amicus-lgbt
For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans members of Unite (Amicus Section)![[jump to menu]](images/spacer.gif)
Amicus South West LGBT Forum Election Results
Regional Council: Lindsey Ward, Substitute: Lesley Mansell
Regional Committee: Nigel Marley, Lesley Mansell, Rob Regan, Lindsey Ward
National Conference: As Regional Committee
National Committee: Lindsey Ward, Substitute: Lesley Mansell
Minutes - Amicus SW Regional LGBT Committee
Dated Saturday 13th May 2006
Amicus Head Office Ham Green Bristol
Attendees
Lindsey Ward (Chair)
Nigel Marley
Rob Regan
Alan Phippen (Guest Speaker from NASUWT)
Apologies:
Lesley Mansell
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Strategy for Amicus LGBT Committee 2006
3. Guest Speaker
4. Support to Single Equalities Bill consultation (Equalities South West 25th May)
5. Any Other Business, including -
- Regional Council (Next Meeting 21st June)
- National LGBT Conference
- TUC LGBT Conference (29-30th June)
1. Introduction
This is the first Amicus South West regional LGBT Committee meeting to be held. The objectives are to provide a strong link between the regional LGBT committee, SW Regional Council, National LGBT committee and TUC; to define and implement a communication network; and supporting actions for LGBT members.
2. Strategy for SW LGBT Committee
Issues discussed included the following: -
Communication: -
Contact LGBT database is out of date as this originated from MSF days.
Equality monitoring which includes Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity is now being included within the new work place reps forms.
The new Amicus Membership form is slightly different as this now includes the following and allows you to specify yourself: -
"Amicus is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities for all and it is the Union's aim to provide services and support to members that is free from discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or disability"
In addition to this, additional voluntary equalities monitoring for current lay membership should be encouraged in line to this Amicus commitment.
Election results from the LGBT forum to be publicised.
Concern raised that notification of Equality forums via the Amicus Magazine were issued too late as most forums had already taken place.
3. Guest Speaker
We were pleased to have Alan Phippen who gave a good overview of LGBT activities within NASUWT, which certainly gave our committee some ideas about best practice on areas covering communication and understanding LGBT demographics within their union.
Links to other Trade Union Organisations: -
With the current small numbers of attendees to this meeting and the regional forum, there was a proposal to hold joint meetings between Amicus and other trade unions covering LGBT issues locally. However, it was recognised this committee's work must concentrate on supporting Amicus LGBT members first. Where it would be advantageous to network more closely with sister unions, the forum for this should be through the TUC's "Union Out West", with whom we have strong links via Lindsey.
UNISON has contacted the committee with a view to explore the exchange of info / mutual aims and maybe work towards some form of link between Amicus and the UNISON SW LGBT Groups? Again it was suggested that the TUC's Union's Out West should be used as the facilitator for this.
Other regional union LGBT contacts will be pursued as mentioned above.
Action- Alan Phippen & Lindsey Ward to raise this issue with Nigel Costley (Regional Secretary South West TUC) at the TUC Executive Strategy day 24th May.
4. Support to Single Equalities Bill consultation (Equalities South West 25th May)
Equality South West is holding a consultation event scheduled for the 25th May in Taunton. It is important that representatives from each trade union attend this meeting and contribute to this event. For further information, please contact Tim Roberts (Equalities South West) Tel 01823 250832.
Committee discussed feedback regarding LGB issues relative to Goods & Services.
Feedback was also received following discussions between Lindsey Ward and Stephen Whittle (Press for Change) regarding Trans issues. These will also be forwarded to this consultation event.
5. A.O.B. -
- Regional Council next meeting 21st June.
- Minutes from committee meeting, including the Regional LGBT forum's election results to be publicised.
- Feedback from Equalities South West consultation to be issued.
- Regional Secretary to raise the concern to the Head of Equalities regarding the late notification of Equality forums via the Amicus Magazine.
- Request support from Regional Secretary for Bristol Pride.
- National LGBT Conference (Date of next meeting required)
- TUC LGBT Conference: 29-30th June.
- Reviewed feedback from Regional Council.
- Discuss strategy for National LGBT conference and how this affects regional committee activities.
Next meeting
This to be arranged after the TUC LGBT Conference.
General Information
Joining Unite
©2005-2008 amicus-lgbt web adminstrator - All Rights Reserved
Page last modified: 2007-01-12 00:28:50 +0100 (Disclaimer)
«amicus-lgbt, the networking and campaigning group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans members in the Amicus Section of the Unite trade union»