Equalities crucial to mainstream conditions

Irene Stout , Equalities Officer

The past 12 months have been the busiest I have experienced since the Branch was formed in 1996 and the Equalities agenda in the past year has been a main focus.

I have been involved in teams of branch negotiators who are dealing with issues such as Job Evaluation, Single Status, Pension Changes and Equal Pay. This is on top of changes in legislation which impact on Age Discrimination, the European Working Time Directive and updates on Flexible Working, amongst others too varied to put in detail (otherwise my annual report could fill the full booklet).

All this work is additional to the day-to day requirements of representing members and giving advice/guidance to Branch Officers, Shop Stewards and directly to members.

A busy 12 months. A demanding 12 months but in all truth a period which I have found stimulating, particularly having taking on the dual role of Equalities Officer and Service Conditions Officer.

Experience has demonstrated the relationship between the two roles cannot be underestimated and that is a theme I would wish to see developed in the discussions on how the branch should be restructured to address the issues of a revised Job Evaluation Scheme, a new Pay Structure and potential revisions to Terms and Conditions.

Last year I reported on work on a reinvigorated Self Organised Members structure. This started off with a great level of success with local meetings , the branch being represented at Scottish and National conferences and being instrumental in committees and policy groups at all levels.

Unfortunately, apart from the recent revival of the LGBT network, the initial impetus has been lost due to leading activists moving on but it is still my desire to put in place strong self-organisation and (if re-elected) I will be giving much thought to how that can be achieved.

We also need to consider the future role of the Equalities Committee in conjunction to the restructuring of the branch as the overlap between Equalities and mainstream Service Conditions becomes greater.

I consider myself fortunate to have the privilege of being an officer of this branch. Not only has it givien me the opportunity to represent my colleagues across the council, it has also allowed me to participate in forums at Scottish and National levels.

This provides opportunity for us to influence the union position on issues which cover the whole spectrum of your working life and I would place on record my thanks to all Branch Officers and Shop Stewards for their assistance in developing my contribution to those debates and forums.

We now have a new council and, in all honesty, are still trying to assess their commitment to Equality issues. Whilst the rhetoric is good, the reality is little has been put in place other than the legal minimum rather than trying to set best practice.

A new Consultative Group has been established but I await with interest whether changes are actually going to be of substance or just more meetings for the sake of meetings.

This is not a particularly positive report as, with the changing political environment in the council and at Holyrood, we have been treading water to an extent but I remain convinced that we can take forward an Equalities Agenda in 2008 which will be progressive and achieve real benefits for our members.

An Annual Report cannot pass without recognising the support I receive from my fellow Branch Officers and the terrific input from our office staff. Too many to name individually but I wish to place on record my thanks to all of them.