Women’s T.U.C. 12th, 13th and 14th March 2003, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

Chaired by Alison Sheppard

FBU Delegation:

• President - Ruth Winters,
• Women’s EC member - Vicky Knight,
• Women’s National Secretary - Kerry Baigent,
• Women’s National Chair - Dona Feltham,
• Region 1 Women’s Rep - Janette Ferguson,
• Region 6 Women’s Rep - Staci Leach,
• Tayside Women’s Rep - Heather Lawrie,
• London Women’s Chair - Sally Harper.

FBU EMERGENCY MOTION

Fire Service Pay Dispute

Conference is appalled at the proposed casualisation of the Fire Service which has been linked to the latest offer on pay. It is clear that the agenda of the Fire Service Employers is not to modernize the service but to erode collective bargaining and to turn a relatively family friendly working environment into one that emulates the worst for families.

They have continued to pursue the so called ‘Independent Review of the Fire Service’, commissioned by New Labour, written mainly by the Fire Service Employers and signed by Professor George Bain.

This is not only a sexist report condemning women to unequal pay but also uses women as an excuse to attack conditions of service, attempting to return workers to the draconian conditions of absent and exhausted parents.

Conference fully supports the FBU in its attempt to achieve appropriate pay levels for its members and calls on the Women’s Committee to raise the issues within this motion with the General Council, in particular to build upon the support already given to the FBU by the TUC by whatever means possible to assist them to win this dispute.

The women’s delegation spoke on the following resolutions:

• Fire Service Pay dispute – Vicky Knight moved this resolution
• Equal Pay – Sally Harper spoke in support of this resolution
• Privatisation of public services – Kerry Baigent spoke in support of this resolution
• Work life Balance – Janette Ferguson spoke in support of this resolution
• Sex and Relationship Education – Heather Lawrie spoke in support of this resolution

There were many other resolutions that the delegation tried to speak on, but were not allowed into the debate by the chair, due to time constraints.

Ruth Winters asked the TUC Women’s Committee for an update on the Nestle stall at the main TUC Congress.

Kerry Baigent was asked to second the vote of thanks where she had another opportunity to raise the profile of the FBU dispute.

The following speakers addressed Conference:

• Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary Elect
• Rt.Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary for Trade & Industry and Minister for Women
• Helen Jackson, MP
• Gloria Ramirez, CUT Columbia,
• Yvonne Strachan, Equality Unit Scottish Executive.

Women’s Committee

Vicky Knight was elected onto the Women’s Committee for the second year running

The following statement on Iraq was agreed at Conference.

The TUC Women’s Conference expresses our opposition to war against Iraq, without the explicit authority of the United Nations and our abhorrence at the rush to war.
We pay tribute to the many organizations and individual women and men who have raised their voices and taken action in support of a peaceful solution through the UN.

Recognising the overwhelming support of women all over the world for this approach, Conference welcomes the attached statements on Iraq.

• TUC General Council Statement - Feb 2003.
• ICFTU World Women’s Conference Resolution - Feb 2003.
• ETUC Executive Statement - March 2003.
• Letter to TUC affiliated unions from TUC General Secretary Elect - March 2003.

Conference agrees to hold a demonstrative action in support of peace at the 2003 TUC Women’s Conference on Friday 14th March, to show our solidarity with women workers across the world.

Furthermore, we pledge to continue to work for peace. In the words of the traditional labour movement song, honouring women trade unionists struggles.

We say “ YES TO PEACE, BREAD AND ROSES “

© Fire Brigades Union
Bradley House, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7AE
Published by Fire Brigades Union National Women's Committee