- Conference
- 2010 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 19 October 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Much is happening in the trade union world about women.
For example, in October 2009 the International Trade Union Confederation held a conference entitled “Decent Work, Decent Life for Women”. 450 women trade unionists from 100 countries discussed women’s issues; formulated strategies and collaborated on campaigns.
UNISON’s International Committee does fantastic work to build alliances and work collaboratively with trade unions around the world. At the last National Delegates Conference in June 2009 representatives from Cuba; France; Brazil; Spain and the USA attended. In addition the International department continues to encourage branches and regions to twin with South African trade unions.
In previous years National Women’s Conference has benefited from international visitors from Canada, Zimbabwe and this year from New Jersey, USA.
However despite this sterling work, women’s self organisation has not yet fully utilised the opportunities that ongoing and regular global networking of women trade unionists can offer.
Conference believes that women’s organisations still weald too little political power.
Conference believes that in order to increase the voice and influence of women; for women to truly engage and learn about our global sister’s challenges and opportunities; to share our expertise and learn from others, trade union women need a global accessible forum that is more than isolated visits to conferences. There needs to be real and meaningful sharing of information amongst trade union women.
Conference instructs the National Women’s Committee to:
1)Research links with existing global women’s organisations such as the International Trade Union Confederation Women’s Committee, the European Trade Union Confederation, and Public Services International.
2)Find out where UNISON women already have links with trade union women beyond our shores and find ways to support and build these links.
3)Research other possible avenues with the key objective to establish an ongoing global women’s trade union network.
4)Report back to Women’s Conference 2011.