What is Equality ?
Equality refers to the state of being equal in terms of rights, opportunities, or status.
It encompasses the idea that all individuals should be treated fairly and without discrimination based on factors such as gender, race, religion, or social background.
In an equal society, everyone has the same access to resources, benefits, and privileges, regardless of their differences.
Striving for equality is essential for building a just and inclusive world where everyone can thrive and contribute to the collective well-being.
UNITE IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO EQUALITY FOR ALL, AND THE MEMBERS OF OUR UNION ARE A STRONG REPRESENTATION OF THE DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
Equal and fair treatment both at work and in society is a key priority for our union, and we make it clear that we all have a duty to challenge discrimination, harassment and bullying whenever possible.
UNITE acts on behalf of its members and bargains with employers to achieve greater equality within the workplace.
'TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL, INCLUDING ACTIVELY OPPOSING PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF GENDER, ETHNIC ORIGIN, RELIGION, CLASS, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AGE, DISABILITY, CARING RESPONSIBILITIES; AND TO PURSUE EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE'.
We oppose the current government’s agenda of division, greed, prejudice, and inequality.
We need investment in jobs, in real opportunities, not racist ‘vans of hate’ and attacks on the Equality Act.
Youth unemployment, women’s poverty, pregnancy discrimination, hate crime, disabled workers access, lack of opportunities for black workers, workplace bullying and harassment, cuts to support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people, poverty in retirement - all need action now.
WE OPPOSE AND CHALLENGE THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO REFUSE TO DEAL WITH DISCRIMINATION AND TO ERADICATE BARRIERS TO EQUALITY AND FAIR PAY. CONTINUING TO CALL FOR STATUTORY RIGHTS FOR UNION EQUALITY REPRESENTATIVES MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE WORKPLACE.
UNITE is committed to the empowerment of all working people and in tackling under representation and discrimination against our members.
UNITE believes that in order to tackle discrimination, it is essential to ensure those who experience that discrimination are at the forefront of our campaigns and their voices are heard.
UNITE takes positive action through minimum proportional representation of women, Black and Asian ethnic minority members on all constitutional committees, equality monitoring of our membership and established constitutional committees and conferences to represent and empower the interests of our Women, Black and Asian Ethnic Minority, Disabled and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans members.
UNITE’s National Women’s Committee and National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Committee came together to agree the following statement on gender, which was also agreed by the Unite Executive Council.
UNITE believes in the principle of self-determination and empowerment through collective action as the route to tackling the discrimination that working class people face. UNITE believes that by working together and tackling discrimination and oppression faced by our individual members we improve the working conditions of all workers.
Respect and tolerance are crucial, and we oppose all hate crime, bullying and harassment, we therefore oppose any construct of a debate which seeks to divide and set one group of workers against another and will defend our members against any homophobic, transphobic, or sexist hate language or abuse.
UNITE ALSO BELIEVES THAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISAGREE.
UNITE recognises that there are people who do not identify as either male or female whose identities are not widely recognised by society. Individuals with non-binary titles, pronouns, and modes of dress as well as the issues associated with being unable to express one’s gender identity within the workplace.
UNITE believes there is a lot of work to be done, across both workplaces and Government, to recognise additional gender identities.
UNITE BELIEVES THAT ANY WORKER HAS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THEIR GENDER IDENTITY WITHOUT UNNECESSARY MEDICALISATION AND SUPPORTS THE REVIEW OF THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR GENDER RECOGNITION PROCESS / CERTIFICATE.
ALL UNITE MEMBERS WHO IDENTIFY AS WOMEN AND MEET THE RULE 6 QUALIFICATIONS OF BEING A UNION WORKPLACE REPRESENTATIVE IN EMPLOYMENT ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WOMEN’S STRUCTURE OF UNITE.
UNITE recognises that sex discrimination at work arises from deeply ingrained patriarchal and systemic oppression of women and that our Women’s structure empowers women through a process of democratic policy making and collective action against gender stereotyping, occupational segregation, violence, harassment and pay discrimination and recognising our diversity as black, asian and ethnic minority women, lesbian, bisexual and trans women, disabled women, younger and older women.
UNITE’s Women’s structure has prioritised the gender pay gap, social security and pensions, decent work and employment rights, equality monitoring and auditing, positive action to tackle under representation of women, flexible working and decent child care, pregnancy discrimination, menopause, abortion rights, gender sensitive health and safety, sexual harassment and violence against women, a woman’s right to choose a legal safe abortion on the NHS and the right to organise in a trade union.
UNITE recognises that some of these issues may well affect trans men, and not all of these issues affect trans women.
UNITE’s Women’s structure supports women only spaces in addition to gender neutral spaces and is particularly concerned that our trans members should be protected the from harassment and violence they face from the lack of gender-neutral space.
UNITE addresses the issues of transphobia within its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans structure.
All Unite members who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans and meet the rule 6 qualifications of being a union workplace representative in employment are welcome to participate in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans structure of Unite.
UNITE’s LGBT structure and union reps play a crucial role to ensure discrimination against our Trans members is prevented and a trans friendly environment is created in workplaces.
Unite’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans structure has prioritised tackling transphobic hate crime and negotiating trans workplace policies.
BY WORKING TOGETHER TO TACKLE THE DISCRIMINATION WE ALL FACE, UNITE BELIEVES THAT WE WILL CREATE A MORE TOLERANT, FAIRER SOCIETY FOR ALL.
WE RECOGNISE THAT MANY OF THE ISSUES WE FACE ARE INTERSECTIONAL AND AT THE SAME TIME WE REJECT THE NOTION OF HIERARCHY OF OPPRESSION.
WE OPPOSE DIVISION BETWEEN OUR WOMEN’S MOVEMENT AND OUR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANS MOVEMENT, OUR CAMPAIGNS TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION ARE INCLUSIVE AND MEMBER LED.
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BAEM (Black and Asian Ethnic Minorities)
equality is a key priority in the workplace and beyond. Unite campaigns for fair treatment for all and recognises the responsibility of everyone in the Union to challenge racism in the workplace, the union and our society.
BAEM workers face higher levels of unemployment and racism at work and Unite Race Forward Campaign action plans are targeted at union reps to support them in tackling racism in the workplace.
We must all work together to promote race equality and ensure that BAEM members continue to play a key role in our union and to increase their involvement at every level.
DISABLED WORKERS
Unite opposes discrimination against disabled men and women and supports practical action for disability equality.
Our union represents many disabled workers in workplaces throughout industry and including in Remploy and supported employment.
Challenging discrimination, bullying and harassment of disabled people in the workplace, disability hate crime in the community and winning real equality of opportunity is a priority for our union
WOMEN
Unite represents a third of a million working women across industries and services in a wide range of jobs.
Unite’s Women’s structure has prioritised the gender pay gap, social security and pensions, decent work and employment rights, equality monitoring and auditing, positive action to tackle under representation of women, flexible working and decent childcare, pregnancy discrimination, menopause, abortion rights, gender sensitive health and safety, sexual harassment and violence against women, a woman’s right to choose a legal safe abortion on the NHS and the right to organise in a trade union.
LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)
LGBT+ equality in the workplace continues to be hard fought for. Many LGBT workers face harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We are raising awareness and campaigning for LGBT+ equality and encourage LGBT workers to join and become active in our union.
Union reps should make sure that they publicise UNITE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender regional and national structures in their workplaces including displaying posters and leaflets that members can discreetly take home.
Our reps have a responsibility to act in an approachable, non-judgemental, and confidential way when dealing with trans members' issues, listening to the member, and finding out what support they may need and remember each case is different.