Observation On A Recent Equality & Diversity Course

Having recently attended the latest Equality & Diversity Course held at the Elstead Hotel in Bournemouth as an observer in March I was taken aback by how well the attendees on the course handled themselves. We had a mix from our local Branch that covered Winton, Alder Hills and Poole but also Bridport, New Milton and Weymouth. It was staggering to see that our CWU Representatives were all pretty conversant across the board with Equality & Diversity issues and are making a real attempt to not only understand these issues but also to put them into practice. After recent complaints about attendees from other Branches behaviour (From two separate Courses and two separate Branches) it's refreshing that members from our own area Branch are making a positive stand and enhancing the workplace by refusing to indulge in these misguided attitudes and indeed improving the situation by giving the message that it's "Equality For All". Not only do we bolster up the dignity of others we can hopefully engender a better experience for everyone with their local CWU Branch that may make people think twice; so that they feel comfortable raising issues with their local Union Rep, if they feel that a better understanding of a variety of issues is currently being tackled 'out in the field' so to speak? The informal atmosphere created I think is a positive tool that can be used in all situations to defuse many a problematic scenario that may 'kick off' over many a minor incidence and instead of resulting in Formal paperwork can be informally dealt with, with a quiet reassuring word instead of that negative Bull-In-A-China-Shop approach that seems so endemic nowadays.