- Conference
- 2018 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 27 September 2017
- Decision
- Carried
More than half of UNISONs women members meet the criteria in terms of being classed as low paid however these women are not always represented throughout our union structures.
Women make up three quarters of the union’s membership yet this figure does not translate when looking at senior positions – 49% of Branch Secretaries are held by men and 54 % of Chairs positions are held by men. The figure of how many positions held by women that are classed as low paid is unclear. There still are social, cultural and institutional barriers that we must overcome to ensure that low paid women feel able to fully participate in their union.
Fragmented workforces are often blamed as to why organising amongst this group of members is hard and with more women employed within care services, schools, catering and cleaning than any other occupation it is true to state that organising amongst this group is difficult however this should not stop branches or regions as seeing this as key area of work.
It is acknowledged that as a union it is enshrined within our rules that there must be proportionality in all our structures there are rightly reserved women seats and reserved low paid women seats, in our service groups, council and committees this proportionality is also required however low paid women members are not always represented. Often branches struggle to find a low paid women member to attend conferences or hold seats at regional meetings, why is this the case?
Organising amongst Low paid women members must be a priority as they represent 58% of the union’s membership, the new guidance – Getting the balance right published by UNISON in 2017 is very useful toolkit for branches and regions to use.
Organising around an issue often makes it easier to engage with members and there have been successful campaigns throughout the union targeting low pay and highlighting the impact this has. Lifting those 58% of members out of low pay must be a key part of any organising model.
Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to:
Encourage Branches to carry out a mapping exercise in relation to Low paid women members,
Produce material specifically targeted at Low paid Women that encourages them to become active within the union,
Encourage Regions and Branches to use the ‘Getting the balance Right Toolkit to ensure proportionality is met.