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Marie scoops Trade Union's Equality for All AwardMarie Pearson, HMRC Learning Co-ordinator with The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has won this year's Trade Union Equality for All Award at the North East Equality Awards held on Friday 23rd October 2009 at The Gateshead Hilton Hotel. The award, which was sponsored by TUC Northern and unionlearn, recognises the contributions made in the workplace to break down barriers and help everyone reach their full potential. Marie has worked tirelessly to champion underrepresented groups in the workplace including those who are often excluded because of their sexuality, gender, age or ethnicity. Her efforts have also helped reach out to those employees who work part-time or have caring responsibilities to increase their profile within the workplace and the trade union as a whole. She has also been instrumental in promoting PCS equality networks as well as working tirelessly on an anti-racism campaign, helping to run an Anne Frank exhibition to raise awareness around the impact of racism and the threat of the BNP. There were two runners up for this award; the first was Patrick McCourt, a Unite rep working at Mears Group Plc in Newton Aycliffe . Pat, who has been a Shop Steward for 15 years, is also a Union Learning Representative. As a long standing trade union member and activist, Pat has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to trade union values with equality and diversity at their core. He has worked on anti-racism campaigns to prevent BNP candidates from achieving political influence in his local community and has also ensured equality of access to learning opportunities for under-represented groups, leading to individuals achieving recognised qualifications and increasing their chances in life. The second runner up was The Learning Styles Project which promotes learning, health and wellbeing for City of Sunderland employees. The project aims to be inclusive and to enrich the wider community. Howard Fawcett and the Union Learning Representative on the project focused activity around supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace through access to learning and setting up 'HELP' (Health Education and Learning Places) rooms. Several Union Learning Representatives have now trained as health advocates, promoting healthy living and access to health screenings and over 350 people have benefited from the project so far. Elizabeth Killoran , unionlearn Regional Manager, said: 'TUC Northern and unionlearn are delighted to be a North East Equality Awards sponsor this year and to be able to recognise the fantastic work which is taking place across the region in organisations and by individuals who are ensuring that best practice is being followed and robust programmes and procedures are in place to provide equality for all. Representing workers who are disadvantaged is a fundamental element of trade union philosophy. 'All three shortlisted for this award would have been worthy winners but congratulations to Marie who truly has made equality her mission and who has achieved so much within PCS and her place of work.' NOTES TO EDITORS: - All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk - Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet Contacts: Media enquiries : Elizabeth Killoran, unionlearn Regional Manager, T: 01912323175 E: ekilloran@tuc.org.uk Press release (600 words) issued 26 Oct 2009  As 13 Million Miss out on Training, TUC Deputy General Secretary says “Make Britain more equal - Let Workers Learn” TUC's unionlearn and Versa call on employers to work with unions to increase apprenticeships among black and minority ethnic communities Northern TUC welcomes a 'hands on' approach to the new Equality Act |
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