TUC Equality Audit 2022
Winning equality is at the heart of our cause to change the world of work for good. That’s why the TUC’s annual equality audit matters. It helps us track our collective progress and spurs us on to do even better.
And the 2022 audit is published at a significant moment. The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the multiple inequalities that exist across our society – and exacerbated them. Covid-19 has exposed the inequality affecting BME and disabled workers, all too often with fatal consequences. LGBT+ workers’ mental health and wellbeing has suffered as they have been distanced from support networks. And women have been on the front line as key workers, they have taken on the brunt of caring responsibilities, and have faced the extortionate cost of childcare.
Workers are also experiencing a cost-of-living emergency as soaring inflation drives up the price of our food, energy and housing. Because of existing structural inequalities, groups with protected characteristics are likely to be hit hardest. Women, disabled workers, LGBT+ workers and BME workers all face a pay gap, meaning they have less money to cover rising costs.
We need a government that will stand up for working people, but instead we have seen chaos. Rather than addressing the crisis facing the country, the government is spoiling for a fight with workers who take action to defend their living standards. As City bonuses and top pay once again spiral out of control, ministers have failed to deliver on their promises to raise wages. This winter, millions will face the unpalatable choice between heating and eating.
Over the past four years, we have witnessed a global conversation on sexual harassment in the wake of the MeToo movement. And since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, we’ve seen the emergence of a global struggle for racial justice. But trade unions must be honest: we have to fight on two fronts. Racism and sexism are not confined to the bosses. If we are to change society, we must also overcome discrimination within our own ranks.
That’s why I’m proud we’ve launched our Anti-Racism Taskforce, which will help our movement to practice what we preach on race equality. I’m proud too of our work on sexual harassment, supporting the TUC and unions to become genuinely safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for women members, activists and leaders.
This audit provides inspiring examples of what we’re doing to put equality at the heart of our agenda. It highlights union action to combat all forms of harassment, discrimination and prejudice. It underlines what we’re doing as employers and within our own democratic structures. But the audit also highlights where we need to raise our game.
This is my last equality audit before I retire, and I hope it inspires affiliates to organise, bargain and campaign for change. Over the past 10 years, I’ve been enormously proud of the work we’ve showcased in our equality audits – and everything we’ve done as a movement to build a fairer, more equal, more just world. From the equal pay strikes to our response to the pandemic, we’ve made a genuine difference to marginalised groups of workers. Let’s use this audit as a springboard to win equality for all our members – because now, more than ever, we demand better.
Frances O’Grady TUC General Secretary
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