line of their duties, and that these issues are […]

Draconian Changes in Terror Trials

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett is proposing a raft of new measures and amendments to existing anti-terrorism legislation which will extend his powers and local law enforcement agencies which include the following:- ·creation of ‘no jury anti-terrorist courts, these are all under the guise of building safe and secure communities ·introduction of special terrorism trials […]

GOODS AND SERVICES TO LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

Conference welcomes the House of Lords Judgement in the Mendoza tenancy case. Conference congratulates the NLGC and the National Officer on the production of “Not Just a Friend” the Best Practice guidance on healthcare for lesbian, gay and bisexual service users and their families. Conference notes that the Cymru/Wales regional lesbian and gay self-organised group […]

CONTINUING THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A UNISON LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER SELF ORGANISED GROUP

Conference believes the UNISON lesbian and gay self-organised group should become a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender self-organised group and that the rules should be changed to facilitate this. Conference is committed to campaigning to win the vote at National Delegate Conference (NDC) in 2005. Conference is disappointed that its resolution to NDC in 2004 […]

EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY (SEXUAL ORIENTATION) REGULATIONS 2003

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 […]

COMP NDC A – AMENDMENT TO RULE D4 – SELF ORGANISED GROUPS

In Rule D.4.1.4 delete “lesbian and gay members” and substitute “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members”.

GENDER RECOGNITION ACT

Conference welcomes the passing of the Gender Recognition Act which received Royal Assent on 1 July 2004. Conference notes that it is expected that people will be able to start applying for Gender Recognition Certificates from Spring 2005. Conference recognises that this act will allow transsexual people to obtain recognition of their true gender, which […]

POLITICAL FUND BALLOT

By March 2005, UNISON is required by law to ballot the whole membership on whether or not we continue to have a political fund. The unique structure of the UNISON Political Fund allows members to choose to pay into the fund affiliated to the Labour Party and/or the fund for general political campaigns. Conference deplores […]