Home care workers

Conference congratulates the local government service group on the work they are doing to improve working conditions for home care workers, and the production of the Ethical Care Charter. The issues facing these workers are well recognised – low pay, unpaid hours, unpaid travel time, unpaid sickness absence, unrealistic mileage rates, short client visits etc. […]

Supporting the women victims of stalking

According to the British Crime Survey there are approximately 120,000 predominantly vulnerable female victims of stalking each year; however less than half of these cases are recorded as crimes. Research in 2011 found that stalking is not fully recognised by criminal justice professionals and too often stalking goes unreported. When it is reported there is […]

Food Banks

Conference notes that in 2012, the national women’s committee brought a motion to conference highlighting the resurgence of food banks across the UK. At that time, it was reported that in September 2011, 130 food banks were feeding up to 100,000 people. It is shocking to note that the Trussell Trust now has 400 food […]

WOMEN UNDER ATTACK

Women are bearing the brunt of cuts from both the UK Government and our locally elected devolved institutions. In Northern Ireland alone, changes in welfare benefits may result in the loss of £500 million from our budget over the next four years. It is clear that women will again suffer disproportionally from these changes. Women […]

FREE SANITARY PRODUCTS FOR ALL WOMEN

In these austere times women often bear the brunt of stretching finances in the home. It is well known that when it comes to prioritising essential things such as food and bills against personal items, food, bills, kids and home always come first, and women’s dignity and health issues go out of the window. One […]

Maternity and its impact on Women’s careers

Maternity and its impact on Women’s careers Conference notes that for many women, returning from maternity leave can attribute to future stressful periods in their working life. It’s not just the thought of leaving baby behind, but the thought of what lies ahead in regard to their future working life and opportunities within the workplace. […]

Aspirational women in the workplace – the barriers women still face

Conference notes that women make up 51% of the population and are a major contributor to shaping and enriching our communities. The current Coalition Government cuts have had a huge impact on the public sector, where the majority of the workforce are women. As a result women members have been disproportionally hit on a number […]

HEALTH AND SAFETY MOTION

Conference remains alarmed at the continuing attacks by the Coalition Government on Health and Safety legislation by claiming that these important regulations amount to a burden on business without any credible evidence base. The 33% budget cut to the Health and Safety executive (HSE), and additional cuts to local authorities pose serious risk to enforcement […]

DOMESTIC ABUSE: SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT

For women in an abusive relationship, the work place is an important protective factor; it offers time away from the abuser; space for women to be themselves and valued for their skills and abilities; a source of income that provides some autonomy and independence; and communication with work colleagues that reduces isolation. The general perception […]