The UNISONs National Womens Conference was held recently in Bournemouth, and two of our officers attended the event on behalf of the Branch, you can read Eleanor O’Dwyer Branch Women’s Officer’s report here, and Janice Chapman, Retired Members Officer report here
There was a lot of emotive subjects and motions discussed during the conference, and also Janice reports on an interesting conversation she had along with Eleanor, with a male taxi driver who didn’t realise the workplace issues that women faced and questioned if there was a conference for men ? I am pleased to report that by the end of the taxi journey, the taxi driver was more educated on the issues that his family and friends may be facing and how he could help and support them in the future.
Examples of discussions and motions were:
- Domestic Violence
- The impact of the cost of living crisis on women
- Sexual Harassment
- Improving Menstrual health
- Promoting positive Mental Health
- Menopause policy in the workplace
- Maternity Issues
- Gender Pay Gap
- Bullying
- Disability
- LGBTQ+
- Financial Hardship
Tomorrow (8 March 2023) is International Women’s Day, a day that honours women of past, present and future generations who have fought for change in gender quality and celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women. UNISON will continue to campaign to make the workplace a better place for all women. UNISON have put together a time line of some key dates for women and the trade union movement Women and trade unions | Magazine, moving | News | UNISON National
More information on the conference can be found here Women’s conference calls for stronger sexual harassment policies in the workplace | Article, News | News | UNISON National
If you would like to be more involved within the branch, please do get in touch either by email, UNISON@barnardos.org.uk or telephone 0800 9549915.