Special announcement - Unite Equality Structures
HAVE YOUR SAY! - Unite Equality Structures
Unite Reps will shortly receive an invite to the Unite Regional Equality Conferences which are scheduled to take place in October 2009. Siobhan Endean, Unite National Officer for Equalities explains the importance of these Conferences.
"Unite equality structures are an important part of our union's formal democratic decision making processes and are a central part of our union's rule book. These structures are an opportunity for workplace reps to have their say in the way our union works and the issues that the union tackles in the workplace.
The equality structures are an important aspect of our union's positive action agenda to ensure that all voices are heard when we are determining our union's policy, and to tackle the under representation of members who face discrimination in the workplace.
The Unite Executive Council has decided to hold the first Unite Equality Conferences in each region in October 2009. These conferences are new to many workplace reps and it is important to spread the word on how to get involved.
All Regions will be holding Regional Equality Conferences for:-
• Women members who are reps who can attend the Regional Women's Conference
• BAME members who are reps who can attend the Regional BAME Conference
• Disabled members who are reps who can attend the Regional Disability Conference
• LGBT members who are reps who can attend the Regional LGBT Conference
Delegates to these Conferences will be able to raise issues that they feel the union should be campaigning on which will help to formulate an action plan and organising strategy in their region. The Conferences will also discuss motions that will be forwarded to the National Committee and elect a Regional Committee that will take forward the issues that are discussed at the Conference.
In order to be nominated to stand for election for a Regional Equality Committee, Workplace reps will need to be nominated by their Area Activist Committee or Regional Industrial Sector Committee . If you wish to stand for election for any of the Regional Equality Committees you must attend the Area Activist Meetings and Regional Industrial Sector Conferences that will be held in July and September in your region in addition to attending the Regional Equality Conferences in October. We would also recommend that you stand for election for your Area Activist Committee and Regional Industrial Sector Committee. You will need to inform your Regional Office that you wish to stand for election for a Regional Equality Committee prior to your attendance at the Area Activist Meeting and Regional Industrial Sector Conferences. Nominations will not be accepted on the day of these events.
It's very important to Unite that your voices are heard in the regional industrial and equality structures of our union. I hope that you will be able to attend and raise the issues that are most important to you. I look forward to meeting you at the regional equality conferences in October. " Siobhan Endean, Unite National Officer for Equalities
Please follow the link to find out more about the Regional Equality Committees and Conferences http://www.unitetheunion.com/resources/equalities/equality_structures.aspx
Please e-mail Karen Cole on karen.cole@unitetheunion.com if you require further clarification about the Regional Equality Conferences and Committees.
Unite Equality Reps' Project
Summer School, Durham 2009
The first ever Unite Equality Reps' Project Summer School was held at Durham University from 10-16 June, and was a huge success. We have included some pictures from the event for you.
History was made for the first ever Unite Equality Reps Summer School. 55 elected work place Union Equality Reps (UERs) gathered for this significant occasion, to be trained and accredited as UERs, and learn about the 3 cornerstones of Unite vision in our international, political and organising work.
Just before the Summer School, tutors and UERs attended the Durham Miners Gala, an event which attracted hundreds of thousands of trade unionists from across Europe . This was one of the biggest gathering of trade unionists from across Europe . The photo's from the event show just how awesome this event was, but nothing could come close to being there.
UERs were provided with a variety of learning materials including the new Equality Reps' Negotiators Guides, which was launched at the Summer School. UERs were clearly impressed by the level of resources on hand to assist them with learning and tackling discrimination in their work places.
Dahlia Mukherji, Unite Equality Rep with Barclay's Bank said "This Summer School was such an empowering experience, especially meeting with other colleagues from other work places in Unite. Equality issues at work are so important, especially in these uncertain economic times, and are the key to improving our members working lives, terms and conditions. The course was very well resourced and tutors were extremely helpful. A lot of work clearly went into making the week the success it was. I particularly enjoyed the Miners Gala, which was an unforgettable experience."
Whilst UERs do not currently enjoy Statutory Rights, many UERs are existing Work Place, Health & Safety and Learning Reps. Following the success of the Summer School, the Unite Equality Reps' Project team is embarking on working with Public Sector UERs, to develop their understanding and knowledge of the Single Equality Bill, which cover Public Sector Duties.
Les Bayliss, Unite Assistant General Secretary, said "Unite continues to put equality at the very heart of the union, and through holding this Summer School it is clear that our UERs are committed and enthusiastic. I was highly impressed by the hard work, commitment and dedication UERs are engaged in with the Equality Reps' Project. I had the pleasure of speaking at the plenary session of the Summer School, and am proud to be associated with the project. The event was filled very quickly, which demonstrates that our UERs are eager tackle equality and discrimination issues in their workplace."
More information about the Equality Reps' Project is also available at the Unite website:
http://www.unitetheunion.com/resources/equalities/
equality_reps_project_amicus.aspx
Join one of our equality networks:
http://www.unitetheunion.com/resources/equalities/
equalities_resources/unite_equality_email_networks.aspx
You can also join our Equality Reps' Facebook site at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=41019575344&ref=ts
Sign the Hope Not Hate petition – NOT IN MY NAME
Although the BNP received a smaller share of the vote than in 2004, Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons were elected to the European Parliament. Following their shock election we must sign the petition below, to show the BNP and other MEPs that the BNP do not represent us, and their actions do not represent the majority of hard working people in the UK .
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/notinmyname
Equality and Discrimination Law News
Decisions of the European Court of Justice: Implications for UK labour law
Professor Keith Ewing has written a briefing highlighting four major decisions of the European Court of Justice which impact on UK labour law and where these may impact of the work of trade unions ability to negotiate a living wage agreement in local government and elsewhere such as projects connected with the Olympics.
http://www.ier.org.uk/system/files/Decisions+of+the+ECJ
+and+implications+for+UK+laws.pdf
Sex discrimination inquiry in the finance sector
The Equality & Human Rights Commission has called for people to come forward with evidence to offer around the issue of sex discrimination in financial services sector.
The EHRC would be particularly interested to hear from existing or former employees, employers and trade unions.
http://cecollect.com/ve/ZZ94i79n7272Lnn83CZ/VT=0/page=11#1
Other News
Virgin Atlantic - Equality Rep success story
David Smith is the lead Equality Rep at Virgin Atlantic, and reports back on his first year in the role.
"Since I was elected last year, there have been key areas for improvement. Most notable has been the negotiations for staff members, who are in registered Civil Partnerships, receiving an upgrade on company benefits. This is for instances such as honeymoons. The same rights are afforded to 'married' couples in heterosexual relationships, and Virgin has extended this in recognition of Civil Partners.
This has made a real difference to the lives of many of our members".
You can find out more about by contacting the South East Regional Office on 01293 613 795
Organising Guide to Equality
Please take the opportunity to view our latest Campaigning and Organising guide to Equality. The document is a great way to identify key dates for your diary and to organise around issues in your workplace as well as finding out more about the work Unite is undertaking on equality.
A PDF version of the guide is available at
http://www.unitetheunion.com/pdf/Campaigning%20on
%20equality%202009%20.pdf
Equality Reps Negotiators Guides
Please see the link below for the latest publication on Union Equality Reps. This is a negotiators guide on the development, recognition and resources for union Equality Reps
http://www.unitetheunion.com/resources/equalities/equalities_resources/
negotiators_guides_on_equalit.aspx
All of these guide's can also be ordered through publications in the normal manner.
Unite lobby's to save London bendy buses
Please sign the petition, the link for which is below. Over 600 workers were sacked at Visteon (part of Fords) at a moments notice with no redundancy pay or the pensions they worked hard for all their lives.
http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/news/entry/
unite_lobby_at_city_hall_to_save_londons_bendy_buses/
ITUC report - Gender inequality
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) represents 170 million workers, 40% of whom are women, in 157 countries and territories and has 312 affiliates.
The report highlights the average pay gap is around 22.4% and that trade union membership has a positive influence on wage equality, showing the pay gap is smaller for those who are trade union members compared to those who are not.
To see the full report, please click on this link:
http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/GAP-09_EN.pdf
Support Unite's call for more trains to be built in the UK
Unite is seeking to support and save the one remaining UK train builder, Bombardier. Please register your support which will be sued to call on the government to support UK train building. More information and the petition can be found at:
http://www.unitetheunion.com/campaigns/build_trains_in_the_uk.aspx
Events and Training
Government Equalities Office (GEO) is holding four events on the Equality Bill in September in 2009.
The events will be held on Tuesday 1 September in Wales , Wednesday 2 September in central England , Thursday 3 September in Scotland and Friday 4 September in the south of England . Full details, including precise locations, venues and how to register to attend will soon be available on the GEO website, the link for which is below.
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/
Unite the union supports Brighton Pride
Unite' South East region is proud to support this years Pride event in Brighton . Unite will be taking part in the parade and the event in Preston Park on August 1, 2009, which is the single largest event in the South East and possibly the large st LGBT event in Europe.
To support Unite at this event you can participate in the parade or help out on the union stall at Preston Park.
Parade - meet at 10am on Madeira Drive
Park - the stall will be located within the Community Village section of Preston Park and will be open from noon onwards.
Brighton Pride is an opportunity to promote the union's equality and diversity agenda to a wide audience so please come along and support us.
If you require additional information please email Claire Simpson Regional Officer at: claire.simpson@unitetheunion.com
Burston Strike School Rally Sunday 6th September 2009, 11:00am to 4:00pm
Organised by Unite and SERTUC (South East Region TUC), and Burston Strike School Trustees, this event commemorates the longest strike in history, and celebrate the campaigns trade unionists are engaged in, the fight for trade union rights, working class education, democracy in the countryside and international solidarity.
To find out more, and apply to join the Rally, please click on the link below: http://www.unitetheunion.com/news__events/
events/burston_strike_school_rally.aspx
Dates for your diary August
4th Krishna Janmashtami - Himdu
22nd Ramadan begins - Islam
23rd International Slavery Remembrance day
Pride Events
Leeds, 2 August contact - Sue Pollard on 0113 236 4830.
Contact Claire.simpson@unitetheunion.com if you would like to help with Unite activities
8th Cornwall Gay Pride, Truro - Cheltenham Pride
15th Swindon Pride
Doncaster Pride. 16 August - contact Sue Pollard on 0113 236 4830.
21st -31st Manchester Gay Pride Festival
29th Barnsley Gay Pride, Manchester Gay Pride
UK Black Pride 2009 is on Saturday 15th August from 12.00pm - 9.00pm .
Regents College,
Inner Circle
Regents Park, London NW1 4NS
For further information on materials, information on your rights at work, please click on the link below:
http://www.unitetheunion.com/resources/equalities.aspx
If you would like to receive the e-equality Newsletter on a regular basis and are not doing so already, please contact Bridget Clemson, National Administrator, Equalities, with your e-mail address, to be added to our contact list. Her e-mail address is bridget.clemson@unitetheunion.com
Contact Wayne Lawlor, Unite Amicus Project Development Officer, about any best practice or action in your organisation in relation to equality issues which can be included in the Newsletter. e-mail Wayne on wayne.lawlor@unitetheunioncom
Please feel free to circulate this bulletin shop stewards and members.
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