Equal Opportunities

The CWU is committed to pursuing Equality of Opportunity for all its members.

Rule 2 of the CWU includes the statement
'To actively oppose all forms of discrimination based on race, creed, religion, age, political affiliation, disability, marital status, sex or sexual or gender orientation in industry, the union and society in general. To this end the CWU shall actively oppose any organisation, political or otherwise, whose aims are racist or fascist.'

The Equal Opportunities Department was established when the CWU came into being and there are four Advisory Committees established which are looked after by the Equal Opportunities department, dealing with areas of potential discrimination. These are the names of the committees along with their free newsletters available on request, or via the CWU website Equality pages at

Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) - WACtalk
Race Advisory Committee (RAC) - Drum
Lesbian & Gay, BiSexual and Transgender Advisory Committee (LGBTAC) - OUTtalk
Disability & Special Needs Advisory Committee (DSNAC) Disability in Focus

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for any of the above publications or would like to speak to a member of any of the advisory committees they can be contact through the Equal Opportunities Department on 020 8971 7238 or email Michelle Emerson memerson@cwu.org or Alan Crisp acrisp@cwu.org

Alternatively contact the branch office or speak to the branch Equality Officer - in confidence - on 01743 275808 or email Sharon Davies at sharon.e.davies@bt.com .

If you think you have been discriminated against at work on the grounds of an equality issue then you may have the right under the various discrimination Acts and Regulations to take your employer to the employment tribunal.

To discuss any issues of discrimination in confidence please contact the CWU for advice by the method you feel most comfortable with. This could be the branch office, your local committee member/workplace rep, the Equality Officer or the Equal Opportunities Department at Head Office. All contact details are displayed on the website.

There is also a CWU Harassment Hotline 0800 107 1909

The Equal Opportunities department has produced the following leaflets, which are available to download via the CWU site Newsletters / leaflets page

Domestic Violence
Gay & Lesbian Rights
Harassment
Parental Rights
Racial Harassment
Transsexualism.