LGB CONFERENCE DISCUSSES PRIORITIES

The purpose of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) advisory committee, which is elected on a regional basis, is to inform and advise the union and help frame union policy. RMT has a policy of equal opportunity. Discrimination or harassment on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, or sexual orientation, will not be tolerated. The advisory committee meets three times a year and has an annual national conference which this year was held in London. Guest speaker Mark Nolan of Edwards Duthie Solicitors explained to conference the legalities regarding the employment equality (sexual orientation) regulations 2003 which came into force on December 1 2003, making it unlawful for employers and some other bodies to discriminate against or harass a person on the grounds of sexual orientation. Case scenarios where studied to explore and explain this legislation. A copy of this document is available upon request. Another guest speaker was Peter Purton the TUC Policy Officer for LGBT rights. Peter advised conference that the Civil Partnership Act 2005, and the imminent addition by secondary legislation of protection against discrimination in the provision of goods and services on grounds of sexual orientation to the current Equality Bill, represent, more or less, the completion of the agenda for legal equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in Britain. The achievement of full legal equality for transexual people remains in 2006 an objective rather than a reality. The government has rejected an attempt to include protection against discrimination in goods and services in the current Equality Bill but has undertaken to ensure that this omission is corrected by the promised single equality legislation. Our next guest was John Leach from the RMT council of executives who addressed conference on his role as an EC representative. ORGANISING Our final guest was Carolyn Siddall of the Organising Unit. She was a wealth of information on organising stategy, methods, RMT policy and the resources availible to help take the union forward, this included a guide to carrying out induction courses. I learnt that RMT is the fastest growing union in the country – to quote Professor Gregor Gall “with net and substantial gains of 3,000 – 4,000 per year which represents around a 6 per cent growth per annum, this is not an inconsiderable achievement that many other unions would give their eye teeth for”. It was decided that the national LGB conference for 2007 would be held in Manchester. You have to be nominated by your branch to attend and we hope to see you there! EQUALITY ELECTIONS – TAKE A STAND AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE How many times have you thought that inequality should not be tolerated? Ever wanted to take a positive step against discrimination? Then, perhaps you should think about seeking nomination to one of the union’s three equality advisory committees. The committees are comprised of ordinary members and yes, they are listened to. That is the purpose of the committees – to advise the Council of Executives on matters concerning women, our black & minority ethnic and our lesbian, gay and bisexual members. If you want to influence policy, why not consider asking your branch to nominate you. The process has now begun to elect delegates for RMT’s Women, Black and Ethnic Minority and Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Advisory Committees. Those elected will serve on the committees for three years, from 2007 until 2009. The committees meet three times a year. Ordinary members can make a difference – why don’t you. For more details, contact your branch secretary. LGB CONFERENCE DISCUSSES PRIORITIES Martin Lambert- Atkins of the LGB liaison committee reports on the work of the national advisory committee that represents lesbian, gay and bisexual members and the recent national conference in London RMTnews :: october 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 28