Union equality rep projects win funding

The government’s Union Modernisation Fund (UMF) has awarded funding to 28 projects, including six aimed at developing union equality reps, it was announced during Congress week.

The 28 projects will benefit from £2.8 million in total under the UMF, which was established two years ago to help unions adapt to a changing labour market and share best practice. Capacity building for equality reps was added as a priority theme in this round, following recommendations from the Women and Work Commission.

The five successful equality rep bids were from public services union UNISON, the TUC, the General Federation of Trade Unions together with communications union Connect, professional union Prospect, the NUT teachers’ union and the TSSA transport and clerical union.

Announcing the successful projects, employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: “Unions are making a significant contribution to greater productivity and a highly trained and motivated workforce. Although disputes are often what makes the news, unions can and do help bring constructive employment relations.”