Well back from Vienna - a lot more of that in due course and Bristol! Unison business so reports need and I should say so as these conferences are not done on the cheap but neither are the decisions we help make!
So last on first:
UNISON LGBT National Delegates Conference –
Bristol 14/16th November 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/out/
UNISON’s 2008 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members conference took place in Bristol last weekend. Over 250 LGBT members travelled from all over the UK to discuss how to take forward the union’s work for LGBT equality. Sadly owing to administration problem in West Campbell Street the Scottish Region LGBT Committee were prevented from having delegates at our conference, a point that was made in an Emergency Motion ruled out of order as it directly criticised Unison staff. However, a new emergency motion was submitted and although ruled to be outwith the scope of standing orders did appear in the report presented by standing orders to the conference. It was noted similar situations have occurred elsewhere in our organisation and I suspect there will be a very interesting motion presented to the 2009 conference in Cardiff!
UNISON holds an annual conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. The conference consists of the debate of formal motions, guest speakers, discussion groups and side meetings for particular groups of members, such as black LGBT members, disabled LGBT members, bi members and trans members. The conference elects delegates to other national UNISON conferences and agrees motions to the union’s key decision making bodies. We were pleased that Scottish delegates from branches were elected to important positions within Unison’s structures.The 44 motions in front of the 2008 conference covered recruiting and organising, negotiating, campaigning and international issues. Issues include coming out at work; gender reassignment and workplace stress; addressing the needs of rural LGBT people; tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in education; ramping up the fight against the far right; tackling hate crime and building LGBT equality internationally. I was pleased to present motions on behalf of the Scottish LGBT Committee:
36 Unison participation in ILGA
37 Criminalisation and enforced testing of people suspected of being HIV+ in Egypt
Other Scottish motions presented were:
16*B Supporting LGBT members in the Highlands Scotland
UNISON’s LGBT conference is probably the biggest gathering of LGBT trade unionists anywhere in the world – UNISON has led the global trade union movement in placing LGBT rights firmly on the union agenda. Guests at the 2008 conference include sisters and brothers from the Philippines, Poland and our global union body Public Services International.Members were welcomed to conference by Rosie MacGregor, UNISON Convenor for the South West and addressed by UNISON President Sue Highton; with Keith Sonnet, UNISON Deputy General Secretary giving a very well informed and though provoking as well as amusing start to conference; Ceri Goddard of the British Institute of Human Rights; and Bi activist Marcus Morgan whose address caused come controversy in terms of the language used and some of the concepts expressed. Members were briefed on developments towards new equality legislation by UNISON’s Liane Venner, who is a member of the Government Equality Office Senior Stakeholder Group.
In addition workshops and discussion groups were held on
Keeping ourselves healthy – emotional and mental health for Lesbian Bi and Trans Women (women only invited to attend)
Promoting Bi Equality at Work and in the Union
Transphobia effects children too – promoting trans equality in education and other children’s services
Around the world in 90 minutes – training session on Unison’s international work and how to use the Foreign & Commonwealth Office toolkit
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A4297%20LGBT%20Annual%20Report%202008.pdf
Socially a Civil Reception was hosted by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies and the South West Regional members organised a less informal soiree at the Conference hotel.
Conference decisions will be posted on the Unison UK website in due course.
Off to the bank today to arrange a morgage for our Scottish home!
