Equality and fairness at risk
– have your say
Equality is at the heart of UNISON. We recognise that all people have an
equal right to be treated with dignity and respect. It does not mean
treating everyone the same: it means understanding and celebrating
difference. We want to eliminate discrimination and make sure that
people’s needs are met, in the workplace and in public services.
There is evidence of inequality all around us. Since 2010 the
government’s austerity measures have been turning back the clock. But
we have a vision of a better and fairer society which is why UNISON
members and others in our communities are asking politicians to look at
the facts and act.
What’s happened since 2010
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The pay gap between women and men - that was slowly narrowing - is growing
again. Job segregation is as persistent as ever.
Maternity rights are under attack and pregnancy discrimination is rife.
Half of young Black men are unemployed.
Disabled people are being pushed out of jobs at the same time as benefits are
slashed.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are increasingly marginalised and
isolated, fearing to raise discrimination issues when their jobs are at risk.
Calls to support services are at an all-time high while services are being cut to the
bone.
Young people face uncertain futures and older people fear ending their lives in
poverty.
Inequality is growing. Increasing numbers earn less than a living wage while city
bonuses rise and rise.
Those who need the safety net of welfare are called scroungers and skivers, even
though many who rely on benefits are in work – just on poverty wages.
Right wing politicians spread myths and lies about migrant workers. Their scare
stories try to turn people’s attention from the truth about failing austerity policies.
Hate crime blights too many lives but there are successive cuts to policing and other
services to tackle and prevent hate crime.
Equality is increasingly seen as a luxury – a ‘nice thing to do’ in the good times.
The coalition government has weakened the 2010 Equality Act, attacking our hard
won equality protections as ‘bureaucratic red tape’ and a burden on business.
They have starved the Equality and Human Rights Commission of resources.
They have reduced access to justice, cutting legal aid and introducing fees for
employment tribunals. This has resulted in a dramatic fall in the number of cases:
down by 79% in the first six months since the government imposed fees on workers
bringing a claim.
UNISON fighting for a fairer future
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Equality and fairness at risk – have your say
What needs to happen
We need a fair and just society, with decent work and public services that meet
the needs of all – an affordable aim.
For UNISON this means continuing to:
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Call for investment in public services and specialist staff to meet the needs of
minority and disadvantaged groups, as well as the majority.
Negotiate for equality at work, with workplace equality policies that are living
documents which are regularly reviewed and are subject to effective monitoring of
their implementation. Equality principles must apply from recruitment right through
to retirement, with training as an essential element because discrimination will not
end through tick-box exercises.
Use the public sector equality duty – which we saved from Tory attack – demanding
that employers and service providers give tangible evidence of how they are
meeting the duty.
Raise awareness of human rights principles and how they apply at work and in
public services.
Challenge hysteria on immigration with information and facts.
Demand that the next government repair the damage to equality laws and access to
justice wreaked by the Tory-led coalition.
What you can do
Please talk to you friends and family about the issues raised in this fact sheet.
It is now less than a year to the general election. Many politicians will be
knocking on your door or ringing you up to ask for your support. Use these
opportunities to ask them where they stand on coalition government attacks on
equalities - and tell them what you think.
Make sure you are registered to vote.
Join our black, disabled, LGBT or women’s self organised group, as applies to
you unison.org.uk/equality.
Talk to colleagues in your branch or self organised group about how you can get
involved in or start local community campaigns on these issues in the period
between now and the next general election.
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UNISON fighting for a fairer future
unison.org.uk/million