Life-changing bonds

In Part 4 of our Heart Unions week series, UNITELive speaks to Michelle, a transgender member, who explains how the union gave her the support she needed through her transition — both in and out of the workplace.

Michelle Winstanley has been a trade union member for decades – she first joined the EETPU, which went through a series of mergers that eventually became part of Unite.

 
But it wasn’t until only a few years ago that Michelle, who is transgender, became a more involved member of the union.

 
“It was around the time that I was going through my transition about five or six years ago,” she explained. “I found out by chance that Unite had an LGBT equalities committee and I decided to dip my toe in to find out what exactly it was all about.”

 
It was at this moment, Michelle noted, that her relationship to the union strengthened.

 
“Attending that first meeting, it felt incredible to speak to others who understood what I was going through. They were really kind and genuine people, and the help I got was immense.”

 
She then became an ardent LGBT activist through both Unite and the TUC, first in Unite’s North West regional branch and then eventually on a national level. She also helps organise national Pride events.

 
Many people are not aware of all the obstacles that transgender people must confront in the workplace.

They can face harassment and discrimination. They may have trouble getting medical leave during their transition. They can be forced to wear clothing or use toilet facilities that go against the gender they identify with.

 
But Michelle explained that her transition was a relatively easy one thanks to union support.

 
“I’d been working for the same employer, a logistics company, for about 26 years before I started my transition,” she said.

 
“So you can imagine I was quite nervous about how it would all work out. But I went to plenty of union meetings beforehand and spoke to people who were going through the same things. Just talking to people really helped.”

 
“The main issue in my workplace – as it is with many transgender people – was using the toilets,” she noted. “But my union official was fantastic and worked with the employer to help me through the transition. They briefed work colleagues, and while initially there were some complaints about me using the female toilets, that eventually stopped.”

 
“I was very lucky,” Michelle noted.

 
“Unite truly has equality at the heart of the union,” she added.

 
More than anything, Michelle explained, it’s the friends she’s made through the union that she’s most grateful for.

 
“The bonds I’ve made are truly life-changing,” she said. “Many people are hesitant to join the union because they think, well, you have to pay too much,” she added. “But if you really engage and take part – it’s worth every penny.”