Pension campaign update
UNISON activists have voted to allow the union's negotiators to continue discussions with government ministers on changes to public sector pensions.

Negotiations on the local government scheme are due to run until April 2012.

Health members will be fully consulted on the offer when talks conclude in the coming weeks.

Until we have a firm offer, we need to keep up the pressure.

A factsheet detailing a full update will be available shortly on the UNISON website on the Pensions pages.

Guide to Equality in UNISON
UNISON has updated its guide which gives an overview of UNISON's agenda for promoting equality and tackling discrimination in employment, in public services, across society and in our union.
http://www.unison.org.uk/equality/pages_view.asp?did=8982

EHRC guidance on public sector equality duty (PSED):
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has re-published Equality Information and the equality duty: A guide for public authorities. The guidance includes information to assist bodies listed under the PSED specific duties for England (and non-devolved bodies in Scotland and Wales) to meet the deadline of 31 January 2012 for publishing information to demonstrate compliance with the duty.

You can find the revised guidance here:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/public-sector-equality-duty/guidance-on-the-equality-duty/

UNISON welcomes some justice for the Lawrence family
With the sentencing of two men for the murder of Stephen Lawrence, UNISON President Eleanor Smith welcomed a degree of justice for the Lawrence family, saying "At last the Lawrence family have some justice. Their campaign - which is not over - has been both tireless and dignified". To read UNISON's press release acknowledging the historic news, please visit http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=7515

UNISON service group elections - nominations open
All positions on UNISON's national service group executives are now up for election. The service group executives represent the area of employment in which you work: local government, health, police and justice, higher education, community, energy, water, the environment and transport. Regional self-organised groups are one of the bodies entitled to make nominations - nominations close on 17 February. More

Holocaust Memorial Day - 27 January
Holocaust Memorial Day has produced a 90 second film featuring Beverley Knight, Benjamin Zephaniah and Malorie Blackman. The film which highlights this year's theme of Speak Up, Speak Out, focuses on how voices can be used in many different ways - singing, beat boxing, performing impressions, producing poetry or bearing witness. The film, which also features Sabina Miller, Holocaust survivor and Afaf Hassan, whose family are trapped in Darfur, celebrates the power of the human voice, with contributors demonstrating the way in which their voice is amazing. To watch the film, order free materials for the day and to sign the pledge, visit http://www.speakupnow.org.uk

Measuring the Equality impact of cuts
UNISON has initiated ground breaking research with the Runnymede Trust to measure the equality impact of job cuts. Together with the TUC and other affiliated unions, Runnymede will produce an initial report on job cuts in the public sector followed by a survey of trade union branches. Toolkits and resources to help reps and activists gather the data will help us get a better picture of vulnerable groups of members, particularly Black and LGB workers, for whom meaningful data does not exist. The resources will be launched at TUC Black workers conference and aims to publish its findings at Congress.

Combating violence against women - sign the petition
In May 2011, the Council of Europe opened a new convention to combat violence against women and domestic violence. It has been signed by 17 countries now, but the UK isn't one of them.

The convention (called the Istanbul Convention) seeks to make sure countries are working towards a new minimum standard on violence against women. This would include; making sure they had a proper framework for protecting and assisting victims, promoting equality between women and men, and supporting law enforcement and international co-operation on eliminating violence against women.

The UK shouldn't have any problem in signing up to these principles, but by not doing so, the government are weakening the hand of others in countries where a strong convention could start to address major problems in the handling of violence against women and domestic violence.

When the UK took over as chair of the Council of Europe for a six month term they promised to use the position to focus on promoting human rights. Yet not signing the Istanbul Convention undermines our leadership in this area and gives the impression we don't see violence against women as a priority issue, in the UK or internationally.

The TUC has launched a petition to Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone, asking her to commit the UK to signing the Istanbul Convention. Please sign here:

http://action.goingtowork.org.uk/page/s/tell-the-uk-government-to-match-its-rhetoric-on-violence-against-women

Changes to 'paternity' leave
TUC briefing on changes to paternity rights legislation allowing partners, including same-sex partners, to take additional paternity leave and pay so a couple can share the care of their baby
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-20471-f0.cfm

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month
February is LGBT History Month, which celebrates the lives and achievements of the diverse LGBT community. Many branch and regional groups are supporting events. As we celebrate our past, we must defend our future and campaign to save LGBT services. Full listings of LGBT history month events at http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/. Find out how you can campaign to defend LGBT services at http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=12379

Schools out! conference - London, 4 February
Educating out Prejudice through the LGBT Lens, featuring speakers, presentations and workshops for all interested in promoting LGBT equality in education.
http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/featured-left/schools-out-conference-educating-out-prejudice-through-the-lgbt-lens/

Post school education LGBT equality events
The Forum for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality in Post-school Education, of which UNISON is a founder member, is holding three training events on advancing sexual orientation and gender identity equality in the post school sector: 8 February in Manchester, 1 March in London and 2 March in Coventry. More here

Cutting Edge Consortium conference - London, 21 April
The Cutting Edge Consortium - of which UNISON is a member - is holding its 3rd national conference in April. Under the theme LGBT Lives - Achieving our Equality, this conference will examine how to challenge faith based homophobia and transphobia and promote human rights. www.cuttingedgeconsortium.co.uk

Out for the weekend!
Croyde Bay, UNISON's holiday resort in North Devon, is offering an LGBT weekend on 4-7 May 2012, for £129 for three nights.
http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=13868

Young Members Weekend - 11 -13 May 2012, Leeds
This event brings together well over 100 young members from across the UK to find out more about the union and, more importantly, how they can play a part in the union's campaigning to defend public services. It will take place against a background of unremitting attacks on public services and on young people, so one focus will be a practical campaigning activity, including approaching members of the public to get our case across. It's a great chance to meet, work, and socialise with other young members and learn some key skills.

If you will be under 27 years of age on 13th May, ask your branch secretary about attending. Alternatively you can get in touch with your regional young members contact by calling 0845 355 0845, or by emailing your full name, branch name, and membership number to young.members@unison.co.uk

Weekend costs - including accommodation, meals, travel, childcare and other appropriately incurred expenses - will be met by UNISON. Please note that numbers are limited, and registering your interest does not guarantee you a place at the event.

UNISON social networking
UNISON now has an official presence on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/unisontheunion. Please ‘like’ the page if you are on Facebook.

Future Self Organised Group Conferences and events
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender dates
UNISON national bisexual members network meeting - morning of 20 July, London
UNISON national transgender members network meeting - afternoon of 20 July, London
UNISON national disabled LGBT members network meeting - 7 September, London
UNISON national Black LGBT members network meeting - 8 September, London
UNISON national LGBT conference - 16-18 November, Brighton

Black members Conference
Brighton, 3 - 5 February 2012

Women's Conference
Brighton, 16 - 18 February 2012

Disabled Members
Brighton, 27 - 29 October 2012

LGBT Conference
Brighton, 16 - 18 November 2012

Further details can be found at: http://www.unison.org.uk/conference/ Members wishing to attend should speak to their branch in the first instance.

E-Quality Bulletin
Since the E-Quality bulletin has been launched, we have issued regular updates on equality issues including the Equality Bill and its passage through Parliament. We have also kept you up to date with UNISON's responses to various consultations on the Statutory Codes of Practice and non-statutory guidance.

We have provided progress updates on UNISON’s Equality Scheme and information on how UNISON can support and provide training for branch officers. It is hoped that it is a useful tool for providing information on forthcoming Self Organised events as well as UNISON campaigns and issues affecting members.
Please continue to let us know if there are issues you would like included in future editions of the bulletin. We would also welcome feedback on the ways that you have been able to use the bulletin as an organising tool.