GMB Southern’s Regional Equality Forum Receives President’s Leadership Awards at GMB Congress in Brighton
Many of the members of the forum work incredibly hard, often in their own time to promote equality and diversity in the union and in workplaces across the region, says GMB Southern
GMB Southern’s Regional Equality Forum has received a President's Leadership Awards for Equality today (Monday 4 June) at the GMB Congress in Brighton.
The role of the Regional Equality Forum is to promote equality and diversity across the GMB Southern region. The forum has been very active over the last year in developing training and resources for GMB activists to be able to support their diverse membership.
The equality forum has been running a campaign to put pressure on the government to end the blood donation ban on gay men, they promoted that campaign at pride events across the region and we are hopeful that the government has listened and will be changing the legislation.
They are currently developing on a project on how the menopause impacts on people in the workplace. We have held our 3rd annual women’s conference engaging over 80 GMB women who want to get more involved in their union.
They have organised a one-day training course for workplace representatives on how to support LGBTI+ members in the workplace, with specialist training on how to support trans members. They have also actioned improvements in the way disabled members can engage in the union by improving disability access. They have recently formed a race network for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) members to talk about the issues facing them.
The 101st GMB Congress, comprises of 500 elected lay members and 300 visitors and guests. GMB Congress delegates were elected from the GMB membership to represent over 640,000 members from every part of the UK and Ireland and every sector of the economy. Congress is the supreme policy making body in GMB
Michelle Gordon GMB Regional Equality Officer said:
“It is great that the national union has recognised the outstanding work of the regional equality forum. Many of the members of the forum work incredibly hard, often in their own time to promote equality and diversity in the union and in workplaces across the region.
“It is because of these inspirational activists that GMB members are given such a high standard of support on issues such as discrimination.
“I wish to send my congratulations to all those who have been involved in the equality forum over the last 12 months, the award is well deserved."
ENDS
Contact: Michelle Gordon 07866 369 259 or GMB Southern Press Office 07970 114 762
