Trade unions exist to improve the working lives of their members. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers face harassment and discrimination. It’s hard to deal with on your own. Joining UNISON gives you a voice in the UK’s largest public service union, committed to working for LGBT rights.
LGBT members organise locally and nationally to support each other, to identify and challenge discrimination, to increase awareness of LGBT rights and to campaign for change.
Regional LGBT Committee
The North West Regional LGBT Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting of the LGBT Self Organised Group which takes place in the autumn. The Committee meets at least four times a year to look at issues and campaigns which effect LGBT workers.
The Committee develops an annual Regional LGBT Action Plan to take forward motions passed at the annual National LGBT Conference, this year’s priorities include:
Recruiting and organising
· Increasing the number of existing members participating in our work;
· Developing a range of recruitment materials for the group;
· Hosting a series of recruitment stalls at Pride and other community events; and
· Develop our use of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and produce regular member newsletters.
Negotiating LGBT equality
· Highlighting UNISON guidance to branches relating to Workplace monitoring and materials developed to tackle biphobia and promoting bi equality in the workplace; and
· Develop a model workplace Trans Policy and share this with branches.
Campaigning and promoting UNISON
· Attendance at a wide range of Pride events to raise awareness of government cuts;
· Actively supporting campaigns against the Far Right; and
· Participate and celebrate LGBT History Month and IDAHO.
International work
· Maintaining our relationship with ILGA and promoting and supporting its work; and
· Campaigning against human rights abuses of LGBT people in other countries.
Get involved
To find out more about our work follow us on Facebook or Twitter:
· On Facebook: Search for “UNISON LGBT Self Organised Group (North West Region)
· Follow us on twitter: @unisonnwlgbt
Join us at one of our meetings
Our next meetings are:
- Sunday 7th June (11am – 1pm at UNISON North West, Arena Point, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1UN)
- Saturday 18th July – development day/meeting (10am – 4pm at UNISON North West, Arena Point, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1UN)
WHO TO CONTACT
If you are already a UNISON member, come along to one of our meetings – contact:
Eileen Best
(UNISON North West LGBT Committee Co-convenor)
Telephone: 07721 527 035
Email: [email protected]
John McSwiggan
(UNISON North West LGBT Committee Co-convenor)
Telephone: 07894 994 811
Email: [email protected]
James Bull
Area Organiser
Tel: 0161 661 6207
E-mail: [email protected]
