Trade unions are betraying women workers

[FindTheTruth]

the labour movement should be protecting everyone’s rights
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trade-unions-are-betraying-women-workers-7vnht2sq8

(sorry don't have a share token)

Lordy, no. There will be safeguards against that sort of thing.

Still working out the details. It may require a diagram.

Here you go, @FindTheTruth.

Why: The Women's Union is for the protection, support and inspiration of [natal born] girls and women in the UK.

How: By creating a national membership organisation.

What: Provision of legal support to preserve and protect the rights of girls and women and funding for allied organisations.

Funded by:-

• subscriptions (monthly or annual membership)
• life membership
• donations
• legacies

Open to girls and women. Boys and men may have affiliate membership?

Distributed across the following:-

• % to admin (minimum)
• % to a standing legal fighting fund
• % to allied organisations nominated and approved by the membership (you can indicate on your membership form where you want the money to go)

Allied orgs to support:-

• Policy and politics (eg: MBM, FPFW, Sex Matters, WPUK, FWS)
• Science and tech (eg: Project Nettie)
• Sport
• Anti-Racism
• Maternity (eg: Pregnant then Screwed)
• Disability and health?
• Needs of older women?
• Education (eg: TT, SSA)
• Women's safety (eg: EVAW, nia, SBS, CWJ)
• Women and the Environment
• Young people (include a scholarship/hardship fund?)

The Union could also sponsor FiLiA and other events. Have a culture programme (concerts, gigs, book launches) as fundraisers.

What have I missed?

I would definitely subscribe to a new (single sex) Women's Union. What a fantastic idea! The traditional Trade Unions have neglected women for far too long.

Sounds great! I'm out of the workplace now but this is one union I would have joined with no reservations. In my last job, when I moved departments, I concluded it was a total waste of my hard earned £ to pay for a union sub, given how useless they'd been on a few occasions when colleagues needed their help. The one I had belonged to seemed far keener on boycotting Palestine than giving practical help to members in difficulties.

Practical help for members in difficulties will be the primary function.

I don't feel that the trade unions I'm aware of have ever been particularly interested in women.

I'm self employed,and even when I was employed,I never joined a union. Always seemed a bit of a boys club to me,even then.
I'd happily join a union that fought for women's rights.

@MountRushmore

Clearly something in the air because I woke up this morning thinking what we need is a Women's Union. Inspired by the roots of the Labour party in the unions of the 19th century, the Women's Union is a place for support and information on education, racial equality, employment protection and rights, maternity and health, political representation and environmental concerns, a youth wing to inspire and support young women. It will represent Women's interest in the political and public sphere. There are chapters for all of these, many of them existing already in the form of FPFW, WPUK, SSA, etc so somehow they could continue their work, supported with subs from the Women's Union members?

It is a home for those left homeless by current political parties, and something to replace the vacuum left by the Fawcett Society and the Women's Equality Party. Subs can also be used to provide a legal fighting fund for all the cases that seem to be needed at the moment. Men can join as affliates, but its main programme is women centred.

It is a force to be reckoned with.

Off for a walk to work out the finer details. I'll have it sorted by lunchtime.

We could call it the Women's Social and Political Union.

Ready made flag, too.

I would LOVE to join a union specifically for women. I've been a TU member for decades and they've all been crap.

I'm currently a member of GMB TU and would leave tomorrow if I had a viable alternative.

I'm in!!!! Sounds amazing!!

@MountRushmore

Here you go, *@FindTheTruth*.

Why: The Women's Union is for the protection, support and inspiration of [natal born] girls and women in the UK.

How: By creating a national membership organisation.

What: Provision of legal support to preserve and protect the rights of girls and women and funding for allied organisations.

Funded by:-

• subscriptions (monthly or annual membership)
• life membership
• donations
• legacies

Open to girls and women. Boys and men may have affiliate membership?

Distributed across the following:-

• % to admin (minimum)
• % to a standing legal fighting fund
• % to allied organisations nominated and approved by the membership (you can indicate on your membership form where you want the money to go)

Allied orgs to support:-

• Policy and politics (eg: MBM, FPFW, Sex Matters, WPUK, FWS)
• Science and tech (eg: Project Nettie)
• Sport
• Anti-Racism
• Maternity (eg: Pregnant then Screwed)
• Disability and health?
• Needs of older women?
• Education (eg: TT, SSA)
• Women's safety (eg: EVAW, nia, SBS, CWJ)
• Women and the Environment
• Young people (include a scholarship/hardship fund?)

The Union could also sponsor FiLiA and other events. Have a culture programme (concerts, gigs, book launches) as fundraisers.

What have I missed?

Wow! Great outline @MountRushmore I think this has got lets. there is a definite need for a union that stands against the discrimination in the EA2010 inclu. sex-based rights

I have no faith in my Union.

Was in it for years. The man who bullied me was not.

He, as bullies do, really overstepped the mark, flew into a panic, and joined.

And was given absolutely top notch representation.

My rep did not turn up on the day of the hearing. I suspect to protect their new position amidst the management (who were less than truthful about their involvement). And was allegedly giving advice to the bully.

He left with a beautiful golden goodbye.

I have no faith in the company or the union but it is a necessary evil.

I’d leave in a shot if there was an alternative.

Glad you think it's a good idea. Thinking about it further, I wonder if it overlaps with the #lawfare project @Spero has been thinking off.

Many years ago I was in a predominently male workplace and the union reps and officials did not think women were really suitable for that occupation.

The consequence was that I paid my subs, attended meetings and wore my union badge proudly, but when I was sexually assaulted my official said, "well, the trouble is, women shouldn't really be in this workplace -- it's really a man's job". When some men tried to harass my because they did not like women working with them, I was told that "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen". When there was a problem getting female toilets at one location, my rep told me that he agreed with the employer that as I was the only woman, and I would probably leave when I got pregnant and never come back, it was not worth going to the expense of having a female toilet put in! This was of course against the law, but they STILL didn't give a shit (pardon the pun)!

@MountRushmore great idea! I’d join.

My workplace is pretty good at equality (although I did have a minor fight to get a sanitary bin put in the site toilets) but that’s not the point is it. I’d love to be able to help less-fortunate others in a practical way.

I'll join @MountRushmore
Do it!