UNISON's membership is made up of individuals from all walks of life and all parts of the world. Every one of them is entitled to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Challenging discrimination and winning equality is at the heart of UNISON's policies. Because we recognise that equality is an inseparable part of all trade union issues, we actively campaign for equality in the workplace and in the wider world.
As the UK's major public sector trade union, UNISON also recognises its responsibility to harness the skills and knowledge of its membership. This is achieved by giving voice to public service workers on how public services are best provided and promoting equality in their delivery.
UNISON is proud of its record in winning equality, but we are not complacent. We will continue to promote equality and campaign to eliminate discrimination wherever we encounter it.
Latest equality updates
(9/10/08)
The “Framework for a Fairer Future” setting out the Government’s proposals for the Equality Bill was introduced to Parliament on 26 June 2008. UNISON has published it's response to the Government's Equality Bill.
(26/07/08) UNISON has welcomed the long-awaited announcement on the Government’s Equality Bill. The Bill will be introduced in the next Parliamentary session. Key proposals include extending the duty on public bodies to promote equality, banning of age discrimination in goods and services, greater transparency in gender pay, new rights to take positive action and wider powers for tribunals. These measures meet some of UNISON’s demands for the new legislation. We will continue to lobby on other key issues.
(5/06/08) UNISON has organised a special seminar titled 'Public Services: Delivering on equality and equal pay?' at the Compass conference taking place in London on 14 June.
(23/04/08) MEP Liz Lynne has launched a petition to ensure that discrimination is banned on all grounds across the European Union.
(29/02/08) Government proposals to change anti-discrimination legislation will not help close the pay gap between men and women, warns UNISON
(10/12/07) UNISON president Norma Stephenson is pledging her support to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign. Whether you support football or not, you and your branch have a chance to help support the campaign and fight racism.