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Equality Mainstreaming in the Trade Union Sector Marian Geoghegan, IBOA Carol Sheffer, CWU

Equality Mainstreaming in the Trade Union Sector Marian Geoghegan, IBOA Carol Sheffer, CWU Aileen Morrissey, Mandate. Aims. Project Aim: to develop a strategic approach to mainstreaming equality within union structures

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Equality Mainstreaming in the Trade Union Sector Marian Geoghegan, IBOA Carol Sheffer, CWU

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  1. Equality Mainstreaming in the Trade Union Sector Marian Geoghegan, IBOA Carol Sheffer, CWU Aileen Morrissey, Mandate

  2. Aims • Project Aim: to develop a strategic approach to mainstreaming equality within union structures • How? through the development and implementation of integrated policies, procedures and training • Using practical guidelines and tools

  3. Introduction to the Unions • Mandate represents over 40,000 workers in the retail and bar sector in Ireland. Mandate is the largest private sector union specialising in the retail trade • IBOA - The Finance Union is the leading trade union representing workers in Ireland’s financial services sector with over 20,000 members. • CWU has a proven track record in representing members’ interests. Today there are almost 17,000 members in the Union including Eircom, An Post, Vodafone, Meteor, O2, American Airlines and many others.

  4. Development of Training Course • The three modules for the course were: • Understanding Equality • Dealing with Equality Issues • Mainstreaming Equality Included guest speakers on the legal framework, equality institutions, relevant cases • Attendees from all three unions including full-time and lay officials from diverse sectors • Opportunity to share experiences • Pre- and post-course questionnaire and evaluation report on the value of equality training in the trade union movement

  5. Development of Training Manual • Produced to assist union representatives to develop knowledge and competencies so as to build an awareness of, and commitment to, mainstreaming equality • The manual was developed to support the three-day course • In modular format allowing flexibility in both the delivery and the selection of the subject matter for each day of training • Manual also includes a toolkit for further use by attendees

  6. Mini training sessions • 2 hour training session on equality was developed - to be mainstreamed into general union training • 20 sessions delivered by the unions as part of the project • Utilised today as a normal part of training modules

  7. Equality Policy for Trade Unions • Aim: to support a positive work environment that endorses equality for both Union employees and all our members • Respect and value the diversity of our employees, our members and all those that we do business with • Policy covered the legislative framework, unions’ responsibilities, and equality mainstreaming in unions • Adopted by unions, promoted and distributed at Union Conferences & training events

  8. Equality Handbook for Union Representatives • A practical handbook on raising equality awareness for trade unions • The role of the equality/union representative and guidance on how to raise issues with management • Introduction to equality legislation and equality institutions of the state

  9. Dissemination of Materials • Each union developed a dedicated information section on its website on mainstreaming equality where the publications from the project were posted • The partners made the materials available in electronic format on a USB card which was distributed at the launch of our materials and to our union representatives. • Also on the ICTU website for use by other unions

  10. IBOA House L-R: Carol Scheffer, CWU, Marian Geoghegan, IBOA, Judge Yvonne Murphy Carol Baxter, Equality Authority, Anne Casey, Stefania Minervino, Equality Authority & Aileen Morrissey, Mandate Launch of Equality Materials

  11. Employer Partnership • An Post was the employer partner with input into the Equality Mainstreaming project activities • Meetings to discuss the material • Enhanced sharing of information and communications to staff • Support for the development of other equality issues • Awareness raising and networking

  12. Further Outcomes • Member engagement • Training materials continuously used and customised as part of overall union training • Recent equality training courses where all materials were used • Strong focus on equality at national and regional level • Constant agenda item with regular reporting

  13. Further Outcomes • Link in with the ICTU designed one-day training course on taking equality cases to Tribunal • Down Syndrome Ireland training for Mandate Officials & Reps plus Policy document development • An example of how our project feeds into other equality initiatives and enhances the overall aim of mainstreaming equality

  14. Conclusions • Partnership with unions from different sectors and member backgrounds - issues the same • Quality training material and toolkits that all trade unions can use • Benefits of employer partnership • Raising awareness within various ICTU committees • The project lives on

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