UNISON 2010 Women's Conference - setting the agenda for the election

National Women’s Conference 2010 helped set the agenda for UNISON’s priorities post the general election, with a strong emphasis on our core campaigning and workplace issues, and what they mean to our women members.

An early motion on the agenda was on the Million Voices campaign and why it is essential women must be central to driving this work forward – we are the majority providers and users of public services. With an unprecedented level of cuts in public sector spending expected from 2011, women will be affected disproportionately and we have a responsibility to ensure this is built into the campaign at all levels.
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1743

Other key debates further reinforced this, with motions on:

o Using Equality Impact Assessments as a campaigning tool so that policies do not disproportionately impact on one group of workers,

o The Personalisation agenda and how we must intervene to ensure that this does not lead to the further fragmentation of the social care workforce – which is overwhelmingly low paid, part time women workers,

o The barriers that prevent many women from being able to build up adequate pension provision,

o Encouraging more women to get involved in campaigning against the far right and highlighting the BNP’s attitude towards women, http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/layout/set/print/content/view/full/87106

o Building on UNISON’s international work, with Palestine, Burma, Colombia and Haiti identified as priorities, but also highlighting how women can get involved in international work and the positive contribution this can make.

Josie Bird