SCOTLAND MAKES LGBT HISTORY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2012 :: RMTnews 29 Scottish trade union history was made in Glasgow recently when the Scottish Trade Unions Congress held its inaugural conference for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference. Trade union members from all over Scotland united to debate a wide range of issues affecting LGBT people in the workplace and in today’s Scottish society. Delegates elected an LGBT equality committee to work on priorities for LGBT workers throughout the year and two representatives were elected to sit on the STUC’s General Council. I attended this event on behalf of RMT and was proud to be part of that historic weekend which saw motions passed on matters including workplace prejudice, supporting international LGBT rights and ‘out’ at work and confident as individuals and professionals to name but a few important issues raised. There were also talks from speakers such Yvonne Strachan of the equality unit of the Scottish government, deputy STUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham and an address from Phyll Opoku-Gyimah of UK Black Pride. The speeches and networking certainly relit a fire in my heart for the trade union movement that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Exhibitors such as Stonewall, Amnesty International, Gay Police Association, Scottish Union Learning and The Equality Network were invaluable in gaining momentum to ask my employer for an LGBT staff committee. I spoke on a motion regarding LGBT facilities in Glasgow for the community following the closure of the LGBT community centre following withdrawal of funding. I said that the real losers were the LGBT community not only in Glasgow but Scotland in general as Glasgow is where most members of the LGBT population congregate. I also support the right to protest in George Square, Glasgow. I said that as voters, tax payers and trade unionists it was time we reminded councillors who had put them in office and how many trade unions were bank rolling them. I would recommend any RMT LGBT member in Scotland to attend next year’s conference and hopefully we can move our own motions important to our LGBT community and members. RMT has pledged full support for the People’s Charter in Scotland and vowed to use it as vehicle to mobilise backing for the public ownership of rail, ferries, buses and the wider range of public services. RMT support follows similar pledges from the two largest public service unions, PCS and Unison, who have also called on the Scottish government to fulfil the aspirations of the People's Charter - a six point manifesto to create a fairer society. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the programme set out in the People’s Charter gave us a platform to develop the alternative to the cuts, austerity and privatisation that are ripping apart working class communities. “The priorities of this government, the profits of the rich, have been laid bare in the decision to award Virgin a short-term contract on the West Coast route from London to Scotland instead of backing the popular, stable and proven alternative of public ownership. “The People’s Charter has a crucial role to play in exposing the dash for profits while wages, jobs and standards of living are taking a hammering, and in setting out a genuine alternative. RMT is with the People’s Charter all the way,” he said. A petition has been launched through the Scottish Parliament website urging the Scottish Government "to bring forward measures in all areas it has competency to fulfil the aspirations of the People’s Charter”". The People's Charter sets out six key steps for a move away from austerity to a more just, equitable society: • A fair economy for a fairer Britain • More and better jobs • Decent homes for all • Protect and improve our public services – no cuts • Fairness and Justice • Build a secure and sustainable future for all The Charter has been endorsed by the TUC, the STUC and most major unions, many MPs and MSPs, as well as thousands of individuals. For more information go to peoplescharterscotland. blogspot.co.uk/ SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE’S CHARTER IN SCOTLAND SCOTLAND MAKES LGBT HISTORY RMT member Barry Weldon reports on the first Scottish TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference