STUC Equality Award

The objective of the STUC Equality Award is to highlight the positive difference union reps can make in the workplace. We aim to recognise an individual or group who has made a difference, and who brings energy, enthusiasm and new ideas to promoting equality and tackling discrimination.

2026 Equality Award

The 2026 STUC Equality Award will take place during STUC Congress 2026 (20-22 April 2026) at Caird Hall, Dundee.

The nomination form and guidance are available to download from the ‘Related Resources’ section of this page, namely:

Nominations should be received no later than Friday, 6 February 2026, please send the completed interactive PDF nomination form(s) with the details of your nominees to info@stuc.org.uk.

2025 Equality Award

The recipient of the STUC Equality Award 2025 was Gina Gwenffrewi, a member of University and College Union Scotland (UCU Scotland). The award was presented by First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer at the 2025 STUC Congress in Dundee on 28^th April. This year the award was sponsored by STUC Campaigns.

Gina first got active with UCU Scotland as a PhD student in 2019, speaking at an event organised by the University of Edinburgh on Transgender Day of Visibility.

In 2022, Gina was elected as the first UCU LGBT+ Officer in her branch.

2024 Equality Award

The recipients of the 2024 STUC Equality Award are three women who, with the full backing of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU), are breaking new ground in the battle to rid the Fire and Rescue Service of discrimination and creating a work culture which is open to all, irrespective of gender or race. Working in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), FBU reps Rachel Rogers, Kerry McCrone and Seona Hart are campaigning for lasting change.

This year the award was sponsored by TUC Education in Scotland and presented by First Minister Humza Yousaf at the 2024 STUC Congress Dundee on 16th April.

2023 Equality Award

Pharmacy student and union activist, Soh Xi Ken of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA), received the STUC Equality Award at the STUC Annual Congress in Dundee. The award recognised Xi Ken’s tireless advocacy for furthering the rights of members of the LGBT+ and Black and Minority Ethnic members of the PDA.

Xi Ken was integral to the launch of an Equality network within the PDA, with the main goal of the committee being to increase levels of diversity and inclusion within the pharmaceutical industry. Xi Ken is keen to increase knowledge and awareness of the fact that LGBT+ patients may have their own unique needs or their own specific health inequalities whilst under pharmacy care. Xi Ken has also been open about the racial discrimination he faced during his time as a pharmacy student at university.

2022 Equality Award

Iona Fyfe being presented the STUC Equality Award 2022 by the First Minister at STUC Congress

Scots’ folk singer and union activist, Iona Fyfe of the Musicians' Union, received the STUC Equality Award at the STUC Annual Congress in Aberdeen. The award recognised Iona’s tireless advocacy for fairness within the industry, highlighting her personal experience of exploitation and sexual harassment.

Speaking bravely about her experiences, Iona works hard to encourage women and men in the music industry to also stand up and call out discriminatory behaviours which are prevalent within the sector.

Commenting, Iona added “It’s a great privilege to have received the STUC Equality Award with all praise and gratitude going to my colleagues within the Musicians’ Union”

Earlier entries »