UCU: Statutory time off for equality

Motion

Motion text: Nearly forty years after the Equal Pay Act Gender inequalities continue to blight Post Compulsory Education. In addition an analysis of research into progress towards equality in FE and HE confirms what UCU's members already know: that homophobic bullying features in the daily lives of many students and lecturers; there persists a widespread failure to comply with race legislation; whilst both systemic institutional discrimination and failure to promote disability equality endures.
In those few institutions where good practice is evident from research, the crucial role of trade union involvement is highlighted. It is clear that for progressive legislation around equality to have an impact the support of trade unionists at the chalkface in the sector is required. Congress calls on the NEC to lobby the government to secure a statutory right for Equality Representatives to take reasonable paid time off during working hours for trade union equality duties.