Equality Representatives

Conference acknowledges the work of the Trade Unions, the TUC and Government in recognising, developing and supporting the work of representatives in the workplace with a specific role of progressing equalities issues. Many unions have specific Equalities representatives, in the FBU these roles are often covered by the Equality Sections representatives, including officials of the National Gay and Lesbian Committee. One barrier these representatives constantly have to overcome is the lack of facility time provided by our employers. Disappointingly proposals in the Single Equality Bill fail to provide equality representatives with legislative provision of time off to conduct their duties, similar to that of Health and Safety and Union Learning representatives. Conference calls on the Executive Council to work with the TUC and affiliates in developing a campaign to bring about change by the Government to implement the required change to legislation that facilitates paid time off to carry out their duties, a report on progress to be provided back to Conference 2010.