When UNISON was founded it had about 50,000 retired members. Now it has about 166,000, more than one eighth of total membership. This number and proportion is likely to continue to grow. Retired members therefore form a growing part of the organising agenda. In particular, conference believes that the purposes of self-organisation in Rule D.4.2 […]
Most people, not just lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, are reluctant to talk about ageing and dying. Many do not make adequate plans. LGBT elders may face extra barriers because of perceived or actual heterosexism from their contemporaries and from the services upon which they rely. Ageing Trans people have voiced concerns about […]
Conference notes that the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, which applies to England and Wales, required the UK government to review the differing treatment of widows, widowers, surviving same-sex spouses and surviving civil partners in occupational pension schemes. UNISON, other trades unions and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) made submissions to the review. They […]
“No to Pinkwashing” is a group of Palestine campaigners, trades unionists and socialists based in Britain with strong links with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and with UNISON. “Pinkwashing” is a public relations tactic used by Israel. Israel is increasingly unpopular all over the world because of its occupation, settlements, the Apartheid Wall and the blockade […]
Conference notes that in May 2014, 28 European Union (EU) member states elected 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to represent their interests across Europe. These representatives have a 5 year term to advance policies and, for us, promote a Europe that celebrates its diverse members whilst condemning hate crime and inequality. Of the […]
Conference notes that over the years the national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) conference has received a variety of guest speakers to address conference. These guest speakers add another dimension to our conference, they give us the opportunity to hear from others within the LGBT movement and inform our debate. As the years have […]
Conference welcomes the progress in recognition that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights are human rights, including labour rights, with more countries adopting laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, even where legislation is in place, many LGBT workers still face discrimination. For transgender people, the picture is particularly bleak. […]
Conference recognises the priority that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) self organisation has given, along with the wider union, to recruiting new members and engaging existing members in self-organisation. It is to our credit that not only do we encourage membership and participation in the self-organised groups but we also encourage activists to operate […]
Conference notes that equality is at the heart of UNISON. We have a long history of challenging discrimination and winning equality in the workplace and beyond. Whilst we have made great strides towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and recognition of our rights, there are still areas where members experience discrimination, bullying and […]
Conference notes that the 2013 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Conference wholeheartedly adopted motion 12 about introducing LGBT monitoring for members participating in our structures: committees, conferences and training events. The motion called for the LGBT committee to seek to ‘Work with the appropriate bodies within the union to introduce sexual orientation and gender […]
Conference is concerned at increasing pressure to move away from nationally agreed terms and conditions. These hard fought-for protections represent years of negotiation by many valued trade unionists, who worked tirelessly so future generations could be treated with dignity, equality and respect. Conference will forever be thankful to them. These national collective bargaining and pay […]
This Conference condemns the cuts implemented to legal aid by this government. Legal aid is the means by which everyone in this country should be able to get access to legal advice and representation. However whole classes of legal aid have been removed that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Broken Rainbow, […]
Conference notes the research ‘The Ups and Downs of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB)s workplace experiences’, published in January 2014 by Manchester Business School. Findings for bisexual workers were particularly marked, including: 1. Bisexual people reported the highest levels of bullying and discrimination at work within the last 12 months – higher than lesbians and gay […]
Conference welcomes the resolution carried at the 2013 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) conference, reaffirming the principles and values of our group, including our commitment to zero tolerance of biphobia. Conference further welcomes education and training sessions at our conference, for the national LGBT committee and for branch and regional LGBT groups on identifying […]
Conference is horrified that in July 2014 bombing raids are targeting 1.7 million Palestinians trapped under siege in Gaza, and shocked at the wave of racism and violence targeted against Palestinians. Following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli youths, Israeli leaders incited racism and hatred. Benjamin Netanyahu called for revenge and described Palestinians as […]
