CWU general secretary (GS) Billy Hayes declared that equality issues are central to the role of any trade union in representing its members.
Addressing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference in Bristol, Billy reiterated that equalities are bread and butter issues for the union. “If you face problems in the workplace regarding sexuality, colour of skin or disabilities and we are not there to defend you then it is less of a union,” said Billy, who claimed it was as much of a responsibility of the union to challenge transphobia as it was to fight for agreements on overtime. ”The union must be there to defend you all the time. What you are doing here is not a side issue. It is about sustaining this union. It’s about fighting for equality in and out of the union.”
Billy highlighted the under reporting of hate crime, quoting the Stonewall statistic that 25 per cent of such offences go unreported. For those who do report such crimes, 20 per cent experience discrimination from the police.
“We need to strengthen the reporting and conviction rate by the police,” said Billy who highlighted other areas of concern such as homophobic bullying in schools.
The GS also attacked the football authorities for failing to act to counter homophobia in sport. “There is a failure in the leadership of the Football Association,” said Billy, who claimed two thirds of fans would not have a problem if players came out.
Billy also warned of the danger represented by the electoral breakthrough of the BNP and called for more representation from the CWU workers on gay pride events.
Equality officer Linda Roy told how the CWU was writing to the Polish embassy to complain about homophobia in Poland that has seen an increase of 18.3 per cent rise in homophobic hate crime over the past year.
Linda pointed out that one in five lesbian and gay people were victims of homophobic aggression over the past five years in the UK.
“The rights enshrined in the law took years to gain and we must not lose them now,” said Linda, who quoted Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s commitment to make hate crime a top priority of his government.
Michelle Bridgman, project manager for the Gender Trust, quoted Gandhi’s saying in relation to the struggle of transgender people, namely they ignore you, then ridicule you, then fight you and then you win. “They’ve stopped laughing and are now fighting,” said Michelle.
At least 10,000 people in the UK have changed their gender since birth while 300,000 are struggling with their gender.
Michelle told how the problems for transgender people all arise out of the attitude of people in society. “People react the way that they do because they feel shaken out of their little boxes,” said Michelle, who told how young transgender kids are not taking the abuse any more. “We must celebrate differences and get out and take some risks.”
NUT and LGBT history activist Elly Barnes highlighted how all the policies were there for the LGBT community but it remained for them to be implemented. “Homophobia is caused by ignorance, there is no way we are going to be forced back in the closet,” said Elly, who told how academies and private schools oppose the celebration of LGBT month.
Elly called for LGBT to be celebrated not tolerated in schools and workplaces. “Teachers are scared because it can come back to them personally,” said Elly, who said it was about time that people acknowledged LGBT existed, especially given that they make up 10 per cent of the population.
Elly told how working in school she has endeavoured to integrate LGBT into all departments, including religious education, science and drama. “Role models are important, people have got to be out at work, they must be brave and do it,” said Elly, who told how once educated the homophobic attitudes disappear.
In debating the motions, concerns were expressed over the links of the Conservative Party with homophobic parties in Europe. There was also questioning over Stonewall’s negative attitude to unions and concern over the Jan Moir column in the Daily Mail attacking the LGBT community at the time of the death of singer Stephen Gateley.
Dave Daniels of Grampian and Shetlands saw the article as a sign of the dangerous reactionary forces that are seeking to reverse the gains of recent years. “These rights have been won after long battles and the attacks must be repelled,” said Dave. “The article is typical of the right wing backers of David Cameron and the parties that he is being associated with in Europe.”
Another motion passed expressing concerns over fundamentalist Christian churches claiming to be able to perform exorcism on lesbian and gay people to purge them of homosexuality. “It is highly insulting that they see homosexuality as a disease in need of curing,” said Gary Williams of the Solent branch.
_____
About Me
- Linda Roy
- Lifetime commitment to the trade union and labour movement. Been local workplace and national CWU representative and held many other positions in the CWU. TUC accredited tutor and disability champion. Former Labour town councillor and town Mayor.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Wednesday 16 December 2009
E-Bulletin
The department will be issuing an e-bulletin this week if you are not on are mailing list and require a copy please let us have your e-mail address.
Contact the Equality Department
Linda Roy
Contact the Equality Department
Linda Roy
Date of next Equality Conferences
Just to remind everyone the Black Workers Conference takes place on Saturday 6th February 2010 at the APEX Hotel Dundee.
The Women's Conference takes place on Saturday 20th February 2010 at theVillage Hotel in Coventry.
The Women's Conference takes place on Saturday 20th February 2010 at theVillage Hotel in Coventry.
REPORT
ON
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
This year we moved a motion at the TUC Women’s Conference on legalising prostitution which was lost at the conference.
On 3rd December I attended a European Conference on Human Trafficking in Stockholm. I went with an open mind to listen to how other countries deal with this issue. Below is a report on what I heard and I think the CWU should have a full and frank discussion on this issue and see if we do have the right policy on this issue.
The conference started at 8.30 Maj Britt Theorin a former member of the European Parliament and former member of the Swedish Parliament addressed conference.
Kajsa Wahlberg, Swedish National Rapporteur on human trafficking and Detective Inspector at the National Police Board & Jonas Trolle Detective inspector with the Stockholm police, human trafficking unit. Told conference what they are doing to stop the trafficking.
Sweden criminalized human trafficking for sexual exploitation in July 2002. The remaining forms of human trafficking and purposes of exploitation were criminalized two years later in July 2004. Sweden has also adopted other legislative measures deemed effective in the fight against human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
In Sweden buying sexual services was banned in 1999, under the Act prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, and is punishable by fines or up to six month’s imprisonment. The offence covers all forms of sexual services, whether they are purchased on the street, in brothels or from escort services. It is only the purchase of sexual services that is prohibited, not the act of selling. It was considered most important to motivate those involved in prostitution to attempt to exit without risking punishment.
It appears the average age of people who are trafficked is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Factors that can cause people to seek better conditions and fall victim to human trafficking include poverty, oppression, lack of human rights, lack of social or economic opportunity, and marginalization. Dangers associated with conflict, political instability, civil unrest and natural disasters. Some parents sell their children, not just for the money, but also in the hope the children will escape poverty and try and find a better life and more opportunities. Social or cultural practices can also facilitate human trafficking. The devaluation of women and girls in a society makes them disproportionately vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of gender equality is a significant contributory cause. Individual factors could be such as family conflicts domestic violence.
Without demand for the services that victims are forced to provide, there would be no market for human trafficking. This is a form of slavery
During the afternoon we were shown a DVD about the Dutch Showcase were prostitution has been legalised. This DVD showed a French lady who had been a prostitute talking against the legalisation of prostitution and I listened very intently to what she said. This is slavery no woman sells her body because she enjoys a man violating her body. She said you will find the woman does this service because the woman cannot get a job which is paid well. If she had a good job she would have enough money. Whilst watching the DVD we saw big areas fenced off and there were like partition areas were from about 5 o’clock at night cars would access these areas and prostitutes would carry out there services. On the DVD you could see men just leaving work and calling in for the services it was really in your face do we want this in the UK.
Denise Marshall from the Poppy Project is totally against the legalising of prostitution Denise believes trafficking and prostitution are linked. It appears the UK Government do not think they have a problem but listening to some of the horror stories Dennis told the conference this is not true. Dennis told the conference she recently rescued an 18 year old who told Denise of the day when she SERVICED 40 men when she asked her pimp why on this particular day was there so many men he told her it was Christmas Day how sad this young woman had no idea or no comprehension of what time of year it was.
At the end of conference delegates where asked to sign a petition I have not done this yet as I would like the views of our members on this issue.
Linda Roy
ON
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
This year we moved a motion at the TUC Women’s Conference on legalising prostitution which was lost at the conference.
On 3rd December I attended a European Conference on Human Trafficking in Stockholm. I went with an open mind to listen to how other countries deal with this issue. Below is a report on what I heard and I think the CWU should have a full and frank discussion on this issue and see if we do have the right policy on this issue.
The conference started at 8.30 Maj Britt Theorin a former member of the European Parliament and former member of the Swedish Parliament addressed conference.
Kajsa Wahlberg, Swedish National Rapporteur on human trafficking and Detective Inspector at the National Police Board & Jonas Trolle Detective inspector with the Stockholm police, human trafficking unit. Told conference what they are doing to stop the trafficking.
Sweden criminalized human trafficking for sexual exploitation in July 2002. The remaining forms of human trafficking and purposes of exploitation were criminalized two years later in July 2004. Sweden has also adopted other legislative measures deemed effective in the fight against human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
In Sweden buying sexual services was banned in 1999, under the Act prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, and is punishable by fines or up to six month’s imprisonment. The offence covers all forms of sexual services, whether they are purchased on the street, in brothels or from escort services. It is only the purchase of sexual services that is prohibited, not the act of selling. It was considered most important to motivate those involved in prostitution to attempt to exit without risking punishment.
It appears the average age of people who are trafficked is between 13 and 18 years of age.
Factors that can cause people to seek better conditions and fall victim to human trafficking include poverty, oppression, lack of human rights, lack of social or economic opportunity, and marginalization. Dangers associated with conflict, political instability, civil unrest and natural disasters. Some parents sell their children, not just for the money, but also in the hope the children will escape poverty and try and find a better life and more opportunities. Social or cultural practices can also facilitate human trafficking. The devaluation of women and girls in a society makes them disproportionately vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of gender equality is a significant contributory cause. Individual factors could be such as family conflicts domestic violence.
Without demand for the services that victims are forced to provide, there would be no market for human trafficking. This is a form of slavery
During the afternoon we were shown a DVD about the Dutch Showcase were prostitution has been legalised. This DVD showed a French lady who had been a prostitute talking against the legalisation of prostitution and I listened very intently to what she said. This is slavery no woman sells her body because she enjoys a man violating her body. She said you will find the woman does this service because the woman cannot get a job which is paid well. If she had a good job she would have enough money. Whilst watching the DVD we saw big areas fenced off and there were like partition areas were from about 5 o’clock at night cars would access these areas and prostitutes would carry out there services. On the DVD you could see men just leaving work and calling in for the services it was really in your face do we want this in the UK.
Denise Marshall from the Poppy Project is totally against the legalising of prostitution Denise believes trafficking and prostitution are linked. It appears the UK Government do not think they have a problem but listening to some of the horror stories Dennis told the conference this is not true. Dennis told the conference she recently rescued an 18 year old who told Denise of the day when she SERVICED 40 men when she asked her pimp why on this particular day was there so many men he told her it was Christmas Day how sad this young woman had no idea or no comprehension of what time of year it was.
At the end of conference delegates where asked to sign a petition I have not done this yet as I would like the views of our members on this issue.
Linda Roy
Report on
STUC Disabled Workers Conference
5th 6th December 2009
Delegates attending
Elspeth Bettany
Gary Clarke
Joe Malone NEC
Willie MarshalL
Linda Roy Officer
Tony Seddon
The STUC Disability Conference was held in Dundee this year there were 50 delegates from various unions.
The Conference commenced at 11 am on the Saturday morning Martin Keenan (CWU member) and President of the Scottish TUC opened the conference there was in total on the first morning 4 guest speakers including Pauline Rourke (CWU member) and Chair of the STUC Women’s committee over the two days there was a total of ten speakers. Most speakers talked about the credit crunch and how the most vulnerable in society are being target.
Motions that were heard
Recession and Disabled People
Discrimination, Recession and Welfare Reform
Budget Cuts and Public Sector Duties
The Equality Bill
Disability Discrimination Act
Scottish Trauma Centre of Excellence
Health & Capabilities Policies
Disability Living Allowance
Occupational Health Assessments
Children with Disabilities
Scotland Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People
Shared Surfaces
On the Sunday morning there were two workshops one on Workplace Stress and one on Mental health. Gary Clarke was successful on being elected onto the STUC Disability Committee and I would just mention Elspeth Bettany was presented with a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work over the years on the STUC Disability Committee and I would also like to place my thanks on record to Elsbeth she has done sterling work over the years on behalf of the CWU and will be sorely missed.
Linda Roy
National Equality Officer
STUC Disabled Workers Conference
5th 6th December 2009
Delegates attending
Elspeth Bettany
Gary Clarke
Joe Malone NEC
Willie MarshalL
Linda Roy Officer
Tony Seddon
The STUC Disability Conference was held in Dundee this year there were 50 delegates from various unions.
The Conference commenced at 11 am on the Saturday morning Martin Keenan (CWU member) and President of the Scottish TUC opened the conference there was in total on the first morning 4 guest speakers including Pauline Rourke (CWU member) and Chair of the STUC Women’s committee over the two days there was a total of ten speakers. Most speakers talked about the credit crunch and how the most vulnerable in society are being target.
Motions that were heard
Recession and Disabled People
Discrimination, Recession and Welfare Reform
Budget Cuts and Public Sector Duties
The Equality Bill
Disability Discrimination Act
Scottish Trauma Centre of Excellence
Health & Capabilities Policies
Disability Living Allowance
Occupational Health Assessments
Children with Disabilities
Scotland Wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People
Shared Surfaces
On the Sunday morning there were two workshops one on Workplace Stress and one on Mental health. Gary Clarke was successful on being elected onto the STUC Disability Committee and I would just mention Elspeth Bettany was presented with a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work over the years on the STUC Disability Committee and I would also like to place my thanks on record to Elsbeth she has done sterling work over the years on behalf of the CWU and will be sorely missed.
Linda Roy
National Equality Officer
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