CHAMPIONS IN SCOTLAND
Ayr - James McCahill Unite
I am 47 married with 2 kids who
have both graduated from uni 1 in physiotherapy the other in occupational
therapy. I have been at B.A.E, SYSTEMS for about 23 years. I have always
taken an interest in fairness and equality and being slightly disabled
myself I think I understand the problems a bit more than others
I am looking forward to the challenges that lie
ahead and contacting other DC`s. I have to own up and say that I have not
started my training yet but there a few distractions as we as a company are
being sold off and as deputy convenor I am quite heavily involved. Have no
fear though I will complete my task.
If you require any further info do not
hesitate to ask. I forgot to say that my disability is Vibration White
Finger and I have some info on this subject which I hope to forward on, as
my other disability is computers and spelling.
Bathgate - Andy Sharp Unite
Unite National Disabled Members' Committee
Carluke - Helen Newlands Unison
Coatbridge - Linda Johnston Unison
Cowdenbeath - Ralph Balfour Unison
Crieff - Malcolm Anderson Unite
I have been employed by the Ministry of Defence for over twenty seven years and have been a member of Unite since the early 80's. In 2000 I took over the role of Unite Convener for the Almondbank site and have had a few years as the Secretary before that. So I guess I have picked up a bit of experience representing my members on a number of issues. However, until recently my involvement in representing disabled members has been limited and therefore I feel that this is an area which I require further training/advice/guidance.
I believe the disability champions training will help me to successfully represent disabled members and ensure they are treated fairly and equitably, and in accordance with the law.
Cumbernauld - Alan Chapman Unison
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As I am a deaf worker (or should I say hard or hearing?!) I thought I'd like to get involved and come on the training course. |
Cumbernauld - Elaine Grubb Unison
Dumbarton - Grace Wardrop CWU
I'll be doing my training at Stow college. I was nominated by the workplace union reps. Being a Disability Champion looks like a challenging and satisfying role
Dundee - Debbie Clarke PCS
My branch informed me about this course. I want to ensure that there are people in my union and workplace that are more experienced in this area as we are dealing with more and more disability issues.
Dundee - Jim Devine PCS
My Union Learning Co-ordinator told me about this course. Having been involved in H&S issues where disability issues have overlapped this is a natural extention, gaining knowlege, contacts and sharing views to assist in representing members.
Dundee - Susan McLaren Unison
Dundee - Tony Sneddon CWU
Dundee - Alan Tait PCS
Dundee - Kenny Watson PCS
East Kilbride - Tom Coll Unison
Edinburgh - David Hop BECTU
Edinburgh - Tara Lillis NASUWT
Edinburgh - Helen Smailes Prospect
Elgin - Steve McBean Unite
My name is Steve McBean, 37 years old Married with 3 children living in Elgin Moray. I work for FR Aviation Services Ltd, working at RAF Kinloss carrying out maintenance on Nimrod Aircraft for BAE Systems and the Royal Air Force.
I am the Unite Convener on site an also a Health and Safety Rep. We have just set up an SNVQ Training Centre on site and I am also an assessor.
I attended the Glasgow Meeting and did not know what to expect, but it opened my eyes to what a disability is. I have a handicapped Brother-in-law and have seen the metalwork he can produce, it is better than many able bodied tradesmen. He can not read, write or use numbers.
I have signed up to be a champion, Because it looks like a good way to help me in my union duties being so far north.I handed out some leaflets at the Moray trades union council meeting an hope we can get some more Champions in this area.
Forfar - Alan Valentine PCS
I’m doing the course at Dundee College. I found out about it through our Branch Learning co-ordinator and got involved due to a high prevalence of disability discrimination within my work place; I have dealt with many personal cases that involve disabled members of staff. Employers need to start following the Social model of Disability and ensure that they make adjustments to prevent the working environment negatively impacting on disabled members of staff.
Glasgow - Abdul Aziz Ahmed NASUWT
Glasgow - David Armstrong Unite
Glasgow - Russell Bishop Unison
Glasgow - Alan Brown Unison
Glasgow - Piers Doughty-Brown CWU
Glasgow - Aileen Duncan Unison
Glasgow - Dennis Fallen Unite
Glasgow - David Grant Unison
Glasgow - John Heaney GMB
Glasgow - Debra Hicks Unison
Glasgow - Mae Johnston Unison
Glasgow - James McGowan Unite
Glasgow - Fiona McNeill Unison
Glasgow - Anne McPake EIS
Glasgow - Stephen Merchant Unite
I have been involved in Health, Safety and Well Being for over 20 years, as both a trade union safety rep and a chartered Health and Safety Professional. The main area of interest for me with regards to disability is Mental Health, which I feel is largely neglected at present time by most employers and organisations. I feel the "Disability Champion" provides a great opportUnite to take forward all the issues surrounding disability. Additionally it will be invaluable for everyone to share information and experiences.
Glasgow - Alex Miller FBU
I found out about this from my colleague Pat Hampsey who is our rep. Retention and recruitment of firefighters with a disability is now a common occurrence within the fire service and I feel that its our duty as a union and a rep to offer the best advice and support we can, it’s going to be challenging.
Glasgow - Heather Muirhead Unison
Glasgow - Peter O'Hara T&G
Glasgow - Angela Paton Unite
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I am an Unite Safety Rep and a grants officer with the Big Lottery Fund. I have been involved in equalities for fifteen years and in health and safety for five. I have noted the lack of understanding at work for those disabilities concerning mental health.
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Employers and workers alike tend to think only of physical disability because they can see that. I'd also like to see that more than lip service or assumptions are made for all disabled people, regardless of their disability.
Yours, in solidarity,
Glasgow - Gordon Simpson Unison
Glasgow - Robert Torbet Unite
Glasgow - James Walker T&G
Glasgow - Maureen Watson EIS
Glasgow - Steve Whitehall Unison
Glasgow - Ann Whitton CWU
Greenock - Tom Doig POA
Inverurie - Andrew Mitchell-Moore CWU
Irvine - Jim Curran Unite
Irvine - Gina Hay SSTA
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I’m currently chair of the STUC Disabled Workers' Committee and have been involved in disability issues most of my working life.
I’m very impressed with the way the course was presented and the issues it raises. Even although I consider myself knowledgeable on disability issues there were things introduced which I was unaware of.
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Lanark - Henry Kilgour EIS
As a multi-establishment Learning Representative i have always been interested in supporting collegues gain access to required training. I want to extend this to include access to resources, etc that will allow all staff to have equal opportunities.
Lanark - Rhona Paterson Unison
Larkhall - Lesley Jurczyk Unison
Lesmahagow - Patrick Hampsey FBU
Leven, Fife - Iain Brown GMB
I became a champion in order to try and make working conditions and perseptions of disabled people better. I did my training online with East Riding College.
Motherwell - Jim France Unison
Motherwell - Deanne Wardrope NASUWT
Motherwell - Debbie Welsh GMB
Perth - Jock Munro FBU
I became a Disability Champion to learn more about what I can do to assist members with disabilities in their daily working life. By raising awareness and tackling the issues head on I would like to think there is more I could do. At present I assist members as problems arise, but at times that is too late and becomes a bigger fight. I would like to be more proactive and solve problems before they become a bigger issue. My main interest is with Mental Health.
Perth - John Oswald PCS
I did the course in Dundee. I want to defend the terms, conditions and jobs of members in my branch of PCS.
Rosyth - Diane Bett Unite
I am currently working as an HR Adviser for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency, although having worked in Human Resources for six years I have not been directly involved with disabled members of staff until joining DARA.
Although I feel I have supported disabled colleagues to the best of my ability, as an HR practitioner I am keen to support the Disability Champions at work project and look forward to increasing my knowledge through the training provided by the project.
South Queensferry - Hillary Kirstine PCS
Stirling - Dawn McIlwraith Unison
I became a disability Champion in order to raise the awareness of the day-to-day diffculties disabled people tackle and to raise the profile of the need to resolve these issues and give us the rights and respect we all deserve. I want to learn and share that info to all. Access for All people should be standard practice. We all deserve to live our lives to their full potential in all areas.
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