Equality structures
Special announcement - Unite Equality
Structures
HAVE YOUR SAY! - Unite Equality
Structures
Unite Reps will shortly receive an invite to
the Unite Regional Equality Conferences which are scheduled to take
place in October 2009. Siobhan Endean, Unite National Officer for
Equalities explains the importance of these Conferences.
“Unite equality structures are an important
part of our union’s formal democratic decision making processes and
are a central part of our union’s rule book. These structures
are an opportunity for workplace reps to have their say in the way
our union works and the issues that the union tackles in the
workplace.
The equality structures are an important
aspect of our union’s positive action agenda to ensure that all
voices are heard when we are determining our union’s policy, and to
tackle the under representation of members who face discrimination
in the workplace.
The Unite Executive Council has decided to
hold the first Unite Equality Conferences in each region in October
2009. These conferences are new to many workplace reps and it is
important to spread the word on how to get involved.
All Regions will be holding Regional Equality
Conferences for:-
- Women members who are reps who can attend the
Regional Women’s Conference
- BAME members who are reps who can
attend the Regional BAME Conference
- Disabled members who are reps who can attend
the Regional Disability Conference
- LGBT members who are reps who can attend the
Regional LGBT Conference
Delegates to these Conferences will be able to raise issues that
they feel the union should be campaigning on which will help to
formulate an action plan and organising strategy in their
region. The Conferences will also discuss motions that will
be forwarded to the National Committee and elect a Regional
Committee that will take forward the issues that are discussed at
the Conference.
In order to be nominated to stand for election for a Regional
Equality Committee, Workplace reps will need to be nominated by
their Area Activist Committee or Regional Industrial Sector
Committee. If you wish to stand for election for any of the
Regional Equality Committees you must attend the Area Activist
Meetings and Regional Industrial Sector Conferences that will be
held in July and September in your region in addition to attending
the Regional Equality Conferences in October. We would also
recommend that you stand for election for your Area Activist
Committee and Regional Industrial Sector Committee. You will need
to inform your Regional Office that you wish to stand for election
for a Regional Equality Committee prior to your attendance at the
Area Activist Meeting and Regional Industrial Sector
Conferences. Nominations will not be accepted on the day of
these events.
It’s very important to Unite that your voices are heard in the
regional industrial and equality structures of our union. I hope
that you will be able to attend and raise the issues that are most
important to you. I look forward to meeting you at the regional
equality conferences in October.
