GWR: TSSA Equality Rep vacancies 11 August 2021

We now have 2 vacancies for Equality representatives in GWR.

Who are the existing Representatives?

Back at the beginning of the year we were able to elect 3 new Equality representatives unopposed out of the 5 TSSA seats who have been attending meetings and working on introducing new or improving upon existing guidance/policies or procedures. (Like the Transgender Guidance that should be agreed soon and the Respect and Dignity Policy which is in the process of being updated).

Your existing Equality representatives can be found in the Reps area. 

What do Equality representatives do?

Equality representatives are there to champion the position of under-represented groups within the workforce, ideally paving the way to enable the workforce to better reflect wider society by breaking down barriers that still exist and providing support to those colleagues and members who need it.

Much of the issues that Equality representatives will be involved in is supported by a piece of legislation called the Equality Act 2010 which recognises and provide protections for various Protected characteristics, namely:

Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion and Belief, Sex, Sexual Orientation, additionally TSSA recognise Education levels and Socio-Economic status.

TSSA are union leaders in Organising on Equality particularly for groups such as Women, Neurodiversity, LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Young workers issues and are committed to celebrate and promote diversity by campaigning for positive change in the workplace.

We are still in negotiations with GWR over the agreement that will underpin the Equality representatives but will share this once it is agreed.

Stand for Nomination

As we still have 2 vacancies, we are calling on members to stand for nomination, if we receive more than 2 valid nomination forms by the closing date then we will need to run an election. Any TSSA member working within GWR can become a TSSA Equality rep. Although it would be good to have candidates from the BAME community and/or those that are Neurodiverse particularly from the East and West regions where we are not yet represented.

Getting nominated by your fellow TSSA members is straight forward simply fill in the nomination form that can be downloaded, then complete it with your details, sign it and find 6 TSSA members to nominate you for election. Then scan it and email it to Alan Valentine valentinea@tssa.org.uk .

Nominations should be received no later than 9am on Friday 10 September 2021, any questions should be directed to Alan Valentine. 

All representatives will be entitled to paid time off to carry out their duties and receive training.