publicising successful cases that occur in work or from elsewhere in the same sector a programme of union training for reps and members a programme of training as part of a wider commitment from the employer to challenge sexism and discrimination at work.
Activity Women workers – mapping the workplace Task
Ask your personnel section for figures about numbers of women employees and: who are female and identify as black and minority ethnic who are female and identify as disabled who identify as lesbian which departments they are in which jobs they do (full time/part-time) what grades they are on how long they have been on that grade. Draw a workplace map to show where women workers are and the jobs that they do.
Report back
Explain your map to the rest of the group. Do you think some of this information will not be available for reasons of confidentiality or reluctance to share? How would you take this issue forward?
Representing members It is still the case that some women see unions as male organisations either indifferent or hostile to their concerns. In some workplaces, women members feel that grievances are not taken seriously and union reps will not challenge management over sex discrimination issues. Union reps should never suggest that: the member is being too sensitive the member has a chip on their shoulder they know the alleged person who carried out the incident and cannot believe that they would do/say such a thing perhaps it was only a joke. Any response by the union rep should be swift and positive. You may be unsure of the next steps but the member will be reassured if you have listened and agreed to support them. It will help if there are workplace policies and procedures that make the member feel confident that they will be supported by their union and management.
A TUC Handbook for all Trade Unionists
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