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Chapter 4 - Equal Rights

Issue date

chapter 4

equal rights

4.1 Introduction

Equal rights issues have continued to feature prominently in all the General Council's work. During the year there has been a conscious attempt to mainstream equality across the TUC, with attention to the equality dimension of priority projects. At the same time, the three specialist Committees (Women's, Race Relations and Lesbian and Gay) have pursued ambitious programmes of work designed to drive the equal rights agenda forward. Alongside the formal Committees, the Disability Forums have gone from strength to strength. In addition, there has continued to be extensive contact between the TUC and union equality officers, including through meetings and the monthly TUC Equality Officers' Newsletter.

The 1998/99 equality programme included a range of seminars and conferences on particular issues, new publications and briefings, and campaigning and lobbying on equal rights matters.

4.2 TUC equality conferences

The three TUC motions-based equality conferences in 1999 were, as ever, lively and constructive. They covered the range of current issues in their respective fields and helped identify priorities for the TUC in the year ahead.

All three conferences - Women's, Black Workers' and Lesbian and Gay - shared a concern to see equality issues being given a high profile in TUC affairs. They particularly wanted to see equal rights being given more attention at Congress -particularly through motions on the Congress agenda. While the conferences recognised that an equality perspective was sometimes present in motions on other subjects, delegates were unhappy about the low number of motions specifically on equal rights issues. All three conferences asked, effectively, for resolutions of those conferences to go forward on to the Congress agenda - a mechanism not permitted under current TUC rules.

The Women's Conference was held in Scarborough in March and was chaired by Gloria Mills. Two hundred and seventy delegates attended, together with 19 representatives from regional councils and trades union councils and over 90 visitors and exhibitors. Speakers included TUC President Hector MacKenzie, the EOC Chair Julie Mellor and the Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo.

In an innovatory spirit, an informal debate on sexual harassment and bullying was inspired by a presentation from a theatre group. The presentation showed the complexity of situations that can arise in the workplace and which need to be dealt with by union officers. It provoked lively debate, with union representatives giving examples of both problems and solutions. Linked to the session was a TUC report on harassment and bullying, drawing on a survey which delegates had been asked to conduct before the conference. The survey showed that sexual harassment and bullying were widespread, and that for women the two were often interlinked.

In the formal sessions 25 resolutions were carried, which included nine composites and one emergency resolution. The resolutions reflected a range of concerns, for example the need for better equality legislation and more action on equal pay; the further work needed on work and parenting and positive flexible working; childcare issues; stress and violence at work; public services and international issues.

In April the Black Workers' Conference met in Blackpool, with Roland Biosah in the Chair. Two hundred and twenty one delegates were joined by 11 representatives of trades union councils and regional councils and 111 visitors and exhibitors. A line-up of distinguished speakers included the Jamaica High Commissioner Derrick Heaven, George Johannes from the South Africa High Commission, and the Chair of the Black Police Association Paul Wilson. Conference also warmly welcomed Neville Lawrence back to the Conference. Inevitably the Conference agenda focussed sharply on the Lawrence report and its aftermath. There were important debates on the report and on institutional racism, which will inform the TUC's work in the year ahead. Debates also covered wider race discrimination matters, including monitoring; black member participation in trade unions; racism in education and the criminal justice system; stress, harassment and violence; international issues, immigration and the black press.

The second motions-based Lesbian and Gay Conference, heldin Julyin Congress House, attracted more unions and more delegates than last year. This was a hopeful signal of the increasing importance unions are attaching to issues that concern their lesbian and gay members. The conference sessions were chaired in rotation by four members of the Lesbian and Gay Committee: Chris Lines, Rita Nicholson, Kursad Kharamanoglu and Maria Exall.

This year there were delegates from 33 unions, who were welcomed by the Deputy General Secretary Brendan Barber. They heard speeches from the Lesbian and Gay Committee Chair Ed Sweeney and the Home Office Minister George Howarth. Other speakers over the two days included representatives from Rank Outsiders and the International Lesbian and Gay Association (Europe).

One session of the conference was largely devoted to an informal debate that explored the common ground between groups in society that experience discrimination. The session looked at current race equality issues, the links between racism and homophobia and immigration issues for lesbians and gay men. The session was facilitated by Linda Kelly, Director of the TUC National Education Centre, and debates were led by expert speakers.

Formal debates resulted in resolutions on legal issues, including anti-discrimination legislation and Section 28; rights in and beyond the workplace; immigration and asylum rights; attendance at conference; and action by unions and the TUC on behalf of lesbian and gay members. At the end of the conference delegates and members of the Lesbian and Gay Committee represented the TUC at the re-opening of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, which had been closed since the mail bomb attack in June (see also 4.5 Race equality).

4.3 Discrimination law

A resolution of the 1998 Congress called for a number of changes to equality legislation and equalisation of the age of consent. All the issues in the resolution have featured in the TUC's work during the year (see paragraphs below on specific lesbian and gay rights issues and age discrimination). TUC representatives have written to and met Ministers on the EOC and CRE recommendations on reforming the sex and race discrimination legislation. Following the Women's Committee's detailed work on the EOC's recommendations, the Race Relations Committee commented on the CRE recommendations, urging the Government to take early action to improve existing legislation. The TUC has expressed disappointment that the Government has not acted on these recommendations. Government proposals are expected in the autumn.

The TUC gave evidence to the review of anti-discrimination legislation being conducted in early 1999 by the Government's Better Regulation Task Force. The Task Force made a series of positive recommendations in May, but disappointingly did not propose early action on amending the legislation.

In December the annual TUC Discrimination Law Conference was held, once again attracting around 400 participants from unions, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, law centres and voluntary organisations. They heard leading lawyers give up-to-the-minute information on developments in equality legislation - Lord Lester QC, Robin Allen QC, Mary Stacey of Thompsons solicitors, Tess Gill, Michael Rubenstein of Equal Opportunities Review and Professor Brian Doyle.

The TUC is assisting an independent review of the enforcement of UK anti-discrimination legislation which is being carried out at the University of Cambridge under the guidance of leading discrimination law experts, including Professor Bob Hepple and Lord Lester.

4.4 Women's equality

The interests of women workers have continued to feature across the General Council's work and through the Women's Committee's work programme.

Childcare

A remitted motion of the 1998 Congress welcomed government initiatives on childcare but pointed out the problems still remaining. The motion referred to the role TUC affiliates collectively could play in expanding childcare provision for members and asked the General Council "to investigate the options for the TUC's involvement in establishing a nationwide network of childcare facilities" for the children of trade union members. The General Council considered that it would be impractical for unions to become childcare providers, but undertook to consult unions on the content of the motion.

A well attended meeting of union officers and childcare organisations in November agreed that unions could not directly provide childcare. The conclusion was that unions should continue to negotiate childcare support with employers and that unions should be represented on the local partnerships that were being established to audit early years services and plan future provision. The TUC had been lobbyingsince 1997 for unions to be included. This matter was raised again in correspondence and meetings with Ministers, and the Minister responsible, Margaret Hodge, eventually agreed to revise the guidance to partnerships to include union involvement. The TUC rushed out a briefing to unions in December advising them on ways to get involved with the partnerships.

Childcare issues remain a high priority for the Women's Committee. Future plans include work on childcare for shift workers and a joint conference with the Daycare Trust on 6 October in Congress House.

'Family Friendly' employment

During the year the Women's Committee welcomed the attention being given to family friendly employment by different government departments. Reflecting points made in resolutions of the 1998 Congress, TUC representatives have taken part in numerous consultative meetings and conferences on initiatives proposed by the Home Office, Department for Education and Employment and Department of Trade and Industry. Congress policy on these matters also underpinned the TUC response to the Government's consultative paper on Supporting Families in February and informed the TUC's work on welfare reform, as reported in chapter eight. Throughout, the TUC has argued for the broadest possible definition of 'the family' - with particular attention drawn to the parental rights of same sex partners.

The main focus of the TUC's work on these issues has been the Employment Relations Bill and the regulations that will transpose the EU directives on part time workers(see below) and parental and dependants leave into UK law. In a series of meetings with Ministers and officials the TUC has argued for regulations on these issues that would make clear employees' and employers' rights and responsibilities. In particular, on parental leave the TUC has pressed for a flexible scheme that will enable the maximum number of parents to take up their new rights according to their individual circumstances. Consultations are continuing.

The Bill also improves maternity rights. The TUC welcomed this and has also been involved in the revisions of the EU Pregnant Workers' Directive and the ILO Convention on Maternity Rights.

New rights to parental leave do not include right to payment. The TUC has advised unions to continue to negotiate paid schemes with employers. At the same time the TUC has played a prominent role in the campaign for paid parental leave, including intensive lobbying activities. In March the TUC published a report arguing for a system of state payment, pointing to the results of a TUC-commissioned opinion poll that showed that most parents would not make use of unpaid leave. The TUC's views on this issue were set out at length in a detailed memorandum sent to the House of Commons Social Security Select Committee, who carried out an enquiry into paid parental leave in June. The TUC also gave oral evidence.

In February the TUC published Great Expectations - A Guide to Maternity Rights and Benefits, covering issues of concern to new and potential parents of both sexes, including reproductive health and safety, parental leave and leave for fertility treatment. The guide also includes a section for negotiators based on a TUC survey of workplaces. The guide will be updated at the end of 1999 in the light of theregulations following the Employment Relations Bill.

A major TUC conference in July looked at how trade unions and employers can achieve family friendly and flexible working through partnership. The keynote speech was given by Margaret Hodge , DfEE Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State, and the themes were explored by leading experts, including through joint employer-union case studies of successful partnership initiatives. The conference also highlighted the need to provide 'non-standard' workers, eg homeworkers and the self-employed, with access to family friendly working arrangements, rights and benefits.

TUC work on the Employment Relations Bill is fully reported in chapter two. Equal rights issues have featured in publications and briefings on the Bill. In addition, in March the TUC published a briefing on family friendly policies and black workers.

Establishing positive flexibility - The Time of Our Lives pilot project

A resolution of the 1998 Congress called for measures to encourage good practice in the flexible labour market and to secure the involvement of the union in establishing working arrangements which give equal value to the needs of the staff and the business. The TUC has continued to highlight the need for employees to have greater choice and control over their working hours whilst improving service delivery through The Time of Our Lives, an innovatory EU-funded project that seeks to establish models of positive flexibility.

A second stage of the project started in the summer of 1998. The TUC and the Employers' Organisation for Local Government are working with Bristol City Council to develop a model partnership approach to delivering flexible and responsive services, whilst enhancing the choice and control that employees have over their working time. Unions are closely involved. The project is intended to be a model for modernising work organisation in a way that promotes equal opportunities.

The pilot project with local unions and management in Bristol set-up a steering group which has overseen surveys and focus groups on working hours and service delivery needs. The TUC Education Service developed joint management-union training to assist staff identify opportunities to maximise choice over working patterns and time through changes to work organisation such as self-managed shifts. A series of lunch-time seminars for staff and managers included speakers from the German OTV public sector union and the European Public Services Union, as well as the ILO expert on home-based working.

The project included a national conference held in June in Bristol. Speakers included DTI Minister, Ian McCartney; the Chief Executive of Bristol City Council, trade union representatives and managers, the Director of the Low Pay Unit and the Director of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. Three joint TUC/Employers' Organisation publications have been produced during the year -Working time in Europe: a public services perspective; Time of Our Lives: key findings; The Time of Our Lives in Bristol: an assessment of the pilot project. The project is being evaluated by Bath University and an evaluation report, which will be published in the autumn, will identify transferable good practice.

As part of the project there were joint union-management exchange visits to the Netherlands and to Modena in Italy, where a 'city-time' project has resulted in services, particularly child and elder-care, being delivered in a flexible way to meet the needs of employees and enterprises.

Part-time workers

As reported last year, the EU social partners' Agreement on Part-time Work became a European Directive in December 1997. The UK has until April 2000 to enact its provisions in domestic legislation. During the year the TUC has discussed with DTI officials the provisions of the UK legislation and has worked closely with lawyers working for trade unions to identify potential difficulties in the transposition. A questionnaire to unions identified the aspects of the Directive which were likely to give rise to problems in particular sectors and sought the views of unions on the approach the TUC should take to the new legislation. A consultation paper from the DTI is awaited.

Public bodies

The Women's National Commission, a national publicly- funded umbrella body which communicates the informed views of women to the Government, has undergone major constitutional change during the year. The constitutional membership structure of the WNC has been abolished and is to be replaced by a system of `membership contracts' open to all women's organisations and individuals with an interest in women's issues. The elected positions of WNC Co-chair and Executive Committee member are now to be dealt with under public appointments procedures.

Previously, the TUC was strongly represented on the WNC, having six representatives nominated by the Women's Committee, including one STUC nominee. In addition, TUC representatives had been elected by the WNC membership to the position of WNC Co-chair on four occasions since the establishment of the WNC in 1969.

In February, the TUC representatives on the WNC Executive, along with past WNC Co-Chairs and other current WNC Executive members, wrote to Baroness Jay, the Minister for Women, to express concern about the WNC changes. These concerns centred around the need to retain the WNC as a democratic, independent and representative organisation, in order to ensure effective participation, credibility, and accountability as a voice for women's interests.

The Minister acknowledged the concerns raised but emphasised her wish to move forward together with plans for the new WNC, including appointments for a Steering Group and a part-time paid Chair.

As this report went to press, the appointment procedure for the Chair was underway. The Women's Committee will be looking at the best way for the TUC to continue its links with the WNC in the light of the new arrangements.

The TUC has also maintained its close contacts with the Equal Opportunities Commission. Anne Gibson from the General Council continued to serve as a Commissioner until May 1998, to be replaced a year later by Kay Carberry from the office. A second General Council member, Peter Smith, also serves as an EOC Commissioner.

4.5 Race equality

The Race Relations Committee's programme of work during the year included events designed to help unions give a service to their black members. Three very successful national conferences looked at membership of Employment Tribunals, dealing with indirect discrimination and mainstreaming race equality.

The conference on indirect discrimination heard from leading experts, including Chris Boothman, CRE Legal Director, and briefed union officers on the principles of indirect discrimination and how to eliminate it.

Race Into The Mainstream was the title of a conference held in February the day after the publication of the Stephen Lawrence report. Speakers, including the General Secretary and the CRE Chair Sir Herman Ouseley, said that unions were not exempt from the charge of institutional racism and that they had a role in eradicating it from the workplace. The conference included joint management-union presentations showing good examples of partnership approaches to race mainstreaming in the public and private sectors.

Also in February, the conference on Employment Tribunals was designed to give trade union members practical information about tribunal membership, in readiness for the new method of appointment of panel members, as reported more fully in chapter two. The event was aimed specifically at women and black union members, in order to prepare them to apply for membership when the next round of appointments would be made later in the year. Speakers included leading solicitors and barristers (Mary Stacey, Jeremy McMullen and Ijeoma Omambala), the President of Employment Tribunals (Scotland) Doris Littlejohn, and the London South Regional Chair of Employment Tribunals, Gulam Meeran.

Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report

In June the Race Relations Committee discussed the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report, in particular its devastating criticism of the Metropolitan Police and its definition of institutional racism. They took the view that the report was a challenge to all organisations, including the trade unions. Bearing in mind resolutions of the Black Workers' Conference on the report and on mainstreaming race equality, the General Council decided in July to give a high priority to the TUC's response and to bring the response into the mainstream of the TUC's work. A Task Group is to be set up following Congress, involving members of the General Council and the Race Relations Committee. The Group will present a report to the 2000 Congress on the TUC's action plan in response to the challenges posed by the Lawrence report. The Task Group will be chaired by the General Secretary in order to demonstrate the high priority being given to this work.

The broad themes of the action plan will be Action through Partnership; Services to Unions; and internal TUC issues. Within these broad headings the Task Group will be developing a wide range of challenging activities.

Asylum and immigration

An emergency resolution of the 1998 Congress condemned several aspects of the Government's White Paper on immigration and asylum. The TUC used the resolution as the basis of a response to the White Paper. Among the White Paper's proposals was a suggestion that the Government intended to leave in place Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, which requires employer checks on the immigration status of new employee as a defence against prosecution. The TUC had campaigned against this during the passage of the Conservative Government's legislation, with Opposition support, and Labour had indicated that it would not enforce Section 8.

The TUC repeated arguments for this measure to be repealed, in correspondence and meetings with Ministers. The TUC also made a submission to the Special Standing Committee on the Immigration and Asylum Bill. In the new legislation on immigration and asylum 'Section 8' remains intact, with the promise of a new statutory code of practice setting out what the employer must do to avoid unlawful discrimination. The TUC expects to be consulted on the code, while remaining sceptical about its likely effectiveness.

Survey of unions

During the year the Race Relations Committee continued to focus on improving services for and the involvement of black workers in their trade unions.

Following the 1998 Congress the Committee conducted a survey of union services for black members, union campaigns to recruit black workers and the representation of black full time officers. Thirty-two per cent (25 in total) of unions responded to the request for information. The survey showed that though unions usually stated that they were equal opportunity employers and advertised in the black press, the recruitment of full time officers was usually conducted from within a particular industry or a pool of activists. Union services aimed at black members ranged from the establishment of black and/or race relations advisory committee, translations of union literature, training courses for black members, annual black members' conferences or campaigns on race issues.

The Committee concluded that affiliates have made progress in involving black workers, with many unions now translating literature on campaigning, recruitment and union services. However, they considered that there was still a need for affiliates to make further progress on the employment of black full time officers.

Race equality and the EU The ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty marked progress in the TUC's long campaign to achieve EU legislation against race discrimination.

An ETUC conference, held in Shepperton, Middlesex, in May, discussed Article 13 of the Treaty, which gives the European Commission powers to bring forward initiatives to counter discrimination, including on racial grounds. The conference, originally proposed by the TUC, heard that the Commission was proposing a framework directive covering the range of discrimination mentioned in Article 13, and a separate directive dealing specifically with discrimination based on race or ethnic origin.

Several members of the Race Relations Committee represented the TUC at the conference, which included speeches from ETUC and European Commission officials, together with a CRE Commissioner and trade union representatives from other national centres.

This year also saw the establishment of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia in Vienna, Austria. The aim of the Centre is to identify trends in racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Europe, collate and disseminate information on good practice in challenging racism. One of the first tasks of the Centre was to establish, promote and facilitate round table meetings at the national level in each the European Member States. The first meeting to launch the Centre in Britain was held in October 1998 at Middlesex University, sponsored by North London TEC. The meeting was chaired by Bob Purkiss, the UK representative on the Management Board of the Centre, and the welcome address was given by Professor Michael Driscoll the Vice- Chancellor of Middlesex University. The meeting was addressed by PaulineGreen, Member of the European Parliament and leader of the European Socialist Group; Mike O'Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Home Office.

London nail bomb attacks

In May there were three nail bomb attacks in London over successive weekends each apparently aimed at particular communities. The first occurred in Brixton and the second in Brick Lane - both well known as racially mixed areas. The third occurred at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho, known as a meeting place for the gay community. The TUC expressed outrage at all three attacks and as reported above (par 4.2) the TUC was represented at the re-opening of the Admiral Duncan pub. A TUC delegation also visited the site of the nail bombings in Brixton and Brick Lane in order to express sympathy and solidarity with the local communities. The delegation included John Monks, Hector MacKenzie, Bill Morris, Rodney Bickerstaffe and members of the TUC and South East Regional TUC Race Relations Committees. At Brick Lane, the delegation were met by the Chair of the National Assembly Against Racism and the visit included meetings with local councillors, business people, community leaders and the local police based in Brick Lane. At Brixton, the delegation met with Heather Rabbatts, the Chief Executive of Lambeth, the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, members of the Lambeth Police Consultative Committee. The delegation signed the Lambeth Charter against Racism launched in the wake of the bombings.

4.6 Lesbian and Gay Rights

The new TUC Lesbian and Gay Committee, since its inaugural meeting in October has undertaken a large number of initiatives. These included overseeing the production of a new TUC booklet, Lesbian and Gay Rights at Work: A TUC Charter for Equality, published in June following wide consultation with unions. The Charter is a comprehensive guide for unions in tackling homophobia. It sets out the case for equal rights, the bargaining agenda, and advice on making unions responsive to their lesbian and gay members.

There was mixed progress during the year towards the achievement of legislative equality for lesbians and gay men. The TUC supported the reintroduction of the measure to equalise the gay male age of consent following the blocking of the previous measure by the House of Lords, and welcomed the statement that the Government would invoke the Parliament Act to push this measure through following its continued rejection by the Lords. However, concern was also expressed at the linking of the equalisation measure to the new "abuse of trust" proposal.

The TUC welcomed the Government's announcement of a review of sexual offences. In its submission to the review the TUC called for repeal of a range of discriminatory measures and for the principle of equality to underlie new laws.

In response to the Government's consultation paper Supporting Families the TUC pressed for an approach which recognised lesbian and gay relationships.

Pressure has been maintained on the Government to implement its pledge to repeal Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which prohibits local authorities from'promoting homosexuality' but is widely held to be responsible for the failure of schools and colleges to challenge homophobia.

Anti-Discrimination Law

In response to negative signals from the Government on the likelihood of there being new legislation to outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexuality, the TUC Lesbian and Gay Committee initiated a major campaign to explain the need for legislation and to win wide support for the demand. A conference to launch the campaign was organised jointly with Stonewall and the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights and held on 21 May 1999 at Congress House. Chaired by Ed Sweeney, speakers included Brendan Barber, Ann Keen MP, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Judy McKnight, Cheryl Carolus - the South African High Commissioner, Angela Mason of Stonewall, and representatives from Rank Outsiders.

The conference, which was supported by the National Union of Students, Liberty and Lesbian and Gay Employment Rights, attracted 155 delegates from unions and lesbian and gay community organisations, and the voluntary and legal sectors. A statement of principles to underlie new legislation was presented as a basis for common activity and a programme of action aimed at maintaining the pressure for legislation was considered.

Survey

The need for anti-discrimination law was highlighted by the findings of a survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual trade unionists carried out by the TUC Lesbian and Gay Committee. The survey demonstrated the continued widespread discrimination and harassment which continues in the workplace, and the importance of unions having structures to reach, and represent, their lesbian and gay members.

4.7 Disability

The TUC has continued to advise trade unionists serving on the Government's Disability Rights Task Force on its task of preparing recommendations for new civil rights legislation for disabled people. The Task Force's life has been extended to November 1999.

During the yearthere have been important developments with the existing legislation. The Task Force had initially recommended the establishment of a Disability Rights Commission and an Act to set up the Commission has completed its progress through Parliament. The TUC welcomed the proposal for a Commission and made representations in the consultation on the White Paper that preceded the legislation, stressing in particular the importance of the Commission having a majority of disabled members, and there being a trade union voice.

On the scope of the DDA, the TUC expressed disappointment that the Government had not heeded representations on the question of the small employer exemption. The Government reduced the threshold below which employers were exempt from the DDA from twenty to fifteen employees.

The sections of the DDA which apply to trade unions come into force in October 1999 and advice has been issued to unions on ensuring their accessibility to disabled members and applicants.

A new TUC guide, Representing Disabled Members - a Trade Union Guide to using the Disability Discrimination Act, was published in July. Its purpose was to advise union representatives on how to identify DDA cases, and steps to take to use the law to achieve the best results for disabled workers.

Disability Forums

The TUC has continued to consult with unions on disability issues by holding a further three Disability Forums. Chaired by Pat Hawkes, the meetings have been well attended by General Council members, union equality officers and disabled members, and Disability Appeal Tribunal members nominated by affiliates. The Forum has considered progress on the Task Force, developments in DDA case law, issues around benefits reform, the impact of the DDA on unions, developments in Europe, and other relevant topics.

TUC/NLBD Disability Conference

Following the success of the joint TUC/National League of the Blind and Disabled Conference on Disability issues held in 1998, a second conference was held on 16 July 1999 at Congress House. The title of the conference was Trade Unions: Advancing the Disability Debate, and the purpose was to allow trade unionists to discuss three important issues: achieving the civil rights agenda, the situation in Supported Employment, and a session on experience of negotiating solutions for disabled members in the workplace. Chaired by Pat Hawkes, the conference was addressed by John Monks; Joe Mann, General Secretary of the NLBD; and Margaret Hodge, DfEE Parliamentary Under-Secretary. There were 160 delegates present, representing 25 unions.

The conference also heard an address on the campaign to secure minority language status for British Sign Language from Jeff McWhinney of the British Deaf Association.

Welfare benefits reform

The Government's plans to reform the benefits system contained many proposals which had a direct impact on disabled people, as reported in Chapter eight. While some of the reforms had a positive impact, changes such as that to eligibility for Incapacity Benefit had caused great concern. The TUC produced information on and responses to the proposals, and they were discussed at the Disability Forums.

4.8 Age discrimination

Unions and the TUC have been receiving increasing numbers of enquiries from union members who have experienced discrimination on grounds of age. During the year the TUC has participated in Government consultations on age discrimination, and has been part of a small Department for Education and Employment working group that drew up a voluntary code of practice for employers on achieving age diversity in employment. The draft code was widely circulated for comment in January and the final version was launched in June, together with an information pack for employers. The TUC is backing the code, with the President, Hector MacKenzie, participating in its launch, while making clear the trade union movement's preference for legislation rather than a voluntary initiative. The Government will be promoting the code and the TUC will be helping to monitor its effectiveness.

Copyright © 1998 Trades Union Congress

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