Malawi pardons gay couple

In an earlier post I reported that a gay couple in Malawi had been jailed for 14 years. They have now been pardoned thanks to pressure from trade unions amongst many others. We can make a difference. More here http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/29/malawi-frees-jailed-gay-couple

Support Mike Findley

Next Saturday June 5th sees an event taking place in Redcar which I urge as many of you as possible to support. It's in aid of the Mike Findley MND (Motor Neuron Disease)Fund. Mike is a my former divisional rep. On 17th June 2005 he was diagnosed with having Motor Neurone Disease. Although this news was a great shock, Mike being Mike, along with his family and friends formed “The Mike Findley MND Fund” which to date has raised £50,458.43 for research.
 In 2003 and again in 2007 Mike was elected a Redcar Borough Councillor for the Longbeck Ward, which covers part of Marske and all of New Marske. Then in 2007 he was elected Deputy Mayor then becoming Mayor in 2008. When he attended over 300 functions.
 In January 2010 he was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, for Charity work in Redcar and Cleveland.

 The CWU will be well represented on the day which starts with a "Morning of Music”. This will take place betweeen 10am & 12.30am in Marske Square, invited are Country & Western singers, Marske Brass Band, Robsons Acadamy Irish Dancers plus Young Entertainers & hopefully others.
  The main event is the “Walk to D’feet – Sponsored Walk” at 1pm.. The walkers will be sent on their way by “Voice of the Boro” Alastair Brownlee”, Ali will also be taking part with his pet dog Benjamin. The walk will start from Marske Square to Redcar Boating Lake. All registered walkers get a Free ‘T’ Shirt to walk in to help raise awareness of this terrible disease along the route.
 Please try and attend. To register please contact Mike by email:- mikefindley@ntlworld.com or call 07805764212. If you can’t make it maybe you would be good enough to sponsor Mike and his Team who are taking it in turn to push him in the wheelchair.

Cleggcons equality plan announced

I wasn't sure whether to post this but we are stuck with the Cleggcons until another government is elected and we have to work with them.

The Coalition Programme for Government was published on 20 May 2010. It gives commitments across the Equalities agenda and will form the basis of the work that the Government Equalities Office will now take forward.

  The Government believes that there are many barriers to social mobility and equal opportunities in Britain to-day, and promises concerted action to help build a fairer society. Specific commitments include:
•‘We will promote equal pay and take a range of measures to end discrimination in the workplace.
•We will extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, consulting with business on how best to do so.
•We will undertake a fair pay review in the public sector to implement our proposed “20 times” pay multiple.
•We will look to promote gender equality on the boards of listed companies.
•We will promote improved community relations and opportunities for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, including by providing internships for under-represented minorities in every Whitehall department and funding a targeted national enterprise mentoring scheme for BAME people who want to start a business.
•We will stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.
•We will use our relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights and for UK civil partnerships to be recognised internationally.’
In addition Ministers have committed to implement the Equality Act 2010, and there are important commitments relevant to our work in other parts of the Programme.


You an read more here http://www.edf.org.uk/blog/?p=6410

Another conference has passed.

Well that's it. Another CWU conference is over. For me it was a bit of a strange affair. I don't know what it is but there was something missing. Anyone agree? For the equality department the conference had it's highs and lows. Our stall was well attended and we distributed just about all of our publications to delegates. In fact we had to send for more from HQ. The equality disco was an outstanding success thanks to the generosity of our branches and delegates who raised £1016 for our Just a Drop project. Absolutely brilliant. We're not far short of our target and I'll be making an anoouncement about where we are in a month or so.  On the down side I had to cancel the equality fringe due to the non appearance of speakers. One has subsquentlyapologised but I am still annoyed with others. Still that's life I suppose.

Malawi Court convicts gay couple

I am grateful to Laurie Smith for bringing this to my attention.
  A court in Malawi has convicted a gay couple of gross indecency and unnatural acts. Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, were arrested in December 2009 after celebrating their engagement. They have been in jail ever since and could now face 14 years in prison.
  They had denied both charges and their arrest had sparked a debate about homosexuality in the country.
Malawi's religious and political leaders say homosexuality is wrong but a gay rights group has recently been set up to campaign for the law to be changed.
  The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says the government is also coming under pressure from Western donors over the issue. Read more in Pink News here
  In the week that we celebrated IDAHO day this can only strengthen our resolve to support all emmbers of the LGBT community who are persecuted because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Cleggcons plan to privatise Royal Mail

Here we go again. According to todays Guardian the Cleggcons are preparing plans to privatise Royal Mail. Let them try! Read more here.

Come on guys don't be bashful!

Did you know that over 10,000 men in the UK die from prostate cancer and 70 from testicular cancer every year. The Institute for Cancer Research is currently raising awareness of these serious isssues through it's Everyman campaign. You can find out more here.

Letter to Vince Cable

This letter appeared in the Guardian today. please read it and pass it on. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/17/vince-cable-royal-mail-letter

Put on a happy face!

Mental health charity MIND have launched a campaign to improve the workplace environment. Watch the campaign video at http://www.mind.org.uk/employment?dm_i=CZC,4RWT,1KOTBL,EUCV,1#film

Supporting Migrant Rights

The Migrants' Rights Network (MRN) is working for a rights-based approach to migration, with migrants as full partners in developing the policies and procedures which affect life in the UK. MRN's latest newsletter has just been produced. it explores many issues including those which did or did not surface in the general election campaign. Find out more here.

New Equalities Minister appointed

The Government has announced the appointment of Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone as the new Minister for Equalities. Don't know a great deal about her but she's a millionaire apprently. More here.

International Day Against Homophobia

Today is International Day Against Homophobia. Spare a thought for the thousands of members of the LGBT community throughout the world who are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The CW U will not desert you.

Stress in the workplace costs £26 billion

Members of the CWU will know the union has taken a lead role in promoting zero tolerance to bullying and harassment in the ppostal, telecommunications and financial services industries. Mental health charity MIND estimates that stress related bullying costs £26 billion a year. Tomorrow MIND will launch a five-year campaign to improve the nation's well-being by challenging stigma, bullying and inadequate support services in the workplace. This comes on top of its wider three-year £20m anti-stigma campaign, "Time to Change" a project the union supports, which finishes next year. Full report here.

Blackpool Pride

It's Blackpool pride this weekend. Download a brochure here.

Conference Equality Disco

Delegates and visitors to the CWU annual get together are invited to the pre-conference event to be at. That is the Equality Disco which takes place from 7.30pm till late at the Premier Inn hotel in Bournemouth.  
  Meet old friends, make new ones, chill out before conference. All proceeds go to our CWU Humanitarian Aid "Just a Drop" project which aims to provide a water supply to a village in Tanzania.  Read more here.

NEC election results

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2010, POSTAL INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVE 2010, TELECOMS & FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVE 2010, CLERICAL ORGANISATIONAL & OCCUPATIONAL COMMITTEE 2010

National Executive Council – Postal Constituency NEC Representatives
Result (13 to elect)
BROWNE, Phil................................................... 6,980 Elected
KAVANAGH, Mick............................................... 6,630 Elected
McLEAN, Lesley................................................. 6,380 Elected
BAULCH, Mark.................................................. 6,365 Elected
McCLEAN, Noel................................................. 6,233 Elected
WARD, Ian....................................................... 6,207 Elected
MADEN, Carl..................................................... 6,029 Elected
ROBERTSON, Davie............................................. 5,919 Elected
MALONE, Joe.................................................... 5,863 Elected
KEENLYSIDE, Pete.............................................. 5,760 Elected
QUIRKE, Katrina................................................. 5,714 Elected
DAVIES, Huw.................................................... 5,200 Elected
WEATHERALL, Bobby........................................... 4,963 Elected
ALI, Mahmood................................................... 4,844
HISCOX, Steve.................................................. 4,809
O’DONNELL, Paul............................................... 4,747
National Executive Council – Postal Technical Services Constituency NEC Representative
JONES, Steve............................. Elected Unopposed
National Executive Council – Engineering Constituency NEC Representatives
Result (4 to elect)
SIMPSON, Fred.................................................. 3,349 Elected
O’BRIEN, Brendan.............................................. 3,100 Elected
GIBB, Andy...................................................... 3,061 Elected
HEATHER, Gary................................................. 3,023 Elected
TRIM, Simon..................................................... 2,948 ...................................................................
CATTERALL, Steve.............................................. 2,921
TILL, Jeffrey.................................................... 2,700
National Executive Council – Clerical Constituency NEC Representatives
Result (3 to elect)
UPTON, Julia.................................................... 1,282 Elected
BEESE, Eddie.................................................... 1,139 Elected
COLK, Graham.................................................. 1,110 Elected
BELL, David..................................................... 658
WALDER, Clive.................................................. 435
KIETZ, Linda..................................................... 384

National Executive Council - Operator & Ancillary Constituency - Chair
ALCOCK, Carol............................ Elected Unopposed
Postal Industrial Executive - Chair
LOFTUS, Jane............................. Elected Unopposed
Postal Industrial Executive – Vice-Chair
DONAGHY, Peter......................... Elected Unopposed
Postal Industrial Executive – Postal Technical Services Constituency Representative
STEEL, Bill................................ Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive - Chair
BOWMAN, Davie.......................... Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Engineering Constituency Chair
ELDRED, Allan............................ Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Engineering Constituency Vice-Chair
EXALL, Maria.............................. Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Engineering Constituency Representatives
Result (8 to elect)
ANDREWS, Dan.................................................. 3,367 Elected
McGLYNN, Chic................................................. 3,214 Elected
COOPER, Tom................................................... 3,192 Elected
RYAN, Gerry..................................................... 3,171 Elected
GIBB, Andy...................................................... 3,068 *
JUKES, Dave.................................................... 3,060 Elected
CATTERALL, Steve.............................................. 3,055 Elected
TILL, Jeffrey.................................................... 3,051 Elected
ALLEYNE, Gus.................................................3,035 Elected
TRIM, Simon..................................................... 3,029
SIMPSON, Fred.................................................. 2,868
BROWETT, Steve................................................ 2,623
HOUGHTON, Mick............................................... 2,254
* already elected as NEC Representative.
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Clerical Constituency Chair
SHEPHERD, Beryl......................... Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Clerical Constituency Vice-Chair
Result (1 to elect)
ROSE, Karen..................................................... 1,310 Elected
TAGGART, Mark................................................. 1,156
Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive – Clerical Constituency Representatives
Result (2 to elect)
TURNBULL, John................................................ 1,228 Elected
DARBYSHIRE, Nick.............................................. 1,116 Elected
WALDER, Clive.................................................. 943 ...................................................................
KIETZ, Linda..................................................... 392
Clerical Organisational & Occupational Committee
Result (5 to elect)
KENNY, Brian.................................................... 1,222 Elected
HARDY, Debbie................................................. 1,167 Elected
ALLDRITT, Robert............................................... 1,147 Elected
WALMSLEY, Sandra............................................. 989 Elected
HANKEY, Kate................................................... 970 Elected
ELLSBURY, John................................................ 868
FEENAN, Patricia................................................ 801
WALDER, Clive.................................................. 475
KIETZ, Linda..................................................... 410
Operator & Ancillary Constituency - Chair
ALCOCK, Carol............................ Elected Unopposed
Operator & Ancillary Constituency – Vice-Chair
FUSSEY, Tracy............................ Elected Unopposed
Operator & Ancillary Constituency – Telecoms & Financial Services Industrial Executive
KNIGHT, Jean............................. Elected Unopposed
Operator & Ancillary Organisational & Occupational Committee
JACKMAN, Cathy......................... Elected Unopposed
MARTIN, Trisha........................... Elected Unopposed
NEWALL, Cathy........................... Elected Unopposed
QUEEN, Thomas.......................... Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary TFS (Clerical)
GAVINE, Jim.............................. Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary TFS (O & A)
BRIDGE, Sally............................. Elected Unopposed

Legal update - Conduct dismissal appeal

I am indebted to daniel barnett Employment Law Serivces for supplying the following summary of a recent ET Appeal concerning Conduct Dismissal.
  The Court of Appeal has handed down its decision in Salford NHS Trust v Roldan, which is authority for three propositions:-

1. The more serious the consequences of dismissal for the employee, the more careful an investigation is required. Thus, in this case, a more careful investigation was needed because the consequence of dismissal was thta the employee would be deported.
2. An employer faced with a conflict of evidence between two witnesses is not obliged to believe one employee and to disbelieve the other. If it is unable to resolve the conflict, it is perfectly proper to give the alleged wrongdoer the benefit of the doubt.
3. Where a tribunal has properly directed itself in accordance with Burchell v British Home Stores, its conclusion should not be overturned unless there is no evidence to support it, or unless it is perverse.

The full case can be found here

Go to a Gay Pride event

This weekend sees Blackpool's annual Pride event taking place as part of the Gay Pride Festival season which is well under way. These are a wonderful testament to how diverse our society is and the CWU LGBT members have always played an active part in participating on these wonderful occasions. Indeed it is not something exclusively for LGBT people as anyone who appreciates diversity will be interested in going along.
  Every single Pride Event taking place will be a fantastic day out for the whole family. The more people who go along and enjoy the proceedings that will be taking place the more the general tolerance levels of society will be increased. The LGBT community still face a huge amount of discrimination and general mis-understanding and PRIDE is an opportunity for these misgivings to be put right.
  The CWU's LGBTAC will be present at many of the Pride Festivals and the full list of the events can be viewed by clicking here.

Big profits and exapnsion of super fast broadband at BT

According to the London Evening Standard BT has made almost £1billion profit in the financial year to the end of March. BT has also announced the expansion of it's super fast broadband program. No doubt my memebrs in BT will be getting a big pay rise. Full story here.

Celebrate world International Day Against Homophobia - Join the global Kiss In!

Next Monday, May 17th, is IDAHO day. This date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s May 1990 decision to remove homo-sexuality from its list of mental disorders. This was a historic step towards considering freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity as a fundamental basic human right. Cities throughout he world will be holding Kiss In events to celebrate.
  The CWU's Education Department has kindly agreed to erect a permanent memorial in the Alverscot gardens to all those from the LGBT community who have suffered persecution simply because of their sexual orientation/gender identity.All contributions are welcome. They can be sent to me at HQ. Thank you to our LGBT committee for bringing this project to fruition.

I was wrong. Now I'm depressed

Sadly the election result was not the one forecast by participants in my latest poll. I'm depressed.

It's a Labour victory!

The result of my election poll is Labour 57%. Lib Dems 30%. Others 11%. Conservatives 0%. That'll do for me. A new Labour Government. Thanks to all who took part. Cross fingers that the only poll that matters produces the same result. It's going to be a long night.

Preparing for the next (Conservative) government - £6 billion of cutbacks

The Times reports today that mandarins in Whitehall are already preparing plans to cut £6 billion of spending mainly in public services if the Conservatives get in. Read more here

Vote for Hope - not Hate!

BNP candidate Bob Bailey - the party's top official in London - has been filmed viciously attacked a young man in the street. If anyone has any doubts about the BNP watch this video and vote for HOPE NOT HATE. The racists and fascists will not win.

Single Equality Act 2010

The TUC have provided this guide to the forthcoming Equality Act.

How will you vote?

Take part in my totally unscientific election poll on the left. The result will be announced at 10.01pm tomorrow.

Make politics work for you!

The TUC is distributing this leaflet. It's  excellent.

It's been a good day

Today was the day of the CWU's annual Equality Officers seminar. Branches throughout the UK sent representatives to headqurters to hear contributions from speakers from the TUC, Simpson and Millar, Kick it Out, Operation Black Vote and DGS's Dave Ward and Andy Kerr. I'll post a full report here and on the CWU website as soon as I've written it. Thanks to everyone for attending and for the work you all do delivering our equality and diversity objectives.