SCOTTISH LGBT CONFERENCE

Scotland hosted its fourth annual STUC LGBT workers conference in Clydebank recently which I was proud to attend and represent RMT. This year’s venue was the fabulous Beardmore Hotel which is owned and operated by NHS Scotland, proof that nationalised services operate well if not better than private companies with all staff paid the living wage and terms and conditions in line with NHS Scotland employees. Motions were passed on support for same sex LGBT parental rights, Support for young transgender people, fights against the Scottish Defence League, PEGIDA and UKIP, equality within blood donation along with others. RMT’s motion on International LGBT Representation was carried unanimously. It called for the STUC to lobby the European TUC and other international organisations to organise and establish LGBT committees specifically to tackle the suppression of basic human rights across the world. Emergency motions were passed on the Tories sickening new plans to scrap the Human Rights Act which is not only a threat to LGBT people but everyone as we would lose our right to life, freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom of thought, belief and religion, expression or freedom of association as trade unionists. Speakers included Nathan Gale whose story for me as a disabled worker is truly inspiring, Nathan and his partner Robert were refused access to Glasgow’s Polo Lounge due to Robert being in a wheelchair staff cited a lack of disabled facilities at the premises. They had been to the popular venue before but on this occasion were refused access. After the incident Nathan took legal action against Polo Lounge owners G1 Group, which is owned by leisure and property tycoon Stefan King. His firm G1 topped a list of companies’ across Britain which face penalties for neglecting to pay the legal minimum wage. The court ruled that they had been discriminated against under the Equality Act and won his case. It is one of the only civil cases seen in Scotland under the Equality Act in relation to access for disabled people. Other speakers included Phyllis Opoku Gyimah the founder of UK Black Pride, the annual inclusive event that celebrates our culturally diverse Black LGBT community which is open to everyone. Another speaker was Becky Kent from the Scottish Transgender Alliance, which works to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality rights and inclusion in Scotland. Lindsay England from Just A Ball Game also spoke about the football campaign group helping grass roots and professional sports groups and education establishments and trade unions build on the delivery of safety inclusion and respect around LGBT people, sexual orientation and gender identity. I am proud to say I have been elected on to the STUC LGBT workers’ committee and look forward to working hard to represent my union and hope to see more members attend next year’s conference. RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2015 :: RMTnews 28 Barry Weldon reports on the fourth annual Scottish TUC workers’ conference SCOTTISH LGBT CONFERENCE RMT AT LONDON PRIDE RMT general secretary Mick Cash joined the annual London Pride march last month as part of the noisy RMT delegation