Disabled workers demand representation and voice

Over the Bank Holiday weekend I attended the UCU Congress in Liverpool where, one of the motions I hoped to move was entitled Disabled workers demand representation and voice. Unfortunately, the motion was not debated due to lack of time.

However, the issue of representation of disabled people and ensuring that they have a voice is extremely important. Below I am adapting the speech that I intended to give and would welcome your comments.

Readers may recall that the battle cry of the American Revolution was  ‘No Taxation without representation’

Maybe we should adopt that as the campaign slogan for the disability rights movement

Make Yourself Heard

I want to say that I am delighted that the UCU (University & College Union) publicly supported the Disabled Peoples Manifesto last year https://www.disabledpeoplesmanifesto.com/manifesto

It is important to remember that last year's General Election resulted in probably the most unrepresentative Parliament in modern times.

The UK Parliament is unrepresentative in a number of ways including gender and ethnicity. However, in this article I want to focus on disability

The motion tabled for debate at the UCU Congress highlighted a number of important facts:

1. If the UK Parliament was truly representative there would be 136 disabled MPs as opposed to only 9 MPs currently identifying as disabled

2. Only 16% of councillors are disabled - I do not know if that figure has improved or got worse as a result of this year's elections

3. In my opinion insufficient trade union NEC members self-identify as disabled

I would like to point out that part of our motivation for submitting this motion for debate at the UCU Congress was that we were aware of a colleague who wanted to attend the TUC Disabled Workers Conference but was unable to do so. This was because of his impairments which meant that he could not attend in person and the TUC only allow for in-person attendance. It is ironic that a disabled member was excluded from the Disabled Workers Conference

I am proud that the UCU are leading the way in holding their conferences on a hybrid basis. I believe that hybrid conferences and meetings are more inclusive and in-person conferences and meetings are, unfortunately, more exclusive

The motion, which I reproduce below was very clear about what we were asking both the UCU National Executive Committee and the General Secretary to do.

In short, disabled members demand proper representation and an equal voice.

Disabled Peoples Manifesto

In the Disabled Peoples Manifesto it states:

"We want Disabled people to participate across all political and public roles, with the required adjustments put in place, so we can achieve real justice and equality."

"Disabled people’s led organisations (“Disabled People’s Organisations”) are accountable to our community and must be viewed as primary advocates for us and be funded accordingly. Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) must have a seat at national and local decision-making tables and all Disabled people to fully participate in democratic processes."

It goes on to make the following demands on behalf of Deaf & Disabled Peoples Organisations:

• An election fund to support reasonable adjustments for Disabled candidates at local and national elections.

• Strategic funding to support the network of DPOs across England to advocate for the rights of Disabled People.

• Accessibility standards for elections including removal of voter ID.

• Accessibility standards for all public consultation.

• Co-produce policies and programmes at national and local level with Disabled people and our organisations.

What do you think?

Please share your thoughts in the comments box below this article.

Below is the Motion that was on the agenda of the UCU Congress over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Please do invite your trade union to debate and adopt this motion

Disabled Workers Demand Representation & Voice

Congress notes that the Family Resources Survey 2022-2023 shows that 1 in 4 of the UK’s population are classed as disabled.

Congress further notes that:

• In a truly representative UK Parliament there would be 136 disabled MPs, as opposed to only 9 current MPs self-identifying as disabled

• Only 16.1% of councillors are disabled

• Insufficient trade union NEC members self-identify as disabled.

Congress calls upon the General Secretary and the NEC to:

• Submit a motion to the TUC Congress calling on the TUC and its affiliated unions to provide full support to disabled members to enable them to fully participate in the work of their trade union and the TUC

• Ensure that the UCU provides full support to its disabled members to enable them to fully participate in the union including support to stand in all internal and external elections including the TUC and its various committees