Unison Self Organised Groups
in the South East Region

Challenging discrimination is at the core of all UNISON strategies. Self organisation is key to tackling discrimination and helping the Union to develop policies that will challenge discrimination, wherever it is found.

In the South East Region, there are 4 self organised groups (SOGs):

Women

Black Members

Disabled Members

LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisecual and Transgender) Members

We also have a young members group who challenge the real discrimination faced by younger people in the workforce.

Members of these groups share a common experience of discrimination, albeit in many different forms, including harassment, victimisation and poorer terms and conditions.

Self organisation exists because of discrimination. But, what can SOGs do for you?

Make sure that YOU have a voice in the Union, including those traditionally under represented.

Give you the knowledge and tools to tackle discrimination against yourself and colleagues.

Confront difficult and sensitive issues on your behalf.

Influence UNISON policy makers at all levels.

Use our shared experiences to develop policies that tackle discrimination and promote the equality agenda.

Campaign for anti-discrimination, civil rights legislation and other issues important to our members.

But, why does UNISON focus on these groups and why should you consider self organisation?

Women

UNISON now has one million members - more than 70% of our union. Too many women still earn less than men. We face a retirement in poverty due to staggering inequalities in our pensions systems. We face sex discrimination, bullying and harassment at work. The Womens SOG takes a lead role on negotiating and campaigning to improve the working lives of our women members.

Black Members

The Black Members SOG campaigns for equality and aims to challenge racism wherever its found. We discuss and promote the needs of Black UNISON members, encourage their active involvement in the union and work to ensure their aspirations are addressed. The SOG provides an inclusive forum to empower Black members inside and outside the workplace.

Disabled Members

Society creates barries to inclusion by the way it organises, preventing disabled people from taking an equal part in life. The SOG challenges discriminatory actions and campaigns for a fair deal for disabled members on issues such as inaccessable workplaces and negative attitudes and predudices from employers.

LGBT

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are still denied equality in the workplace. The SOG gives you a real voice in UNISON, which is commited to working for LGBT rights. We organise locally and nationally to support each other, to identify and challenge discrimination, to increase awareness of LGBT rights and to campaign for change.

Young Members

UNISON boasts 75,000 young members, aged 26 years or under. We aim to make sure that young people as part of the workforce get a better deal, including imporoved pay and career opportunities, and are less at risk from exploitation, accidents and injury. Thats why our priority is to recruit and support more young members.

South East Regional SOG Contacts

Switchboard Direct Line

870 770 1112

Fiona Roberts - Womens Members Officer:

f.roberts@unison.co.uk

Becky Hess - Black Members Officer:

b.hess@unison.co.uk

Anna Berry - Disabled Members Officer:

a.berry@unison.co.uk

Teresa Donegan - LGBT Members Officer:

t.donegan@unison.co.uk

Sarah Hayes - Young Members Officer:

s.hayes@unison.co.uk

Please note: Sussex Mad is only helping promote this service, not actually involved with it, so please send questions to the UNISON not Sussex Mad! If you have any more information on this service and think it would be useful, please send it to me and I will add it.