Trade unionists slam the ruling as regressive and spiteful
The TUC union federation has slammed the Supreme Court’s ruling that rolled back trans+ rights—and called for self-identification.
Delegates at the annual conference in Brighton declared that “transgender rights are human rights”. “Transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people are entitled to live and work free from prejudice and harassment,” the motion said.
It argues that the Supreme Court ruling goes against “both recent and past European Court of Human Rights judgements”.
It says that the TUC must “campaign publicly on its policy for gender self-declaration” and for the “full rights” of trans+ people “in the workplace and wider society”.
A GMB union delegate, Barbara, moved the motion. She said that the motion “seeks to reinstate the case for dignity, respect, equality, inclusion and for the recognition and restoration of fundamental human rights”.
Barbara concluded, “Trans+ workers are our members, they have stood beside us in our struggles. Now is the time for us to stand beside them and join our voices in all our strength in the most basic and powerful way—through solidarity.”
Mick Whelan, Aslef train drivers’ union general secretary, blasted the ruling and the interim guidance issued since as “regressive at worst and spiteful at heart”.
The motion adds, “We note since the Supreme Court ruling, there has been a surge of transphobic hate promoted by the far right, for political advantage.
“That the rise of far right hate against LGBT+ people including trans people, as well as against migrants, women and all minority groups, is dangerous and a threat to trade union values.
The motion invited the minister for women and equalities, Bridget Phillipson, to meet with the TUC general council. Phillipson, who is also education secretary, spoke at the conference on Tuesday.
“The motion tells us how the far right is promoting transphobia for political purposes,” said Jenny Black, a Unison union delegate.
“This is not the preserve of the far right. It is the left as well as this Labour government. They’re using us as political football and it is trans+ people they are kicking around.”
Jenny continued, “The government minister you listened to today,” Phillipson, “is at the heart of their segregation”.
“Calling for a meeting isn’t enough. We demand a meeting—we demand a workable solution.”
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