Equalities at the heart of the union

by Alan Cowan

Over the last few years UNISON has focused on Equal Pay. The time is now right to look at the equality strands as a whole. To help with this branches need specific resources to campaign on equalities issues and in particular LGBT Issues.

At Celtic Connections, the joint Learning and Organising event with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Cymru Wales LGBT Committees, three sets of campaign posters and leaflets were developed.

These cover isolation at work, dealing with problems affecting work and reporting hate crime. A well-attended workshop on using these materials was held at the 2010 National LGBT Conference.

These materials were praised and it was acknowledged that Scotland is again leading the way on organising for equality. However we need to work together to ensure these campaigns are a success.

There are often hidden inequalities in the workplace. Employment opportunities and job cuts are intrinsically linked to inequalities.

The Scottish LGBT Committee now wishes to pilot the use of our materials between January and March 2010.

A particular focus on activity will be held during February which is LGBT History Month. We have posters and leaflets to put on noticeboards and distribute at workplace meetings or events. These materials will help raise awareness of the important equalities work which is a fundamental part of what UNISON does for its members.

The Pilot was announced at Scottish Council in December (pictured) and an email will be going out to your Branch Office. If you or your branch is interested in taking part in the Pilot, then please contact Alan Cowan, from the Scottish LGBT Committee on alancowan2@hotmail.co.uk for more information about how you and your branch can be involved.

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