This page contains updates on developments concerning equality issues.
Please be aware of the TUC LGBT Conference to be held on Thursday/Friday, 1st / 2nd July 2010. UCU is also looking to send 16 people to the LGBT delegation meeting on Wed 30th June. This elects the Committee and decides TUC LGBT policy.
Anyone interested in joining the delegation or attending the conference, please contact Seth Atkin (seth.atkin@ucu.org.uk). Closing date for delegation: 8th April.
Hitherto separate legislation has governed the duty of employers in respect of gender, disability and race, but under the single Equality Act, which is shortly to be implemented, all the equality strands are to be brought under one piece of legislation, covering gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief, and age. This is a very important development in which Unions have a positive role to play.
Within the University, UCU has representatives on the Equality and Diversity Forum, chaired by the Associate Vice-President for Equality issues.
The University, like all employers, has a legal obligation to enforce positive duty legislation.
Manchester UCU has also set up a Equality Working Group, with members representing the different equality strands, to act as a consultative body for UCU whenever equality issues arise. We want to develop this Group and invite anyone wishing to join to contact the UCU office. It has set a pattern of meeting three times a year and members belonging are notified in advance.
Updated March 2010