Equality laws stay intact despite union opposition

Trade
unions have failed in their bid to have the Government’s new employment
equality regulations declared unlawful on the grounds they discriminate against
homosexuals.

They
complained the regulations allow discrimination in employment by religious
organisations, and pensions where benefits can be restricted to married
partners.

Lawyers
for the unions – including Amicus, Unison, PCS and the RMT – claimed this could
prevent a lesbian from working in a religious bookshop or a homosexual man
employed as a cleaner and handling religious artefacts.

But
lawyers for the Government argued the exception had a very narrow scope and it
was unlikely any of these examples would be sustainable in practice.

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The
TUC said the decision was "very disappointing" and that no-one should
be treated differently at work because of their sexuality.

By Mike Berry