- Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
- Seminar on Disability Issues in the Workplace
- Glasgow Pride
- Show Racism the Red Card
- Diary Dates
Welcome to this edition of the equality newsletter for Unite Amicus Section members in Scotland. The intention is to provide a regular update on key issues and developments of relevance to our members. Whilst we appreciate that not every rep or steward has access to email either at home or at work, increasingly most do and it represents the quickest and most cost effective way of providing up to date information. If there is a story or issue you would like to see covered in forthcoming bulletins please contact Gillian McKay, details at the top of this newsletter.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
To celebrate International World Psoriasis Day on the 29 October 2008. Psoriasis Scotland together with Unite will be hosting an event in the Scottish Parliament between 6 and 8 pm on Wednesday 8 October 2008. This event is to raise awareness of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Unite representative Steve McBean will address the meeting highlighting the difficulties that sufferers face in the workplace including time off work to attend hospital. Discrimination/Bullying and Harassment.
Unite the union will not be in attendance at the Scottish Parliament event and instead has decided to host its own event on International World Psoriasis Day 29 October 2008.
This event will take place at the Amicus Section Office, John Smith House, 145-165 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 4RZ.
This will be a lunch time event, with a small buffet lunch from 12.30 – 1.00pm, followed by guest speakers. The event will finish no later than 3.00 pm. Further details will follow once speakers have confirmed attendance. If you have an interest in this subject or are a sufferer and would like to attend this event then please complete and return the form below, to allow us to make catering arrangements.
Places will be limited and will be based on first come first served basis.
If you require any further information on then please contact Gillian Mckay or telephone 01382 226 268
Many tolerate constant pain from cracking and bleeding skin. They bear the humiliation of continually shedding scales that litter their clothes and surroundings. They struggle with the disappointment of treatments and the lack of a cure. Some wrestle with a crippling form of arthritis, called psoriatic arthritis. More than anything, they sometimes bear the brunt of public rejection because of the misunderstanding surrounding the disease. Yet, much of the world’s population finds psoriasis a trivial matter requiring little understanding or sympathy.
Psoriasis Scotland is a charity, dependant on volunteers and fund-raising to highlight the seriousness of these illnesses. This is a very small charity which receiving no public funding and is completely dependant on volunteers. Please take a couple of minutes to look at the web-site and Support this charity.
The Disabled Workers Committee will be moving a motion at the STUC Disabled Workers Conference in November, in support of Psoriasis Scotland to have these illnesses recognised as a disability.
The event at the Scottish Parliament on the 8 October 2008 will be a high profile event, to celebrate World Psoriasis day. There will be MSP’s, senior clinicians in dermatology and rheumatology and trade union representatives present. There are a few places left to attend this event. If you have an interest in this subject or are a sufferer and would like to attend this event then please contact Gillian McKay.
Seminar on Disability Issues in the Workplace
Scottish Hazards Campaign Group invites you to a seminar on Disability issues in the workplace. This event will take place on Thursday 11 September 2008, Glasgow City Unison, 18 Albion Street, Glasgow. 1.00pm – 4.00pm. This event is free to attend. Registration will begin at 12.30 followed by a light lunch.
Delegates will be able to hear from Susan Archibald, who took a disability discrimination case to the House of Lords with support from the Disability Rights Commission and won her case. There will be other key speakers followed by questions and an open discussion.
To register to attend this seminar please contact Kathy Jenkins, Secretary, Scottish Hazards Campaign, or telephone 0131 477 0817.
Glasgow Pride – 30 August 2008
Glasgow Pride takes place this Saturday 30 August 2008. The March will start at 11.30 am from Blythswood Square, following the route through West Regent Street, Renfield Street, Union Street, Argyle Street, Queen Street, George Street and onto George Square.
The rally will start from about 12.30 on George Square with the raising of a Rainbow Flag above the City Chambers and speeches from Nicola Sturgeon (Deputy First Minister) and Cllr Irfan Rabbani (Glasgow city council equalities spokesperson)
Anyone wishing to join the Unite delegation should contact Gillian McKay.
Show Racism the Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card is once again calling upon people from all sections of the community to take a united stand against racism. Statistics show a year on year increase in reported racist incidents in Scotland. Gone are the days when racism is based only on colour, with racism towards asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers, the Irish and English communities also occurring on a daily basis.
Show Racism the Red Card will endeavour to tackle racism in all its guises. But we all have a role to play by challenging racist attitudes on our streets and in our workplace. Our grants scheme can act as a catalyst for long-term projects to be developed. Our free and low cost resources can assist events and projects that are organised as part of the Fortnight of Action to galvanise support for our anti racist message.
With your help we can continue to make the Fortnight of Action a period of concerted action and tackle the scourge of racism that affects our society.
- Fortnight of Action – 2008
- Fortnight of Action – 2008 Booklet
- Fortnight of Action – Resources Application Form:
Diary Dates:
September
- 2 September – Ramadam begins – Islam
- 4 September – Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu
- 6 September – Cardiff L&G Mardi Gras
- 30 – 1 September/Oct – Rosh Hashanah – Jewish
October
- Black History Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- 2 October – Eid a Fitr (Ramadam ends) – Islam
- 4-5 October – STUC Black Workers Conference
- 9 October – Yom Kippur – Jewish
- 10 October – World Mental Health Day
- 28 October – Diwali (Deepavili) Hindu, Sikh, Jain