amicus-lgbt
For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans members of Unite (Amicus Section)![[jump to menu]](images/spacer.gif)
History of amicus-lgbt
[Note that this document is constantly being expanded and updated. Last major update: 2007-02-06]
amicus-lgbt traces its history back to 1989, which was designated as Equal Opportunities year. MSF, one of the predecessor unions of amicus, set up an Equal Opportunities committee to organise events throughout the year. Although representatives were drawn from the committees for Women, Youth, Retired, and Black and Ethnic Minority members, there was no committee for lesbian and gay members. At the end of 1989 a sub-group of lesbian and gay members, then called LAGIM, produced the first MSF leaflet on Lesbian and Gay Rights At Work. It was agreed that LAGIM, who had worked hard throughout the Equal Opportunities Year, would continue to meet on a regular basis in line with the other equalities committees. Our first task was to contact other lesbian and gay members in the union while recruiting new people to the group. Gradually our mailing list grew and grew and our regular mailings were replaced by a newsletter. We also established the Helpline (08457 413092) which new and current members can call for advice and information. This is operated by an amicus-lgbt member and is completely confidential. Using the helpline, we have put members in touch with Regional Officers to sort out their problems within a matter of hours.
In 1997 LAGIM became a fully-fledged sub-committee of the National Executive Commmittee, finally achieving the status that we had sought eight years before.
During the 1990s, we extended our remit twice, to include bisexual and trans people.
In 2000 the merger of MSF and AEEU was announced. In 2002 we collectively decided to adopt the new name amicus-lgbt to reflect the inclusive nature of our group and our position in the new union, amicus.
From the outset the rule book of amicus included provision for an LGBT equalities structure. Further gains were achieved at the 2005 Rules Conference in Brighton. LGBT members are now entitled to:
- LGBT forums in each of the twelve regions, which meet once every two years.
- A National LGBT Committee, with representatives elected by the regional LGBT forums. The three largest regions, London, Scotland and North West England, each provide two delegates, with the remaining nine regions providing one each. All members of the National Committee are lay members. The Secretary to the Committee is Siobhan Endean (amicus Head of Equalities).
- An LGBT Delegate on each of amicus's twelve Regional Councils.
- In each region, a Regional LGBT Committee of up to 12 members, elected at the LGBT Forum. These committees meet quarterly and work closely with their Regional Council delegate. Meetings are open to any LGBT member of amicus.
Some of our work
- Our main aim is to secure and defend equal rights within and outwith the workplace, and we have vigorously campaigned on this basis since the start.
- We have taken up the cases of a number of members who have been victimised at work because of their sexual orientation, often acting as first point of contact.
- We were one of the leading organisations in the Lesbian & Gay Carers Campaign, organising to change the discriminatory policy of the Childrens' Society, which barred all lesbian and gay couples as carers.
- We were very supportive of the Lisa Grant v South-West trains case - this would have made legal history if it had succeeded in forcing a train company to give free travel to same-sex partners, as it does for opposite-sex partners. The precendent would have been set that all employee benefits must be given equally to same-sex partners. Unfortunately, despite a brave effort by Lisa, her partner Jill, and her lawyers, this case was lost, but the campaign for equal employee benefits goes on.
- We participate in regional TUC LGBT committees and the TUC National LGBT Conference.
The future
At the time of writing (February 2006), amicus members are being balloted on the question of a merger with the Transport and General Workers' union (TGWU). If approved, the New Union will be the largest union in Britain and Ireland.
The provisions outlined for LGBT and the other equalities strands in the proposed Instrument of Amalgamation are broadly comparable to those that exist today in amicus.
General Information
Joining Unite
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Page last modified: 2007-02-06 21:23:48 +0100 (Disclaimer)
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