Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman MP, Minister for Women and Equality, presented this year’s One Workplace Equality Award 2009 to recognise the role of Scottish trade union members in promoting equality in the workplace at the STUC Annual Congress in Perth.
The recipient of the 2009 One Workplace Equality Award was Alex Miller, Brigade Secretary for Strathclyde for the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in Scotland. In 2005, Alex was among the first Equality Reps trained by the STUC’s One Workplace Equal Rights Project. He has been the driving force behind a number of FBU initiatives to promote equality and tackle discrimination:
• Research with school pupils on why women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds do not apply for jobs in the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in Scotland.
• A new maternity policy that takes full account of the issues raised by FBU female fire fighters and is actively being recommended as an example of good practice to other Fire& Rescue Services.
• The design and purchase of a welfare pod to ensure dignified facilities are available for firefighters at protracted fire incidents.
• An audit of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue premises to establish the provision of dignified facilities and access for disabled persons, resulting in management agreeing a schedule for the necessary improvements
• extending flexible working provisions for staff with care responsibilities.
Harriet Harman MP, Minister for Women and Equality, said:
"Congratulations to Alex. He is a shining example of how trade union equality reps can be a catalyst for this change in the workplace, and make a real difference to men and women’s lives.
“Equality is vital for a modern economy, so that nobody is excluded and it can draw on the widest possible pool of talent, with everybody contributing. People mustn’t be driven out of the workplace or squeezed into a corner.
“Transparency and flexibility is the Equality reps tool. Earlier this month we extended flexible working to parents of older children, improved maternity pay, and our forthcoming Equality Bill will have tough measures to increase transparency in the workplace.”
Grahame Smith STUC General Secretary commented:
“Alex’s work shows why the impact of equality and diversity issues in workplaces should be considered at the outset and not as an after thought. He is an excellent example of how an equality rep can inspire action to make a real difference in the workplace.”
Alex said:
“I feel that this is an honour not only me but also for the Fire Brigades Union. Hopefully, both as an individual and as an organisation, we can make further improvements on our journey for true equality on behalf of our colleagues within the workplace.”
CWU receive 2009 STUC Health and Safety Award
The Scottish Trades Union Congress announced that Graeme Russell, Regional Safety Secretary for the Communication Workers Union (CWU), is this years recipient of the STUC Health and Safety Award for his work in promoting and developing positive partnership working in protecting the health, safety and welfare of CWU members in the Edinburgh and Borders Branch.
Grahame Smith STUC General Secretary said
“The standard of the nomination for this years award have been exceptionally high and Graeme faced stiff competition from health and safety representative in other unions.
“However, his extensive work in organising around health and safety activity including recruitment of new safety representatives in addition to his day to day role as a safety representative make him a worthy recipient of the second health and safety award.
“Identifying and developing systems of work to ensure safe removal of cotton braided cable containing a potentially lethal cocktail of arsenic based paint and asbestos from telephone exchanges provided an excellent example of trade unions and employers working together to protect the lives of BT workers and contractors.
“Additionally, Graeme’s involvement in raising mental health awareness and stroke prevention provide an excellent example of a safety representative playing and important role in the workplace well being agenda in addition to their traditional and vitally important safety role.”
Understanding Glaswegian? Nae problem wi’ union learning!
James Lillis is no ordinary bus driver. He is also an award-winning Union Learning Representative for Unite. In this role, James makes learning opportunities accessible to all employees at First Glasgow. There are a large number of Eastern European migrant workers within the bus depot, so James learned to speak Polish. This has enabled him to better help the migrant community.
James said, “When new employees come to Scotland and hear the Glasgow accent, it can be a problem. Drivers have to learn to understand what is meant if a customer says, for example, “Gie us an a’ day tae the toon.” In some ways we speak a strange language, so as Union Learning Reps we sit down and help them translate Glaswegian so they can do their job.”
James received the 4th Annual STUC Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning at the STUC Annual Congress in Perth. The Award is sponsored by learndirect scotland and was presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop MSP.
James said, “I am very proud and honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning. As a Union Learning Representative, it is very rewarding and satisfying to see learners fulfil their potential and further their education.”
STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
“This award recognises the leading role trade union activists play in the promotion of lifelong learning and skills in workplaces in all sectors throughout Scotland.
“James Lillis is a natural leader who focuses his efforts in supporting others to learn within the workplace. He is an asset to his union and a credit to the trade union-led lifelong learning movement.”
Unite Regional Secretary John Quigley said:
"I am very pleased on behalf of Unite to congratulate James Lillis on winning the Helen Dowie Award, and recognise the excellent work he and his colleagues are doing. The lifelong learning project at First Bus has given our members new opportunities to improve their skills, and to get support and guidance from the union.”
“I am particularly impressed with the work that has been done to integrate migrant workers into the workplace by providing ESOL courses. All of the Unite Union Learning Reps across the country, in all sectors of our economy, are doing an excellent job of helping their colleagues to raise their skill levels by negotiating with their employers for better access to learning and training."
Johann Lamont MSP said:
"I was delighted to learn of James' fabulous success in securing this prestigious award. His role in developing the Learning Centre within the workplace and his tireless work in supporting his fellow Polish workers to integrate within their community is an inspiration to us all and speaks powerfully of everything that is best about trade unions and trade unionists. I congratulate James on his award, commend the STUC on its ongoing commitment to learning in the workplace and urge employers to support such important efforts in workplaces across Scotland."
James runs the workplace Learning Centre where he promotes participation in lifelong learning through short story competitions and setting up various numeracy and literacy initiatives. On his own initiative, James designed, developed and now runs a course that shows the hazards a driver can encounter on bus routes in Glasgow. The course also explores issues such as vehicle checks and customer care. As a result of his commitment, Polish workers beginning work with First Glasgow actively approach the union to join.