TUC: Worth of Equality Reps Proves Significant

A report published by the TUC shows a significant increase in the number of new union reps across the United Kingdom. Their mission is to fight for more equality and fairness in the workplace.

Private and public sector organisations are seeing new, active equality reps take the stage for equality. About 1,400 new reps will be active by the end of March 2010.

This will come as a change to many organisations since, “Compared to union activities relating to safety and learning, equality reps are a relatively new phenomenon, though some unions have had activists with similar roles for years.” – TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber

Funding from the Union Modernisation Fund and the Government Equalities Office in 2009 made it possible for the TUC to take on so many new reps. The funding also gave way to research to find out the degree to which reps have an impact on their organisations.

Their research concluded that most (65 per cent) of equality reps work in the public sector, while 32 per cent work in the private sector and only three per cent work with volunteers.

Equality representatives polled said that they believe the more time they are able to dedicate to their organisations, the more impact they feel they have. Roughly a quarter of reps stated that they devote more than five hours in a week to equality-related issues and almost another quarter said that they work less than one hour in a week on such matters.

Barber also stated her concerns about time allocation: “…Equality reps tell us they could be much more effective in promoting equality if they had more time to carry out their duties. While some are given sufficient time to do their equality work, others have to juggle their union work alongside their paid jobs, which means they are being nowhere near as effective as they could be.

Introducing a statutory duty giving equality reps the same right to take time out for their union duties as shop stewards and safety reps would make a real difference. Unions had hoped Government would introduce this new right and we are disappointed that this will not happen this side of an election.”

Most (64 per cent) equality reps reported that their employers give them adequate time to complete their equality tasks, but thirty-six percent said they do not feel they are given the proper amount of time to do their job.

Equality reps have several duties to carry out, including advising colleagues, endorsing good practice, investigating harassment and discrimination claims, and making requests for flexible working.

Barber said: “Equality reps are making a real difference in thousands of workplaces across the UK. Not only does their presence help improve relations between managers and unions, equality reps also help employers avoid costly litigation, and are a reassuring presence for colleagues threatened by harassment or discrimination at work.”

With more of a presence by Spring, the TUC is hoping that their mission is carried out more fully in the coming year.