- Conference
- 2016 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 13 October 2015
- Decision
- Carried
UNISON is a union of over 1 million women members.
Due to the government’s austerity measures over the last 5 years many of these will have seen their standard of living fall and many will be living in poverty.
Researchers show that by moving from a minimum wage to a living wage 4.8 million women nationally could see their income raised by 4 billion pounds according to the Trussell Trust.
They also say that over a period of the last three years 2012-2015 the number of people attending food banks for emergency support has tripled from 346,992 to 1,084,604. In one year 20,247,047 meals were given to people in poverty and at the same time women were having to decide whether to heat or eat, or to go without in order to feed her children and pay debts.
We call upon the National Women’s Committee (NWC) to work with all relevant bodies including UNISON’s Labour Link and NEC to renew and increase their efforts in the campaign for Living Wage for low paid workers and a decent pay increase for all workers in line with the cost of living.
We also ask that the NWC work with the board of trustees for UNISON There for You to ensure that all members are aware of the help and support that is available and where needed help with applications.
Furthermore we request the NWC work with UNISON’s Labour Link to campaign alongside the Labour Party to tackle the impact of austerity on Women.
