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Transport workers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) stand to benefit from a new resource Fighting for equality: Trade Unions and LGBTI rights, but only if their unions use it. Global Unions launched the set of practical guides recently, a coalition of the world’s union federations that represents hundreds of millions of workers, across every industry.
The resource highlights the work already being done by LGBTI workers and their allies within unions. New and interesting campaigns are identified, and there are tips on how to build a more inclusive union. The guides also have suggestions based on other unions’ experiences, exploring how policies and new democratic structures can help LGBTI+ members to participate more fully in the decisions and environment of the union.
Global collaboration with a transport focus
Global union federations such as Education International, IndustriAll and PSI, have been undertaking similar efforts as the ITF to support their affiliates’ LGBTI work, including collaborating with the ITF through the Global Unions’ dedicated working group.
In the transport sector, hundreds of unions passed a resolution at the ITF Congress in Singapore, committing the global union federation to advance equality for LGBTI transport workers. To deliver on the resolution, the ITF set up its own working group, designed to coordinate the feedback and actions of the ITF’s diverse industrial sections, international regions, and secretariat departments and to maximise the impact of efforts for LGBTI workers. LGBT rights is a union issue.
Commenting on the launch of the new resources, Ingo Marowsky, the co-chair of the ITF’s LGBTI+ working group, said that resource was going to be “certainly helpful for our affiliates who want to progress this important area of work, but also to those who are new to LGBTI advocacy and inclusion.
“This publication will be a great resource for our affiliates who want to progress with this important topic. The ITF’s mandate from our Congress is crystal clear, as is where we stand on LGBTQI+ workers’ rights.”
Marowsky’s co-chair Shauna McCormack said unions were missing out on potential members, activists and leaders if they didn’t ensure their unions were inclusive.
“Commitment to the advocacy of LGBTQI+ workers’ rights are essential to the future of work to ensure genuine equality and respect globally. We welcome the union practices outlined in this publication to help our affiliates learn from each other in taking the steps to help create a safe and welcoming workplace for the LGBTQI+ community.”
The Global Unions publication ‘Fighting for equality: Trade Unions and LGBTI rights’, is available in English (EN), French (FR), and Spanish (ES) and can be downloaded for free here.
If you would like to hear more about the work of the LGBT+ working group contact: mail@itf.org.uk