Trade unions regularly expect employers to respect court judgments, employment legislation, and equality law. They support members taking employers to tribunals and courts when those rights are not respected. Yet there remains a fundamental issue regarding equal representation by UNISON, ASLEF, USDAW, and the Musicians’ Union.
There will be many sensible women within UNISON and the other three Trade Unions who believe that women should be entitled to meet together to discuss issues specifically affecting women. Who is representing those women? These women should be able to rely upon their Trade Union to properly represent them in the workplace.
A women-only conference should not be controversial in the modern world. These Trade Unions shouldn’t disregard the common-sense views of the women who attend or disregard their views by boycotting the event.
The WEU Approach to Equal Treatment
The Workers of England Union has a clear stance: we are happy to support women-only events. We equally support men-only events to discuss issues particularly affecting men. We also support joint sessions where everyone can discuss the issues affecting workers collectively.
That is proper equal treatment. Recognising differences does not mean treating somebody unfairly.
Full article at https://www.workersofengland.co.uk/news/when-trade-unions-boycott-women-who-are-they-representing