WTUC conference, Scarborough, 11-13th March 2009
The theme of the TUC 2009 Women’s conference was ‘Women and the Global Recession’ and it was formally opened on Wednesday 11th March by Annette Mansell-Green (Unison) Chair of conference and a TUC Women’s Committee member.
Annette delivered a thought provoking opening address with the emphasis on the poignancy of the timing of conference in relation to the 25th anniversary of the miners’ strike – paying particular tribute to the women in the mining communities and how their strength, support and activism made such a difference through an extremely difficult time. She also hi-lighted the disproportionate effects of the global recession on women in the UK and that we need to ensure that the government doesn’t further punish women or in fact any worker by introducing more privatisation, ineffective legislation or maintenance of anti-union acts – in her words “when women join together and speak with one voice, employers have to sit up and listen”.
The business of conference then began, with the key debate being around a composite motion ‘ Women and the economic crisis’ the motion however was opposed by some large unions and subsequently fell.
The FBU women attended a fringe meeting on the first evening “The Charter for Women and the Crisis of Capitalism”. There were 2 speakers – Mary Davis, TUC Women’s Committee and Sharon Allen, Secretary of Charter for Women.. Sharon raised many really important issues, in particular, ‘why is there no national outcry or co-ordinated response from the movement at the enormous job losses of Woolworths staff?’ was it because they were mostly women’s posts?
She also assured us that the Women’s Charter steering group were keeping a close eye on Domestic Violence issues, particularly in the current climate. National research studies show that in times of recession when family finances and employment are at risk, a rise in domestic abuse is experienced. Also, even when the UK is in times of recession, 2 women every week die at the hands of a violent partner or ex-partner and when we are mid-recession attacks on women and children rise.
In addition to this, worryingly, local authorities around the country are withdrawing funding from women’s aid organisations and refuges as they attempt to tighten their belts. (See the ‘Map of Gaps’ publication from the EVAW and EHRC partnership.)
Mary Davis then spoke in relation to the nature of the crisis – is it a recession or a depression? What is the nature of capitalism? and Marx’s theory of the nature of profit - during his research on capitalism in the UK and finally, the Tories deregulation of the financial sector and New Labour’s inactivity to respond appropriately over the last decade.
This is not just a crisis of banks, but a crisis of industry (or non-industry) and the gap between rich and poor has actually widened under the new labour government.
How the global recession has affected women in particular, increasing the feminisation of poverty and hi-lighting the lack of services for women and their children as public sector provisions are hit hard.
2nd day of conference, the first part of the morning was spent debating family friendly/caring and job sharing.
We were then treated to an address by Carolina Amador Perez (also the FBU Women’s School sororal guest speaker), who is the International Relations Officer for the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC). Carolina informed conference how the Cuban government have recognised the need to increase and equalise representation of women in all areas of public life, promote equality and fundamentally improve the future prospects of women in her country in order to support a fair and stable social and economic future for the Cuban people.
Vicky Knight moved the FBU’s motion on Shift Patterns, hi-lighting the attacks on FBU members’ working conditions, safety, family flexibility and the FRS’s ability to provide and maintain adequate and appropriate fire cover. This was seconded by the RMT and was carried unanimously.
Soon after, there was a lengthy debate on flexible working and the right to request. Sister Byrne (R8 Rep) felt so strongly about the issues of caring for elderly relatives which had not been mentioned at all within the discussion, she made an ad hoc speech regarding the sandwich generation’s increasing expectations and the need for legislation to make adequate provision in recognition of this.
The second half of the morning covered international issues including ‘Women internationally and the global recession’, ‘Maternal death rate in developing countries’, ‘Child labour’ and ‘Violence towards Iraqi women’ – all very passionate and emotional speeches and all were carried.
Denise Christie spoke brilliantly in support of Iraqi women and organised a bucket collection for the Iraqi Women’s League, a guest of the FBU’s and also a speaker from the platform.
The delegation attended a lunchtime fringe on ‘Women, Class and the Crisis of Capitalism.’ The speakers were Anita Halpin, Chair of TUC women’s committee, Mary Davis, Chair of UCU women’scommittee, Annette Mansell Green and Carolina Aador Perez, FMC.
Sam Samuels (BE&MM) spoke in support of a composite motions regarding women’s political representation and described Gloria mills from UNISON as her inspiration. Sam also spoke in support of a motion ‘Campaigning against the far right’ and highlighted to conference that the FBU are committed to removing BNP members from our union. There were a number of passionate speeches on this motion and the USDAW delegate urged conference to attend the march against the BNP conference in Blackpool in October and mobilise in the forthcoming European elections.
Sam Rye (Region 3) seconded a motion entitled Gender Sensitive Health, Safety and Welfare (FBU Composited motion) and suggested to conference that the menopausal women should be given some consideration under absence management. Also, Sam mentioned the problems members are suffering with women’s uniform in UK FRS and how Sophie the H&S female testing mannequin was introduced years after Ralph her male equivalent to hi-light the lack of investment in women-specific health, safety and welfare.
Conference was then addressed by Vera Baird, QC MP Solicitor general. Amongst other things, she talked about the effect of the global downturn on women and how equality issues will have less funding and support. The Equality Bill was covered and she urged us to continue to strive for equality, saying “equality is for all times not just the good times” She then took questions from the floor.
Dona Feltham supported the resolution “Prison, a dumping ground for women” which caused some debate regarding mental health and public funding - contributors also included the POA, NAPO and PCS.
We were then due to receive an address from Brendan Barber, but a point of order was called and a very intense group debate ensued covering 3 resolutions around the issues of prostitution and trafficking instead. Kerry Baigent (NWC Secretary) contributed to this debate hi-lighting areas of concern and calling for the movement’s informed involvement in eradicating the abuse and exploitation of women in every form.
The last day of conference, Brendan Barber managed to give his address and urged Ministers not to put the equality agenda on the back burner because of the economic crisis and called for good quality, childcare for all women and referred to the “chronic motherhood penalty”. He also gave the TUC’s continued and committed support for women in both the movement and society as the workforce of now and our children, those workers of the future.
The final address from an international sister was by Shadha Besarani from the Iraqi Women’s league, thanking conference for the continued support for IWL and updated conference on the work still being carried out for women in Iraq – still fighting for democracy and independence, yet living with some of the most horrendous of atrocities.
The Conference concluded at lunchtime and a TUC women’s Committee de-brief will be held at the meeting of TWC in May.
NWC Report,
14th March 2009.
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Published by Fire Brigades Union National Women's Committee