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Date: 8 September 2005

Embargo: 00:01am 9 September 2005

Attention: Newsdesks, business and social affairs correspondents

Wales TUC undertake groundbreaking survey at Cardiff Wales Mardi Gras 2005

The Wales TUC is carrying out a groundbreaking survey of people attending the Cardiff Wales Mardi Gras (tomorrow) Saturday September 10^th 2005.

The aims of the survey are to find out more about the experiences of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people at work, their attitudes and experience of trade unions.

The Wales TUC will use that information to assess how trade unions can better represent and meet the needs of LGBT people in Wales.

Members of Wales TUC's LGBT Committee will be attending Mardi Gras along with individual trade unions including Amicus, Unison, GMB, TGWU, PCS, USDAW, CWU, NUJ and the NUT.

Mike Smith , Chair of the Wales TUC LGBT Committee, and NUJ member, said

'Trade unions have a great track record of representing the needs of their members, both inside and outside of work. However, we simply don't know how many LGBT people feel about trade unions and we want this to change.

The Wales TUC is keen to discover how LGBT people regard trade unions and whether they regard trade union membership positively. We want to know if they are actually a member of a trade union and if not, why.'

The survey also aims to assess how active LGBT people are within their trade union and people's awareness of what facilities their unions offer.

The findings will be used to help unions make their organisation, structures and processes more LGBT-friendly and accessible.

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Notes to Editors

• The Wales TUC will be hosting a union marquee at this year's marquee. The Wales TUC is also proud to be sponsoring this year's disabled viewing platform.

• Media Enquiries for this event: Darron Dupre 029 2034 7014 or ddupre@tuc.org.uk or Derek Walker on 0788 7797158.

Press release (400 words) issued 9 Sep 2005