Reps Handbook http://tinyurl.com/oufu3x8 Branch …

1 UNITEU nite the Union128 Theobalds RoadHolbornLondonWC1X EqualityOfficers Guide2015 - 2018(JN6970) HB09111516 Regional Women s & Equalities OrganisersNorth WestSharon Hutchinson0161 848 0909 North East Yorkshire & Humberside Sue Pollard0113 236 4830 West MidlandsNatalia Stepnowska0121 553 6051 East MidlandsMaureen Scott-Douglas01332 548400 London & Eastern Carolyn Simpson George Dodo-Williams0208 800 4281 South EastSharon Wentworth02392 824 514 South WestKaren Cole0117 923 0555 ScotlandElaine Dougall0141 404 5424 IrelandTaryn TrainorBelfast028 90 232 381 Dublin01873 4577 WalesMel Whitter02920 394521 NationalDiana Holland, Assistant General Secretary - Equalities Harish Patel, National officer for EqualitiesSiobhan Endean, National officer for 7611 2639 Unite the Union, 128 Theobald s Road, Holborn,London WC1X 8 TNContactsmaking a differenceUnite Branch equality Officers andWorkplace equality Reps should havea Unite equality Reps contact your Regional more information on equality at workand in the community refer to Unite EqualityReps Handbook equality Officers guide - ContentsUnite stands for unity all workers stronger says in Unite Rules that: Each Branch shall have forits management.

2 An equality and BranchEquality Officers are elected every 3 equality Officers are very important to building astrong campaigning union for all. And we continue to callfor statutory rights for all union equality reps which can include Branch EqualityOfficers who make a real difference in the workplace, in the wider communityand in the you for your McCluskeyGeneral SecretaryCongratulationson being elected a Branch EqualityOfficer in Unite. The Union is built on the activities ofits lay reps, and Branch equality Officers, together withother Branch Officers, Union equality Reps and otherreps at the workplace, have an extremely important roleto play in ensuring fair practices at work for all Unite sbranch members, as well as encouraging all members toget involved, promoting equality for all, and organisingmore members. You are essential to the Union s organisation and I hope thisguide will help you to carry out your duties and responsibilities more is a step by step guide and checklist to support Branch equality Officers.

3 It alsocontains a list of further publications that may be of help and interest to issues are more complicated than they at first appear. If in doubt,never try to deal with complex issues on your own - take advice from yourRegional officer and your Regional Women s & Equalities officer . And togetherwe can make a real and thank you,Diana Holland Assistant General SecretaryEqualities Transport Food & Agriculture32 The following 6 steps covered in this guide are vital to ensuring Branch EqualityOfficers play the positive role needed in our union:Step 1know your branchpage 4 Step 2know your memberspage 5 Step 3consider ways of extendingpage 5involvement in the unionStep 4work with otherspage 7 Step 5keep informed and further readingpage 8 Step 6checklist for Branch equality Officerspage 9 Forward on equality : Unite Branch equality Officers and Workplace equality Reps54 Step 1know your Branch When and where does your Branch meet?

4 Arethese times and places suitable for all members?Particularly consider the needs of women, black,Asian and ethnic minority members, those withcaring responsibilities and disability access. Who attends Branch Meetings? Do womenattend? Do black, Asian and ethnic minoritymembers attend? Do disabled members attend?Do young members attend? Do LGBT membersattend? Who is in the Branch ? Which women workersdoes it cover? Which black, Asian and ethnicminority workers does it cover? Are disabledworkers in the Branch ? Are there LGBT workersin the Branch ? Are members of all ages active inthe Branch ? What about young members? Arethere migrant workers? Agency workers?Part-time workers? Zero hours contract workers? What kinds of issues does the Branch discuss?Is equality on the agenda? Has the branchdiscussed any issues particularly affectingwomen, black, Asian and ethnic minorityworkers, young workers, disabled workers, orlesbian, gay, bisexual and trans workers?

5 Consider conducting a survey on members viewsof the time and place of Branch meetings, howmeetings are publicised and the issues that areon the agenda. Check the views of allmembersare included, and that you identify any issuesraised particularly by women, by BAEM, disabled,LGBT or young members, or any under-repre-sented : Arrange discussion of the results of the surveyat the next Branch meeting. Consider producing agendas and minutes inappropriate alternative languages or formats. Ensure discriminatory comments are challengedif ever they occur at meetings and ensuremembers are aware of equal opportunitiesclauses in the standing orders. Try to get your Branch to allocate resourcesfor equality issues to be pursued 2know your members Find out where women, black, Asian and ethnicminority workers, young workers, disabledworkers and LGBT workers are in the workplaceand the jobs that they do.

6 Talk to these members about issues that areimportant to them both in the local communityand at work. Find out what views they have of the Union andits activities in the workplace. Find out if there are any particular problemsthey are facing in the 3consider ways of extendinginvolvement in the union Are there women, black, Asian and ethnicminority workers, young workers, disabledworkers or LGBT workers who are not membersof the Union? Talk to them about what wouldencourage them to : Consider conducting a survey of women, black,Asian and ethnic minority workers, youngworkers, disabled workers or LGBT workers ontheir views and experiences of issues such aschildcare, health and welfare (cancer screening,menopause, Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia, ), harassment, discrimination, bullying,training, hours of work and access to buildings. Consider arranging a speaker or film/video at thebranch on a subject you know potential orexisting members would be interested in.

7 Find out if women, black, Asian and ethnicminority, young members, disabled members orLGBT members have friends in unorganisedworkplaces. If so ask them to invite those friendsto get involved. Enourage women, black, Asian and ethnic minor-ity, young members disabled members and LGBT members to take up Union benefits and services,such as education courses, free legal advice andaffiliated services arrange a speaker. If existing members have gained something fromtheir Union membership ask them to let othersknow and encourage them to join. Encourage active women, black, Asian andethnic minority, young members, disabledmembers and LGBT members to run for electionto Branch and workplace positions. Use the Checklists in the equality Reps Toolkiton Involvement of Women, Black, Asian & EthnicMinorities, Young Members, Disabled Members,Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans :Step 4 work with others - know yourcommunity Get to know the other officers in your branchparticularly your local shop stewards, workplacerepresentatives, safety representatives, unionlearning reps, convenor, Branch secretary, branchchair and committee members.

8 Get to know your Regional officer andRegional Women s & Equalities Make sure you have the contact details for yourRegional Education officer who can be goodsources of help and advice. Make sure you know who the elected reps are todifferent Regional Equalities Committees. Findout about equality campaigns and activities foreg International Women s Day, Black HistoryMonth, International Day of Disabled People,LGBT History Month and Pride events, Youngmembers activities Find out about local, regional, national orinternational campaigns on equality in whichthe Branch could participate, raising its profilein the community. Link up with Unite CommunityBranches RetiredMembers Branches, as well as industrial campaigns Where you can, work with your negotiatingcommittee to develop negotiating aims that willimprove the workplace for women, black, Asianand ethnic minorities, young, disabled and :76 Step 5 keep informed Go on Unite education courses to help youextend your knowledge, confidence and skills.

9 Keep up-to-date with Union Publications on theUnite webpages , suchas Unite Works and Together Magazine. Seebelow for suggested further reading Union equality Reps Handbook and Shop Stewards Handbook Safety Representatives Handbook Unite guide to Dealing with Harassment,Discrimination and Bullying Unite guide to Family Rights at Work Unite Pay Up guide Unite Women s Health & Safety guide Unite Race equality Negotiators guide andRace Forward Campaign Unite Disability equality at WorkNegotiators guide Unite Pride - LGBT equality Unite Trans equality GuideNOTES:Step 6 checklist for Branch equalityofficersPlease complete the missing details for yourBranch/WorkplaceNOTES:98 BranchBranch equality OfficeName:Address:Tel:Fax:Email:Involve ment in Unite equality /other courses? Branch Membership Total in BranchBy gender : MenWomenBy ethnic Origin WhiteBAEMY oungLGBTR etired MembersDisabled membersNumberNOTES:NOTES: Branch Membership for the workplace(or workplaces as appropriate)Total in Workplace: Members:Non-MembersBy gender Men MembersNon-MembersWomen MembersNon-MembersBy ethnic origin :White membersNon-membersBAEM membersNon-membersBy age:Young membersNon-membersRetired members Disabled members:Non-membersLGBT members:Non-membersShop Stewards/Workplace reps at the workplaceTotal shop stewards/reps:Members:Women:%White:BAEM: %Young shop stewards/reps:Disabled shop stewards/reps:LGBT shop stewrads/reps:Involvement in Unite equality coursesand other Unite education courses?

10 Involvement in Unite equality courses and otherUnite education courses?Unite Workplace Union equality RepsName:Address: TelFaxEmailAddress: TelFaxEmailInvolvement in Unite equality courses and otherUnite education courses?Workplace Equal Opportunities Committee orDiversity Committee is there one?If no what about identifying steps to getting one set up?If yes What does it do? How often does it meet?Is it effective? What would improve it?Has Unite Membership Department been notified of thiselection?Has a Unite equality Representatives Credential been issued?Details of Unite members of the CommitteeNameUnite position held111013 NOTES:KNOW THE WORKPLACE (or workplaces)IN YOUR BRANCHW orkplace equality Audits Find out if any have been carried out, and whatissues have been highlighted. If not, encourage anequality audit to support building a stronger unionand strengthening representation of all equality Reps next?