A Woman Trade Union Member writes...

As a woman trade union member, I am often the only woman at trade union meetings where a lot of jargon is used that I am not familiar with.  I am constantly struggling to put forward women's issues in the trade union movement and frustrated by difficulties in getting information from experienced trade union organisers who so often don't make it their business to pass information on to enable me to be the most effective.  I spent a huge amount of time and work to get a resolution passed at annual conference calling for the Child Support Act to be scrapped.  My union never promoted this position and very soon afterwards changed its position and no longer supports the scrapping of this Act.
I am supporting the Global Women's Strike with a demand that trade unions recognise women's contribution to the work of trade unions; that trade unions use the term "unwaged workers" instead of "unemployed workers" as it is a more accurate and strengthening description; that childcare is made available to women and men trade unionists for all trade union meetings; that trade unions give free membership to unwaged workers; and that trade unions actively call for welfare benefits to be called a wage as a recognition of all the unwaged work that people on benefit do.   
Patricia, Manchester

Trade Unionists around the world speak out in support of the Global Women’s Strike

Endorse a 2-hour lunch break for women

HOME