UNISON’s 2023 national delegate conference opened in Liverpool today with a motion on increasing participation of lower paid women within the union.
The motion was introduced by Sharon Foster, on behalf of the national women’s committee.
Sharon said: “Let’s face it. Sometimes women need a little bit of encouragement to step into the limelight and get more active in UNISON.”
“Most women are trapped in casualised, low paid work, and in-work poverty remains a consistent problem. It’s crucial for women everywhere, now more than ever, to make sure women’s voices are heard. To actively campaign and force change.
“The determination, anger and ability is there for sure. So why isn’t it more clearly represented among activists and officers?
“We do not need others to speak for us – we can speak for ourselves.”
The motion calls on the union to:
- provide information about the advantages of union participation;
- work with the national women’s committee to provide written assurance of support from the branch and region for individual women who show interest in becoming an activist;
- discuss with national Black members committee ways to encourage more Black women to take an active role in their union and what support can be offered.
