Lucy Power - Chairperson / LGBT Regional Rep

I joined UNISON in 2008 as Kent Police entered the first austerity cuts that all the public sector was about to be subjected to. It was a fraught time, and brought home to me how important the union was in protecting people subject to one business case after the other. That realisation made me become a steward in 2010, so I could also support my workplace colleagues. Within a few short years I was Branch Chair, Equalities Officer, Disabilities Officer, and LGBT+ Officer. I’m a sucker for punishment.

In recent times I’ve stepped back slightly and dropped the disabilities, and share the LGBT+ role.

When I became a steward in 2010, I was just finishing my part-time OU degree in Sociology with Politics and Social Policy. This area of study focused my mind on the lack of diversity and inclusion in all areas of public life. Something that has come to the fore in 2020 with the blooming of the Black Lives Matter movement. With the support of UNISON I did an Equalities Diploma, and an Employment Law diploma. UNISON has some amazing opportunities to educate and support stewards, and I would always recommend members explore whether providing support to your colleagues would allow UNISON to better support you.

I gradually came to understand the many routes that UNISON provides to enable us to support our colleagues in all their wonderful diversity. Having been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2012 I was keen to support our disabled colleagues. I sat on the committee of Crystal Clear exploring support opportunities and ways to make our disability practices more inclusive. I have often felt that not enough attention is given to non-visible disabilities, and that does appear to be the general consensus at the disability conferences too. Fortunately conferences provide the opportunity to drive UNISON business in the direction that the members decide, and I would encourage attendance if at all possible. It truly is the voice of the members.

It was at one of the disabled conferences that I met a representative from the then LGBT self-organised group (SOG). This individual was a bisexual member. I have never hidden my bisexuality, but I also have never been ‘out and proud’ so to speak. It was on her urging that I attended the South East Region LGBT AGM, and before I knew it I was on the committee, and then nominated to represent the South East Region on the National LGBT Committee. It’s been a whirlwind, but the most rewarding whirlwind you can imagine. None more so than when we got the National Delegate Conference (NDC) to prioritise and vote to have our SOG renamed as LGBT+. It is hoped that this will show we are developing our inclusivity, and acknowledging that changing social attitudes result in changing identities, all of which are valid.

I am very proud to be a UNISON representative, supporting members regardless of their identity, and championing the rights of workers. I would encourage everyone to identify themselves to the organisation as disabled, LGBT+, BAME, or any other identity, where you are confident to do so. This is so the force can support you, and we can ensure that the force understands its diverse workforce, and its responsibilities to that workforce.

Together we are stronger.