From membership to leadership: How to advance women in decision-making positions in trade unions‏

An increasing number of female workers are joining the ranks of trade unions throughout Europe. According to this year’s ETUC 8th March Survey, women account for around 45% of the trade union membership of the European Trade Union Confederation ( ETUC), which is an increase of 3 per cent since 2006. This tendency reflects the higher participation of women in employment, although gaps remain high in every Member State.

The study shows that women are important for trade unions’ future growth and sustainability and that trade unionism is key in the promotion of gender equality in employment and society at large.

Nevertheless, women do not appear to be effectively represented in trade unions’ decision-making positions, with only 7% of the top trade union positions being occupied by women. ETUC has been at the forefront in the promotion of women’s value and visibility in the labour market as well as within unions themselves and recently decided to step up its action in order to promote a more balanced participation of women in trade unions’ decision making positions and in collective bargaining committees and units.

“We have to increase our efforts to ensure that women reach leadership positions” said Veronica Nilsson, ETUC Special Advisor.

The result of this survey will be presented on 11-12 March, at a European Conference taking place in Luxembourg and involving trade union members, experts, politicians as well as EU institution representatives. This event will be an opportunity for trade union organisations to share their experiences of promoting women within trade unions and to put forward policy recommendations on the work of the ETUC in this important area of action .

For more information on the 8th March Survey 2010 see:
http://www.etuc.org/r/1368