- Conference
- 2018 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 27 September 2017
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that despite more than three quarters of UNISON’s members being women, there is no rule book post of branch women’s officer. While it is acknowledged that there is capacity to create a branch women’s officer post this is optional, and it is apparent that many branches are choosing to opt out, rather than in.
Conference further notes that despite UNISON’s rule book commitment to proportionality, women remain under-represented in the senior posts in our union, with only 51% of branch secretaries, 46% of branch chairs and 53% of stewards being women, compared to women’s membership of 77%.
Conference believes that the defined role of branch women’s officer is critical to encourage greater participation of women at all levels of our union, and the absence of the role sends an unfortunate message to our women members.
Conference notes that national women’s conference has the right to submit two motions or rule amendments to national delegate conference each year. Conference therefore agrees that, should this motion be carried, a rule change be submitted to national delegate conference 2018 seeking the amendment of Rule 4.1.1 to include the specific role of branch women’s officer.
In this event, conference further urges regional women’s committees, forums and networks to lobby branches and regions in support of the rule amendment prior to national delegate conference.