GAY SOLIDARITY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/aug 2025 :: RMTnews 24 LGBT+ union activists pledged solidarity with all those facing discrimination, at their annual advisory conference in Blackpool. The call followed a UK Supreme court judgement on the definition of ‘woman’ for the purposes of the Equality Act, which some in the trans community have felt negatively impacts on them and non-binary individuals. Bakerloo Line branch delegate Georgie Duane said that the EHRC’s interim guidance was confusing, unworkable, and discriminatory - ultimately contradicting current practices that respect workers’ right to use facilities matching their gender. The motion also pointed out that RMT’s position unequivocally supports all trans and non-binary members within the union. Recently the union expressed its long-standing support for the Equality Act 2010 which provides protections for women and trans people facing discrimination adding that RMT had a proud history of fighting all forms of oppression both in Britain and internationally. Conference also passed a motion from Blackpool & Fylde branch in reaction to British Transport Police’s April 2025 policy of conducting searches of trans women by male officers. The resolution condemned the lack of consultation and demanded urgent changes including proper healthcare provision and respectful treatment in custody of suspects. Perth No.1 branch successfully moved a resolution declaring trans and non-binary members had the right to define their own gender, and that the union was committed to ensuring this is respected in the movement and the workplace following the blocking of the Gender Recognition (Scotland) Bill 2022, by the UK government. East London Rail Branch noted in their unanimously passed resolution, that hate crime was rising fast, with transport workers facing particular risk and that the government need to act to create meaningful punishments and sentencing for offenders. Conference heard from several guest speakers including RMT assistant general secretary John Leach. Acknowledging that the trade unions had more progress to make on equality matters, he said that RMT on been on a journey of “discovery and enlightenment” when it came to issues of equality and diversity. “This is what a trade union does - fighting for equality for ordinary people no matter who they are or how they define themselves and making sure they are treated with dignity. “That’s why this conference, this part of our activity as a family, the RMT, is centre and core of everything we are about,” he said. Speaking about the Supreme Court judgement, Mr Leach said the union would continue to “digest” its GAY SOLIDARITY LGBT+ advisory committee conference discusses discrimination and equality