The new STUC One Workplace Equality Award to recognise the role of Scottish trade union members in challenging discriminatory practices and attitudes in the workplace has been presented (14.45 hrs Monday 16th April) at the STUC Annual Congress being held at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.
Margaret Anslow, TSSA Equality Rep based at Network Rail in Edinburgh has been announced as the first recipient. Margaret’s work has involved undertaking a research project that highlighted gaps in the implementation of equality policies at her workplace and introducing briefings and monitoring of equality based policies.
Trade union reps are often the unsung heroes making a real difference for workers throughout the country. For reps, the daily experience can be one of challenging suspicion and mistrust from management, representing members when they have a problem, and people outside the workplace generally have little knowledge of the wide range of tasks union reps undertake!
However, union reps have a key role to play in tackling inequality and discrimination by supporting their members who are being discriminated against and solve problems for workers everyday from the smallest grievance to major strategic issues.
Communities Minister Rhona Brankin said:
We are delighted for Margaret to win the first STUC One Workplace Award. The STUC’s One Workplace Project is one of the major national projects supporting the Scottish Executive’s One Scotland campaign. Both the Project and the Award recognise the important role trade unions play in promoting equality and addressing workplace discrimination, and we fully support their efforts.
STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith commented: “Whilst we welcome the significant progress achieved so far by, and within, unions, more action is needed to challenge discriminatory work practices and inspire activity to promote equal opportunities in Scotland’s workplaces. This new Award highlights the pivotal role that trade union reps play in addressing discriminatory practices in the workplace. On winning the Award Margaret Anslow commented:
“Winning an award like this is a real honour and just shows, what can be accomplished when a forward thinking union and well organised Project unite together to provide the right support and training, which can create the right environment for a modern day rep to achieve anything, especially a female in a still male dominated environment.
“Ladies, that glass ceiling is gradually breaking, you just have to keep on pushing.”
ENDS
Notes for editors The ‘STUC One Workplace Equality Award’ highlights the work of the STUC’s ground breaking One Workplace Equal Rights Project which has, since its launch in 2004, supported trade unions in Scotland in promoting equal opportunities issues in the workplace by offering support, targeted training and advice to trade unions, employers and employees on rights at work and on promoting and bargaining for inclusive work practices. The Award is intended to inspire and encourage more Scottish trade union members and trade unions and their members to take more action to represent and negotiate equality issues on behalf of their members.
For more information contact Zaffir Hakim, Development Manager 07970261411