Paul Conrathe, the right-wing Christian lawyer who has spearheaded legal cases against both abortion and trans rights, and whose firm acted for Stephen Flaherty, has written to the TUC following the Flaherty vs Unison decision by the Certification Officer, calling on the TUC to ensure that all affiliated Unions uphold “sex-based rights” in their elections.
The decision found Unison out of order for allowing a trans woman to stand for a “women’s” position (which she didn’t win), and implies banning all trans-inclusive women’s conferences or committees.
Unison’s own response is not to challenge the judgment. “We will take the time to work through the implications with our democratic structures, consult with relevant members and groups, and determine the most appropriate way forward. Unison remains committed to campaigning to change the law to reflect our policy and understanding that trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary identities exist.”
Conrathe’s letter to the TUC says “This should not be left to individual disputes. A movement-wide review would promote legal certainty, good governance and confidence that unions are applying the law as it now clearly stands.”
The TUC have said that they “will give careful consideration to the ruling of the Certification Officer and its implication for our affiliate unions, and we will continue to engage with our unions on this matter.”
Hardly a combative approach to a hard-right campaign to disrupt the self-organisation of women in the trade union movement! Urgent pressure should be put on the TUC to defend women’s self-organisation and to fight to defend trans rights in the labour movement.
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