PCS tells transgender women they must use men's toilets at annual conference

[IwantToRetire]

Trade union bosses have been hit by a furious backlash at their annual conference after telling transgender women they must use men’s toilets.

Leaders of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) had previously claimed the equality watchdog’s guidance in the light of the Supreme Court ruling on single-sex services was ‘not fit for purpose’ and ‘damaging’.

They had promised just last month to support ‘trans and non-binary members [who] will be facing worry and uncertainty following the judgement’.

But on the eve of the PCS’s annual conference in Brighton this week, the same union bosses warned delegates they risk breaking the law if they do not use the correct lavatories.

They acknowledged the ‘strength of feeling’ generated by the judgment - which declared that the definition of a woman is down to biological sex rather than gender identity - but added they had a ‘duty to act in accordance’ with equality law.

General Secretary Fran Heathcote and President Martin Cavanagh wrote in a statement to all those attending the event: ‘It is important to remember that, irrespective of our personal views, any breach of the Equality Act 2010 may give rise to legal liability and, on that basis, we ask all delegates to use the facilities in accordance with the above.’

They added that the Brighton Centre provides ‘toilets for everyone’ as well as separate male and female lavatories so they were confident that the venue ‘provides the appropriate range of facilities’.

Full story https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14735203/Trade-union-backlash-transgender-toilets-conference.html

‘It is important to remember that, irrespective of our personal views, any breach of the Equality Act 2010 may give rise to legal liability and, on that basis, we ask all delegates to use the facilities in accordance with the above.’

Just shows how outrageous the position of the HoC is.

Good. Women's loos are for biological women.

And of course, there's a woman who encountered a man in her toilets, told him he wasn't allowed and he laughed at her. I hope that shes:

a) reported him to the organisers
and
b) been taken seriously.

There's absolutely no way on Earth that he didn't know; he was definitely making a point. Tosser.

Finally, a reason to be pleased with my union! All I need now is my workplace to follow suit, they have been utterly silent on this issue.

The comments are all supportive of women. Many people wondering why, if there are gender neutral facilities, the men insist on using the women's.

One female union member complained to the Brighton Centre: ‘On the first day, I encountered males in the female toilets on the first floor. When challenged one male made it clear he felt it appropriate for him to be in the female toilets (despite there being all access/gender neutral toilets immediately available) and insisted he will continue to use them. I told him this amounted to sexual harassment and he laughed.’

The gloves are so off. Everyone can now see what is going on.

The men have been told, if they refuse to obey, then the next step is to arrest them for harassment.

At least this way, the union have avoided being sued, I'm guessing? As long as they follow through on ejecting the men

Of course they should use the men’s loos - they’re men.

Bloody brilliant. Well done General Secretary Fran Heathcote and President Martin Cavanagh. Fingers crossed it gets enforced

Although they call it a ‘sick segregationist interpretation’, the fact is they still want segregation, just based on identity not on sex.

If they’re worried that using the ‘toilets for everyone’ will ‘other’ them, this is an excellent opportunity for trans allies to show their solidarity by using them too.

Well done them, more balls than Labour.

If there are additional mixed sex facilities there and available then the general public are going to realise what the fuss is about. And no, men are not more important than women, and their wishes don't trump women's actual needs as well as their wishes. Time this group of men did a bit of respect, kindness and live and letting live for a change.

I was encouraged yesterday to hear Baroness Faulkner's comments about the need for respect. Respect for law, for other people, for their legal protections and equalities: this is where it needs to go.

'I insist on anti social behaviour and trampling other people's provisions because I wanna' is not 'stunning and brave' in any way. It's a very different bit of PR.

I was at a women's conference at the Brighton centre a couple of years ago. The gender neutral loos are right next to the single sex ones. There's no excuse - if you've found the ladies, you've also found the gender neutral loos.

(Despite it being a women's conference with hardly any men in the building, I didn't see any women use the neutral facilities..)

This is my old union. I've been pretty disappointed with a lot they've done recently. But I actually think their statement here is good. It's calm, factual and it puts the onus firmly on the delegates to do the correct thing.

‘It is important to remember that, irrespective of our personal views, any breach of the Equality Act 2010 may give rise to legal liability and, on that basis, we ask all delegates to use the facilities in accordance with the above.’

Link thread about TRAs holding the PCS conference to ransom
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5339805-pcs-silencers-debate-in-supreme-court-ruling-after-taking-legal-advice

Fgs why don’t they just make a third toilet category?!

There is provision. They don’t want to use it.

Then people have to start asking why the TRA's don't want to use it and start joining up the dots.

I’m fully supportive of this.

PCS do seem to have taken a decision to ride out all the tantrums and follow the law.

I’m willing to bet there was no backlash

Yes, but isn't it case of of them being dragged into it, kicking and screaming?

If they continue to uphold the law, and Prospect remain silent, I may change over to PCS.