UK: Lecturers’ Union Members Must Declare Their ‘Protected Characteristic’ When Applying to Attend
7th June 2016
A lecturers’ union is refusing to let its officers take part in debates at an equality summit if they are white, straight, able-bodied men.
The equality conference of the University and College Union said that members must declare their ‘protected characteristic’ – whether they are gay, disabled, female or from an ethnic minority – when applying to attend.
Activists say that it means representatives who do not qualify cannot participate in all of the discussions – even though they have been elected by their union branch.
I am not making this up.
Emma-Jane Phillips, who sits on the UCU equality committee, said: ‘Equality reps are passionate about equality regardless of their own situation.
To infer that someone does not understand someone’s situation just because you don’t tick a box is insulting.’
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