We’re back with the next instalment of our ‘Five Questions With…’ series, where we’re hearing from LGBT+ members in the Yorkshire and Humberside region to mark UNISON’s Year of LGBT+ workers. Today it’s Michael…
Who are you?
My name is Michael Austin and I am the Branch Chair of Leeds Beckett University UNISON.
What do you do for a job?
I work in a community organising role, supporting student communities to build their collective power in order to deliver meaningful changes on topics of shared interest within both the university and local community.
How did you get involved with UNISON?
I got involved with UNISON back in 2010 when our former Branch Secretary invited me to attend the National LGBT+ Conference in Glasgow. My experience and the things that I learnt then encouraged me to become a UNISON Steward in my workplace where I’ve increased membership density to a consistent 50-60% of colleagues. I have also previously been a member of UNISON’s National LGBT+ Committee, representing and supporting the Yorkshire & Humberside LGBT+ self-organised group to win the National Organising Award in two consecutive years.
How important do you think UNISON’s 2024 Year of LGBT+ Workers is?
The Year of LGBT+ Workers is important to me because, even today, LGBT+ discrimination is still present in workplaces and in wider society with a particular rise in biphobia and transphobia, and public figures and politicians inciting culture wars to turn communities against each other. Hard won rights are at risk of being eroded and the trade union movement has an important part to play in bringing people together to build positive relationships, finding common ground and empowering all members to win social and political change.
What would make the year a success for you?
Seeing every UNISON branch take at least one action to drive improvements to workplace experiences for LGBT+ workers, every branch attending local Pride events in their area and every branch sending at least one delegate to the 2024 National LGBT+ Conference in November, would make the year a success for me.
