Trades Union Congress - Equality Issues

With disabled people's jobs and living standards under serious attack from Government attacks on public services, the TUC has published up to date advice and guidance for trade unions on the law on disability discrimination, along with good practice in dealing with day to day issues in the workplace. The latest edition of Disability and Work can be downloaded free of charge or ordered from TUC publications.

Mental health at work

The TUC has linked up with MIND to work together to promote mental health in the workplace and to challenge the discrimination and prejudice that prevents millions of people with mental health issues from getting or keeping jobs. For free workplace and campaigners' guides, wellbeing tips and other resources visit www.mind.org.uk/work

The TUC and many unions publish advice for union officers and reps in dealing with the increasing problems of mental ill-health at work and the prejudice and discrimination that people with mental health problems continue to face. In addition to the booklet Representing and Supporting members with mental health problems at work (see box below), the TUC has published (October 2012) an updated guide to the wide range of advice now available. Trade Unions and Mental Health: a resource list, can be downloaded free here.

Disability Guides

Representing and Supporting members with mental health problems at work [PDF] - also available in print from the TUC publications shop (free to unions, £5 otherwise).
Promoting Disability Equality [PDF] - also available to read online
Sickness Absence and Disability Discrimination [PDF].

TUC Disabled Workers' Conference

The 2013 TUC Disabled Workers' Conference takes place on 22-23 May. A preliminary agenda, containing motions submitted for debate, is available to download here.

In this issue: * From the Regional Secretary * Women hit hardest * Around the Equalities Forums * Disabled Members Forum * Women's Committee * And don't forget the Blog...... * Contact the Midlands TUC:

The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) plays a vital role in underpinning union work to tackle discrimination and harassment at work as evidenced by the TUC's response to a government review of the duty.

The TUC's Disabled Workers' Committee has decided not to accept an invitation from the government to join its new Disability Action Alliance (DAA).

Guidance for unions on how to deal with discrimination against disabled workers losing their jobs through failure to count disability-related absence separately from sickness absence, with advice on negotiating a disability leave policy.

In this issue: * World Mental Health Day report * World Aids Day events * Dates for your diary * And don't forget the Blog...... * Contact the Midlands TUC

Responding to the announcement today (Thursday) by the Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey MP, that nearly 900 employees face compulsory redundancy as a result of further closures to Remploy factories around the UK, TUC General Secretary Brenda...

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