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| Kathleen Kennedy |
As well as moving the ATUC motion Kathleen spoke in three other debates.
She said, “It was a sheer delight to be there participating on behalf of the North East of Scotland.
She said, “It was a sheer delight to be there participating on behalf of the North East of Scotland.
“Throughout the conference, there was a lot of enthusiasm
that was infectious and you could see how everyone was willing to take part and
encouraged each other to do so.
“As disability and work related issues is one of my
specialist areas I was determined to take part.”
The ATUC motion called on the STUC to
look at giving additional speaking time to people with communication
disabilities at STUC conferences and to encourage other affiliated unions to do
this also.
Kathleen said, “This is something that I am very passionate about as I have noticed in many conferences I have attended that I am sometimes the only person or one of only a few people with a communication disability speaking. I felt it was very important that we encourage and enable more people with communication disabilities to feel able to take part.”
Kathleen said, “This is something that I am very passionate about as I have noticed in many conferences I have attended that I am sometimes the only person or one of only a few people with a communication disability speaking. I felt it was very important that we encourage and enable more people with communication disabilities to feel able to take part.”
The motion was approved and was put to the STUC Disabled
Workers Committee to implement.
Kathleen also spoke in support of three other motions:
1) Mandatory
Disability Awareness Training
“In supporting the motion I spoke on an experience I had had
with a taxi driver, thinking I had been drunk and refusing to take me. Ironically,
I had not had any alcohol but he did not listen - another taxi driver took me
home! I was amazed just many other delegates could relate to this story! It
just illustrates how important Mandatory Disability Awareness Training is for
every worker.”
2) Workplace Injuries
and Disability
“I supported this motion to show that the cutbacks in Health
and Safety officers make a huge different to all workers but more to a disabled
worker. Simple things, for example if your computer is under the desk and your
phone or mouse etc needs plugged into it, can be an accident just waiting to
happen as if there is a cable hanging down someone less steady of their feet
could easily catch their feet in it and fall. Therefore, Health & Safety
reps are so important!”
3) Promotion of
Disabled Workers
“When I spoke in support of this motion, I opened with the
question 'Just what is promotion?' I explain how despite having a degree and
several other qualifications I am so often told I do not meet the minimum
criteria as I do not have good communications - despite being a public speaker!
It makes me laugh!”
Kathleen added, “I thoroughly enjoyed this conference and
felt we managed to discuss many important issues throughout.
Kathleen was elected unopposed to the Trade Union Council seat on the STUC
Disabled Workers Committee and was also elected unopposed to the STUC Congress
as one of two reps from the conference.
NAE BAD FOR THE ABERDEENSHIRE LASS REPRESENTING THE ATUC!