STUC womens conference 16th and 17th November 2004, Stirling
Unions Work……for women.
The 2004 STUC women’s conference was held on 16th and 17th November at
the Albert Halls in Stirling. The conference was a roaring success and the FBU
delegation, observers and visitors had a fantastic time debating, networking
and exposing global injustice against women.
This conference had an order paper as wide and diverse as any I have attended,
if not more than most! and was Chaired by Veronica Rankin (Educational Institute
of Scotland). The conference debated issues from Asylum to the Gender Pay Gap,
Emergency Fire Controls to Paternity Leave and had guest speakers from Trades
Councils, MSP Malcolm Chisholm, the Cathkin High School ‘debating society’
and the South African high commissioner Lindiwe Mabuza, to name but a few.
The FBU motions being debated by the 90 strong conference were:
• Emergency Fire Control Rooms
• Abortion Rights
• Western Sahara
All of which were carried unanimously.
The delegates were Ruth Winters (FBU President) Linda Shanahan (STUC Women’s
committee) and Janette Ferguson (Region 1 Women’s Rep) Sally Harper (Region
10 women’s rep).
Observers were Joanne Winrow-Jones (Region 9 Womens rep) and Vicky Knight (EC
member for women) and our Visitor was Philippa Clarke (Ex research department
and FBU sister.)
Resolutions on the BNP and Paternity Rights were also seconded by the FBU and
we received resounding support in the debate created by the FBU’s ‘Emergency
Fire Controls’ motion.
Unison, in seconding this motion pledged full support for our campaign and shared
in our concerns of the proposed 500 job losses, reduction in public service
and the future for regional fire services, regional government and the impact
on trade unions and the workforce of the future.
The contribution of our South African sister moved and humbled the conference,
each and every one of us. She told delegates a brief history of Apartheid and
how the reinforced and reiterated beliefs of the South African people were,
‘only with the full and equal contribution of women, could a better life
for all be achieved.’
She talked about the oppression of South African sisters in so many different
ways and for so many reasons, the chief one being to divide the strength of
Black South Africa through Racism, Class and Gender segregation.
She paid tribute to strong women worldwide - celebrating feminism and women
like Sylvia Pankhurst for fighting the British struggle against Racism, Fascism
and sexism. A truly uplifting and moving contribution.
There was an afternoon session solely on the issue of Equal Pay, which after
a 50 year struggle attempting to achieve it was still a burning issue, high
on the agenda of so many women workers. The session was enjoyed by all participants
and was followed by 4 motions on this subject, all were passed by the conference.
The 2004 Women’s STUC was a fantastic event, I would like to congratulate
the women in Region 1 for their amazing input they are a credit to the FBU and
thank them for a great 2 days. I hope to be invited again soon!
Vicky Knight
©
Fire Brigades Union
Bradley House, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7AE
Published by Fire Brigades Union National Women's Committee