For comments, quotes or interviews, contact:
Andrew Little, EPF Programme Director, 020 7564 2180 alittle@ukcoalition.org
Read all the latest HIV news Positive Nation magazine
National AIDS Trust, Media Centre
Terrence Higgins Trust, Media Centre
Loads of useful statistics and information about HIV and AIDS AVERT website
Media Centre > News Releases > Unison joins forces with EPF
Unison places HIV on the agenda at London conference
28th November 2006
Unison, the public services union, has joined forces with Ensuring Positive Futures to stage a groundbreaking conference to raise awareness of HIV in the workplace.
Christina Earl (left) from Ensuring Positive Futures, with Alan Jarman and Cindy Westcarr from Unison. EPF and Unison worked in partnership for a hugely successful conference, which it is hoped will become an annual event.
It’s amazing that in today’s age of information there is still so much ignorance surrounding HIV.
Some people still believe that HIV can be transmitted through sharing coffee mugs or even from toilet seats!
This ignorance can often lead to people living with HIV being mistreated in the workplace, and sometimes losing their jobs.
Unison, the largest union in the UK, has taken a lead within the trade union movement by organising a conference for its members to foster understanding of HIV in the workplace.
Trade unions can play a vital role in supporting people living with HIV in the workplace, so it’s essential that trade union reps and branch officers understand the issues surrounding HIV.
The event, held in London on 27th November to coincide with World Aids Day, was well attended and delegates were addressed by fellow trade unionists who were actually living with HIV. In addition there were workshops covering issues such as healthcare, families and legal issues.
As HIV increases year on year it becomes an issue that cannot be ignored. It is hoped that this trailblazing conference will become an annual event, and that Unison’s example will be followed by other trade unions.
Christina Earl, Head of Trade Union projects at EPF partner, the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids, commented:
"Public Service workers living with HIV will see this as a step towards breaking down the stigma and fears surrounding the virus. Unison are leading the way for other unions to bring HIV and AIDS back to the top of their agendas.
"Unison are making a difference not just to those public service workers already affected by HIV, but also sending a clear message to anyone who accesses public services that discrimination will not be accepted.”
-ends-
Notes
- Ensuring Positive Futures (EPF) is part of a community programme called Equal, a European Social Fund initiative, which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequality in the labour market. The GB Equal Support Unit is managed by ECOTEC.
- UNISON is Britain's biggest trade union with more than 1.3 million members. Its members include people working in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and in the essential utilities. www.unison.org.uk
Contact
Christina Earl, Head of Employment and Trade Union Projects, UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS:
Email: cearl@ukcoalition.org
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7564 2180
This site is operated by the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS, 250 Kennington Lane, London SE115RD. Registered Charity number 1081309, Limited company, Registered Company in England and Wales number 2857569. Reproduction of material on this site is encouraged for non-for-profit or educational purposes on condition that permission is sought first. Ensuring Positive Futures is part of a community programme called Equal, a European Social Fund initiative, which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequality in the labour market. The GB Equal Support Unit is managed by ECOTEC.