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Equality forums aim to increase involvementFrom the beginning of next year the union is to have new equalities committees, called divisional equalities forums, in each of its seven divisions. This new policy was agreed at the 2005 ADM with delegates voting overwhelmingly in favour of the new equalities forums. Equalities officer Ruth Cross explains what this will mean for the existing women's and race relations committees and how the new all embracing forums will operate. The new forums mean that for the first time the union will have seats in the divisions for women, black and minority ethnic members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members and disabled members. This is a really exciting step forward for the union. For many years now, along with other unions, we have been working hard to reach out to our women members in the divisions and working with black and minority ethnic members. Usdaw has had women's committees and a race relations committee for more than 10 years now. These were set up because Usdaw's women and black members were under-involved in the union and it was recognised this was wrong. We wanted to take positive steps to reach out to these members, encourage them to become active within the union and make sure that they had a voice. The committees have done just that. They have succeeded in getting more women and black members involved in the union, helped to get issues onto our agenda that otherwise wouldn't be there and helped to grow the union by generating ideas and activities. However, there are other groups that face discrimination in society and are therefore under-involved in the union - our disabled and LGBT members. At the moment they struggle to get their voices heard. The new equalities forums will for the first time reach out to and involve these two groups of members as well. In addition to developing our work on disability, race equality and sexual orientation, the new forums will continue to reach out to women in the workplace and keep issues like sexual harassment, domestic violence and equal pay on our agenda. The following four groups of members can sit on the forums:
If you are interested in sitting on your divisional equalities forum and want to help reach out to these groups of members then we need you!
How to get involvedAll you need to do is to fill in a nomination form and return it either to your local office or to the women & equalities section at central office. If you can't sit on the forums but know someone who can and is interested please let them know.A nomination form has been sent to activists and you can photocopy the form if you need more copies. You can also telephone your divisional office for a nomination form or download one here The nomination forms are also available in braille or large print, on request. The nominations process runs from now until the end of September. Nominations will be considered by divisional councils at their October meeting. For more information on any equal opportunities issue contact Ruth Cross or Jo Bird on 0161 224 2804 or e-mail womenandequalities@usdaw.org.uk  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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