SCOTTISH TRADES UNION CONGRESS
74th STUC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
DECISIONS
2001 Women's Conference Decisions 1
Resolution No.1 - Women's Representation Changes to Sex Discrimination Act
"That this Conference welcomes the proposals by the Government to amend the Sex Discrimination Act, 1976, which will allow political parties to address the under-representation of women in local government and Parliamentary elections.
"Conference notes that even if these proposals are enacted, there remains the need for a strong, united campaign by women to ensure that all political parties develop fairer and more inclusive selection procedures.
"Conference reaffirms its support for the Scottish Women's Co-ordination Group which, under the banner of the 50/50 campaign, sought, successfully, to improve representation of women in the first elections to the Scottish Parliament. Conference commends the efforts which resulted in 37.5% of MSPs being women.
"Conference adopts the aims of the campaign
· to increase women's representation in public and political life in Scotland;
· to improve access to and representation within all decision making bodies in Scotland;
· to widen the diversity of women representatives in the public and political life of Scotland.
"Conference notes, in particular, the success of the campaign in the Labour Party in Scotland to address gender balance of their candidates for the new Scottish Parliament. Conference urges it to continue the efforts to ensure 50/50 gender balance amongst candidates and also within the Labour Group.
"Conference believes that all political parties have the responsibility to ensure their selection procedures bring forward candidates more reflective of society.
"Conference, therefore, calls on the STUC Women's Committee to:
· continue to support and work closely with the Scottish Women's Co- ordination Group to campaign for 50/50 gender balanced representation;
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· lobby all political parties within Scotland to develop special selection procedures to increase the number of women candidates with a view to ensuring gender balance in the next Scottish Parliament and local government elections;
· encourage more women to participate in public life at all levels, including standing as candidates in elections. "
Amended Resolution No.2 - Campaign for the Universal Provision of Free Nutritional School Meals
"That this Conference welcomes the work of the STUC Women's Committee developing policy and strategy on families and poverty. In particular, it commends the support by the committee of the Child Poverty Action Group's Campaign for the universal provision of free, nutritional school meals and the return of free school milk. Conference also commends the drafting and submission of a public petition to the Scottish Parliament on this important issue.
"Conference is concerned that the current system of school meals' provision does not adequately provide nutrition for all young people of school age. Recent research by the Child Poverty Action Group and other organisations highlight evidence that the stigma attached to free school meals leads to rejection of them by many families on income support. As a result, many children are using alternative sources of food which do not comply with any nutritional standards. Poor nutritional standards in childhood are known to have an adverse effect not only on health and physical development, but also on educational achievement. This has a direct impact on the social inclusion agenda, to which this movement is so strongly committed.
"Conference is concerned, also, about the lack of any national standards or guidelines governing the nutritional content of school meals.
"Conference commends local authorities that are addressing the stigma of free school meals, poverty, and poor nutritional standards, through initiatives such as breakfast clubs, free or subsidised fruit, and swipe cards. Conference is concerned, however, that improvements to access good quality food and nutritional standards should be supported at a national level by the Parliament and Executive.
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"Conference believes that the universal provision of free, nutritional school meals and the return of free school milk, would be an effective mechanism for tackling poverty and social exclusion among our young people. Furthermore, Conference believes that such a policy could be vital as a public health measure for improving healthy eating habits and longterm good health, among all Scotland's school children, from an early age. Conference urges that such an investment in the long-term health of our nation, as far as possible, should be taken forward in a universal manner.
"Conference, therefore, calls on the STUC Women's Committee to continue to lobby the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament to take action to address poverty and nutritional issues by considering the implementation of universally free, nutritional school meals and taking action to improve current school meals provision through the development of a national strategy. "
Composite A (Covering Resolution Nos.3 & 4) Equal Pay
"That this Conference is deeply concerned that over a quarter of a century since the passing of the Equal Pay Act, women workers still earn on average twenty per cent less than average male earnings. Moreover, this gender pay gap rises to 30 or even 40 per cent for women in part time work.
"Conference is disappointed that the Government has rejected TUC and EOC Task Force proposals for legal duties to be imposed on employers to carry out gender pay reviews.
"Recent statistics have revealed that in Scotland women now make up more than half of all people in work. The fact that on average women earn less than men clearly has a massive impact on the economy, women and their families, and can be linked to poverty and social exclusion. The gender pay gap impacts on women throughout their lives and leads to poverty in old age. Gender pay inequality does not only mean discrimination in the pay packet, bonuses and benefits, but also discrimination in training provision, pension provision, and career prospects.
"Conference welcomes recent initiatives such as the partnership working of the Scottish Executive, Equal Opportunities Commission Scotland, and the STUC on the `Close the Gap' Campaign; and the UK Government's initiatives on fair pay champions, and the "Castle" awards. However, Conference believes that women workers are benefiting much less than existing equalities legislation might seem to promise and it must remain a high priority throughout Trade Unions, to ensure that our organising and bargaining agendas address this.
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"Conference believes that the STUC must build its members commitment to a better quality of life for workers and calls on the STUC Women's Committee to urge Government to do more to tackle the gender pay gap, by urgently strengthening equal pay laws to:
· reform the complex, costly and time-consuming system of taking equal pay cases, whilst ensuring the rights of applicants to present their own evidence to employment tribunals;
· place the burden of proof on employers in equal pay cases;
· allow the taking of collective equal pay cases;
· allow the intervention of the CAC where contracts are discriminatory;
· oblige employers to carry out gender pay audits;
· ensure fairness and transparency in pay structures.
"Conference believes that The STUC Women's Committee should work to tackle the underlying reasons for the gender pay gap by:
· urging that all employers within UK Government, the Scottish Executive, local government, the NHS and all non-departmental public bodies conduct equal pay audits within their own workplaces and with any sub contractors;
· raising with social partners the issue of valuing work. To review how we value certain jobs, so skills such as caring for people, and jobs involving responsibility for human beings, such as care work, do become more valued in society;
· encouraging affiliates to actively seek out equal pay cases amongst their members, and take forward cases to support women members;
· encouraging all employers to adopt the EOC's code of practice and consider the record of employers on equal pay when grant support is being considered;
· supporting Trade Union training on equal pay issues;
· giving specific consideration to improving the opportunities for women in education, training and life long learning and endorsing the use of the EOC's Mainstreaming Equality Toolkit."
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Resolution No.5 - Gender Pay Gap in Universities
"That this Conference notes research published by AUT in July 2001 which shows that the gender pay gap in universities has widened over the past five years. On average, across the UK, women working in universities earn 16% less than men, up from 15% in 1995. When broken down, the figures for Scotland are even worse, with women in Scottish universities earning 19% less than their male counterparts. Despite continued assurances from universities about their commitment to equality there has been, yet again, an increase in pay discrimination.
"Conference welcomes the Scottish Executive's desire that universities should become more socially inclusive and should contribute fully to lifelong learning. However, Conference notes that these concerns should be accompanied by a commitment to eliminate blatant inequalities in the institutions required to deliver social inclusion and lifelong learning.
"Conference calls on the Scottish Executive to work with Scottish universities and campus Trade Unions to find ways to eliminate pay discrimination and to rectify the pay gaps that are currently in existence."
Resolution No.6 - Family Friendly Policies
"That this Conference welcomes the recent improvements in maternity, paternity and parental leave and the increasing provision of nursery places. Conference acknowledges the positive role of the Trade Union Movement in campaigning for family friendly policies in the workplace. However, the lack of childcare facilities in the workplace are preventing women from fulfilling their career potential. In addition to this, inadequate childcare facilities frequently prevent women in the Trade Union Movement from fully participating in their organisation. "Conference calls upon the STUC Women's Committee to:
evaluate the provision of childcare, both within the workplace and within the Trade Union Movement and look at best practice for childcare. This should take into account all legislation pertaining to the provision of childcare and protect the terms and conditions of childcare workers;
make recommendations to all STUC affiliates regarding their own provision of childcare;
produce guidelines for Trade Union representatives to use in their negotiations with employers in establishing good quality childcare provision in the workplace."
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Resolution No.7 - Childcare
"That this Conference welcomes the initiatives taken by the Government to develop the Scottish childcare strategy, including the establishment of childcare partnerships and the Childcare Tax Credit.
"However, Conference notes that:
· despite moves by the Scottish Executive in increasing the numbers of 3 and 4 year olds participating in pre-school education, which is only in grant-funded pre-school provision, these initiatives to date have not significantly increased the pool of childcare places available, particularly in rural areas;
· childcare in private nurseries is still too expensive for the majority of workers;
· most working parents believe employers should do more to assist with childcare provision;
· most working parents believe that the Government should do more to develop childcare provision;
· most working parents believe that childcare workers are poorly paid for the work that they do.
"High quality, affordable, available and accessible childcare provision is an essential element in improving the work/life balance for working parents. And since women still take the main responsibility for childcare, it is an essential element in tackling sex discrimination.
"Conference calls on the STUC Women's Committee to continue to campaign for high quality, affordable childcare for all, delivered by properly trained and fairly paid staff. As part of this campaign, the Committee should:
- lobby the Scottish Executive to provide increased funding for childcare provision;
- encourage affiliates to become active in the Scottish Childcare Partnerships;
- encourage affiliates to raise awareness and negotiate with employers to improve workplace provision of childcare through a range of initiatives currently happening in Scotland;
- continue to support and campaign on behalf of childcare workers in their campaign for fair pay."
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Resolution No.8 - Early Years' Education and Childcare
"That this Conference welcomes efforts by the Scottish Executive and Local Authorities to improve the provision of early years' education and childcare. Conference notes that recent policy and consultation documents referring to these important areas of social and educational policy emphasise the need for high quality provision. Conference believes that Local Authorities have an essential role in the provision of early years' education and childcare.
"Conference also believes that such provision is essential to breaking down barriers of poverty and other inequalities. Conference also believes that there is a distinct difference between the provision of education and childcare and that both must be of the highest quality.
"Conference acknowledges that high standards and quality of education and care exist and commends those involved in their delivery. Conference recognises that the majority of people who work in early years and childcare sector are women. Conference is concerned that many of these women are low paid.
"Conference agrees, therefore, that
local authorities must be provided with adequate funding to improve and support early education and child care strategies;
resources must be in place to ensure that children and young people are offered access to high quality provision;
resources must be made available to ensure those working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity meet stringent legal requirements;
all staff should have appropriate qualifications;
adequate remuneration should be paid to reflect the quality and importance of the service.
"Conference urges the Women's Committee to continue discussions with the Scottish Executive, appropriate Committees of the Scottish Parliament and affiliates to ensure that resources and policy match the aspirations of Scottish women."
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Amended Resolution No.9 - Maternity and Parental Rights
"That this Conference welcomes the Government's on-going commitment to helping parents balance work and family life.
"The introduction of Parental Leave, together with proposed improvement in maternity leave and pay, and the introduction of paternity leave and adoption leave are acknowledged as major steps forward in assisting parents to achieve this work-life balance.
"Conference also recognises the importance of flexible hours working in enabling parents to balance work with family responsibilities as long as workers themselves have influence over these working patterns. The report of the Work and Parents Task Force will be important in establishing an initial right in this area and is welcomed by Conference.
"However, Conference is concerned that many low paid parents in Scotland will be unable to take full advantage of these rights due to their low incomes and in-built discrimination in the proposals:
· many low paid workers are unable to take parental leave because it is inflexible and unpaid;
· fathers earning less than the lower earnings limit for the payment of National Insurance contributions will not be eligible for paid paternity leave;
· adoptive parents earning less than the lower earnings limit for the payment of National Insurance contributions will not be eligible for paid adoption leave;
· many women on low incomes will be unable to take up the right to 12 months' maternity leave because statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance will only be payable for the first 26 weeks.
"Conference also welcomes the `Work and Parents Task Force' set up by the Government to consider such work-life balance issues, currently reporting on proposals to enable parents to request flexible hours, and to have the right to have that request seriously considered. Although Conference believes that parents should have the right to work flexible hours rather than to simply make the request to do so, Conference welcomes the consultation paper issued by the Task Force, and calls on affiliates to press the Government to introduce measures that ensure that employers can only refuse such requests where they can show that the request would be detrimental to their business.
"Conference also calls on the STUC Women's Committee to press the Government to re-examine all their proposals in order that measures to assist
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parents in achieving a balance between work and family life can be enjoyed by all parents, not just the better off.
"Conference also calls on the STUC to mount a campaign to ensure that there is a right for women to work reduced hours or flexibly, not just a right to request flexible working. The campaign will include a call to ensure that any new right does not exploit women, that they are able to influence their own working patterns and employers can only refuse a request where it can be objectively justified."
Amended Resolution No.10 - Part Time Workers
"That this Conference deplores the current discriminatory practices against part-time workers, particularly in relation to training opportunities and promotion prospects for women. Conference calls on all affiliates to apply pressure on employers with a view to ending these discriminatory practices.
"Conference also calls upon the STUC Women's Committee to campaign the Westminster Government to strengthen the Part-Time Workers' Regulations by removing the rule that prevents casual, sessional, seasonal, relief and other atypical workers from comparing their posts with full-time permanent staff.
"This Conference instructs the STUC Women's Committee to enter into discussions on the issue of training and promotion opportunities for women with the appropriate committees of the Scottish Parliament, with the Scottish Executive and with the EOC(Scotland). The discussions should form part of a campaign to raise awareness among employers and the general public of the effects of these discriminatory employment practices."
Resolution No.11 - Term-Time Workers
"That this Conference condemns the disgraceful situation whereby term time only workers, such as school meals staff, support staff and cleaners, the majority of whom are women, are unable to claim Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA) during those periods when they are laid-off without pay. Up to 20,000 term-time workers in Scotland have lost out because of the House of Lords decision in June 2001 that term-time workers cannot claim benefit.
"Conference calls on the STUC to urge the UK Government and the Scottish Executive to address the issue of term-time workers, to review the rules for claiming Job Seekers' Allowance so that it is equally flexible to reflect modern working patterns. Term-time only workers must be allowed to claim JSA during the period where they are not being paid a wage."
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Amended Resolution No.12 - Sexual Harassment
"That this Conference notes with concern the recent report from the Equal Opportunities Commission that sexual harassment of men and women is still widespread and that ninety per cent of successful tribunal claimants had lost their job or resigned as a result of the harassment.
"Conference is also concerned that nearly half of the women bringing a case had not made a formal complaint to anyone at work for a variety of reasons including having no one to complain to.
"We welcome the launch of the online advice on the EOC web site. As well as helping employees to understand their rights, the EOC is calling on employers to take responsibility for preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
"Conference welcomes the imminent changes to the European Equal Treatment Directive which will have the effect of strengthening UK law on sexual harassment. Conference recognises that the law in itself does not always provide protection against this form of discrimination.
"In line with the EOC recommendations we call upon Unions to continue their efforts to get employers to:
· adopt a clear policy that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the workplace ;
· spell out what kinds of behaviour is unacceptable;
· make sure victims know how to raise concerns and feel confident in doing so
· investigate problems and take firm action to stamp out harassment when it occurs.
"We also call upon Unions to give active consideration to setting up help lines to advise workers about sexual harassment."
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Resolution No.13 - Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace
"That this Conference believes that bullying and harassment are serious issues in the workplace affecting a large number of people, in the main female workers.
"Conference, therefore, welcomes the work done in the past on bullying and harassment by the STUC Women's Committee, but calls for continued guidance from the STUC Women's Committee to all affiliates highlighting best practice on how to deal with this major problem."
Amended Resolution No.14 - Bullying
"That this STUC Women's Conference notes the increasing trend towards bullying and undue pressure being applied to workers (particularly women), with no consideration being given to family/caring responsibilities, in relation to arbitrary, unrealistic and unilaterally-set targets. This Conference, therefore, calls on all affiliates and the STUC to campaign for an end to such practices, including lobbying Government for specific legislation to outlaw bullying at work."
Amended Resolution No.15 - Young Workers and the National Minimum Wage
"That this Conference congratulates the General Council and affiliates on their concerted campaign to improve the rate and extend the coverage of the national minimum wage.
"Conference is concerned, however, that the exclusion of 16 and 17 year olds from minimum wage protection entirely, together with the lower rate which continues to apply to 18 to 21 year olds, perpetuates unjust divisions, provides a source of cheap labour and continues to pass the burden of unfair employment practices onto young workers themselves, their families and the tax-payer. This is particularly true of the retail sector where two third of young employees are women.
"Conference is, therefore, concerned that the total lack of protection for 16 and 17 year olds is likely to have a discriminatory impact on young women workers. Evidence clearly illustrates that the exclusion of young workers from the scope of the old Wages Councils under a previous Conservative Government meant that young workers' pay in general fell, but young women workers' pay fell furthest of all.
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"In the interests of justice, fair competition and equality, Conference, therefore, calls on the STUC Women's Committee, the General Council and all affiliates to campaign for the abolition of the discriminatory rates for all young people."
Resolution No.16 - Young Women's Employment Rights
"That this Conference deplores the current exploitation of young teenage women employees by unscrupulous employers and calls upon the STUC to do whatever is in its power to negotiate with the Government to rectify this matter.
1) Include them in minimum wage where carrying out similar duties to `adults'.
2) Stop issuing of thirteen-week temporary contracts with no guaranteed permanent employment at the end of same. We feel this is being used as a back-door to employing casual labour and is very demoralising to our young people."
Resolution No.17 - Women in Science, Engineering and Technology
"That this Conference notes that the position of women in Science, Engineering and Technology and many other male dominated professions is slow to improve. A report on `Women and Men in the Professions in Scotland' carried out by the Scottish Executive Central Research Unit, published in 2000, showed a familiar pattern of exclusionary practices of male networks, stereotyped notions about women's and men's work and resistance to introducing women and family friendly working practices.
"Conference urges the STUC, the STUC Women's Committee and its affiliates to support the Scottish Executive Equality Strategy and to campaign, where necessary, with other women's organisations and sympathetic professional bodies, for the implementation of equal opportunities in these areas."
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Amended Resolution No.18 - Workplace Facilities for Women
"That this Conference demands that the Women's Committee and the STUC campaign by all means at their disposal to encourage employers in male dominated workplaces to provide adequate facilities for women. For too long, women have had to adapt to male environments which deny them privacy whilst washing, showering or changing.
"Conference believes that this is a major problem for mobile shift workers in the emergency services and transport industries which is not taken seriously. As well as the denial of privacy, a lack of adequate toilet and washing facilities can have serious implications for women's health and safety including exposure to the danger of toxic shock syndrome.
"Conference calls on the STUC to conduct research amongst all affiliates to ascertain the exact scale of the problem with a view to conducting an informed campaign to eliminate this discrimination against women workers.
"Further, in formulating this campaign, this Conference instructs the Women's Committee to investigate initiatives in other European countries, such as the Danish leaflet ad media campaign `A lock on the shower door' which has made material differences to facilities available to women in their workplaces in Denmark."
Resolution No.19. Health and Safety Implications Injuries to Breasts
"That this Conference calls upon the STUC Women's Committee to investigate the possible Health & Safety implications of bruising and injuries to breasts, especially for women working on moving vehicles within the transport industry. Of particular concern is any relationship to such injuries and the subsequent onset of cancer."
Resolution No.20 - Safety Implications Women Transport Workers
"That this Conference calls upon the STUC Women's Committee to highlight the safety implications for women, including those in part-time posts, who work shift patterns starting or finishing either early in the morning or late at night. For women in the transport industry, this often entails working alone. In addition, we feel the need for an examination of the safety implications for such women who have to travel to or from their place of work at unsocial hours."
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Resolution No.21 - Equality Structures
"That this Conference commends the role of the STUC Women's Committee and the General Council in taking positive action to implement policies and structures which create opportunities for women Trade Unionists in Scotland to participate and develop their role and contribution at an STUC level. However, we also recognise that a great deal yet remains to be done within affiliated Unions if those advances are to be underpinned successfully.
"Conference, therefore, instructs the Women's Committee to convene seminars of women Trade Unionists in order to develop coherent proposals, with the aim of the Women's Committee and the General Council producing positive action guidance to affiliates which will encourage a new and co- ordinated impetus to the development, increased participation and influence of women within their own Union."
Resolution No.22 - Union Recognition
"That this Conference is dismayed that there is still an exemption from recognition procedures for companies with less than 21 employees. Conference recognises that lots of women are employed in small companies and are, therefore, being denied proper representation and access to their rights.
"Conference notes that experience of the CAC route to recognition has proved that unscrupulous employers are systematically pressurising Union members and potential members to vote against recognition. Women are particularly vulnerable to this sort of harassment and the long recognition process exacerbates the problem.
"Furthermore, Conference is concerned that even if a Union is successful in achieving recognition it is restricted to negotiating on only pay, hours and holidays. There is no requirement to negotiate on equal treatment and equal pay or training. Again women are losing out.
"Conference calls on the STUC Women's Committee to campaign for changes in the legislation that will ensure that women get proper representation at work through their Trade Union and that equality issues are given the importance they deserve by being included in the items that Unions can negotiate about."
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Resolution No.23 - Union Recruitment
"That this Conference recognises the increasing number of women recruited to the workforce and the increasing contribution of women in the workplace. Despite legislation on sex discrimination, equal pay and part time workers, many women, particularly in the new technology industry, endure inferior terms and conditions in unorganised workplaces. Women comprise around 50% of the workforce, yet only 29% of Trade Union members are women.
"Conference calls upon STUC affiliates to co-ordinate a joint union recruitment and organising strategy, targeting unorganised sectors and workplaces where large numbers of the workforce are women."
Amended Motion No.24 - Women's Training
"That this Conference calls on the STUC Women's Committee to initiate a campaign to develop an integrated training programme across Scotland for women Trade Unionists.
"Conference commends the excellent work of the Women's Committee in this area to date, particularly in the programme of Women's Weekend Schools, which provide both a model and a firm basis for further development.
"Conference believes such women's training should be established and carried out under the auspices of a joint body drawn together by the STUC and TUC, accessing funding from various sources, including governmental and European bodies responsible for training."
Resolution No.25 - Training
"That this Conference welcomes the introduction of the Scottish Union Learning Fund. However, it must be recognised that a vital part of encouraging lifelong learning and building people's confidence is to ensure that they receive adequate training for their job. In many sectors, the voluntary approach has failed to deliver the necessary training that is required to ensure the sustained success of the Scottish economy.
"Therefore, Conference believes that there is no alternative to a statutory framework providing for financial incentives supporting those companies that train and penalising those companies who do not. Only by introducing financial incentives will training be forced onto company agendas. The money raised by this process should be used to create sector training funds.
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"Furthermore, the statistics show that, where companies do provide training, it is unevenly distributed to the disadvantage of those with few or no qualifications and to the disadvantage of women generally. This statutory framework should require that one of the objectives of the sector training fund is to create equality of access to training and monitoring to ensure that this is being provided."
Resolution No.26 - National Health Service
"That this Conference welcomes the Scottish Executive's ambitious programme for NHS Scotland outlined in Our National Health to deliver improved standards of health and healthcare. Health is a key issue for Scotland's women, as 10% of them work in this sector, and all women are users.
"Conference recognises, however, that it will not be possible to achieve this aim without tackling the shortage of staff in the NHS as a whole, and in NHS Scotland specifically.
"Conference urges the UK Government and the Scottish Executive to stand firm on its ethical stance of not seeking to recruit from developing countries which cannot afford to lose their trained health professionals.
"Instead, Conference believes that a recruitment and retention strategy based on the following core principles underpinned by sufficient resources stands the best chance of delivering what is needed in terms of both staff numbers and morale:
· employing NHS staff to deliver services in NHS Scotland;
· higher and fairer levels of pay aimed at uniting rather than dividing staff groups;
· coherent workforce planning at national (Scottish) level and with Unified Board Areas
· manageable workloads;
· equity of access to training and development irrespective of working arrangements or profession to help NHS staff perform their role and develop their full potential;
· positive measures to improve work-life balance;
· an improved and safe working environment free from discrimination, harassment and violence; 2001 Women's Conference Decisions 17
· the opportunity for all NHS staff in Scotland to be involved and engaged in the decision making process as it affects them.
"Conference calls on the STUC General Council and Women's Committee to use every opportunity to promote these core principles."
Amended Resolution No.27 - Recruitment and Retention of PAMS in the NHS
"That this Conference views with concern the current staffing crisis within the Health Service, in particular the acute staff shortages amongst the predominantly female Professions Allied to Medicine.
"Despite Government targets to increase the number of chiropodists, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and radiographers, the Service is still reporting vacancy rates of up to 8% for some professions.
"Conference believes that the Scottish Executive must address this problem urgently to ensure adequate staffing to allow the delivery of the standard of healthcare which the Scottish people expect and deserve.
"Conference calls on the Scottish Health Dept. to:
· undertake a practical workforce planning exercise to manage demand and supply of PAMS in NHS Scotland, which includes a recognition that a significant proportion of existing staff are approaching retirement age;
· enter into meaningful dialogue with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and the Universities to increase the number of PAMS training places;
· encourage employers to seek to retain PAMS staff by actively addressing areas such as: career pathways for older as well as newly qualified staff, appropriate grading, adequate reward for expanded and advanced roles and implementation of flexible working and family friendly policies;
· run an awareness campaign not only to encourage more students to train to become PAMS but also to urge those PAMS who have left the NHS to return;
· ensure that new money is made available for the recruitment and retention of PAMS in order that funding is not taken away from other staffing areas of equal shortage."
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Amended Resolution No.29 - Promoting Public Services
"That this Conference welcomes the Government's second Comprehensive Spending Review. High quality public services are essential to women. But public/private partnerships, externalisation, sell-offs and Private Finance Initiatives undermine initiatives tackling discrimination against women public service workers.
"For the 21st century, we need public services that address women's needs as workers and users, encompassing the following principles:
(a) democratic accountability in planning and delivering local services;
(b) effective service delivery underpinned by a commitment to directly employed staff;
(c) adequate funding and measures to address the historic shortfall in public investment;
(d) equality of access for all the community;
(e) fairness at work through protecting pay, conditions and pensions and eliminating low pay, and investing in training for public service workers, including those transferred to and employed by contractors;
(f) partnership at work and workforce involvement based on recognition consultation and negotiation.
"Conference calls on the Women's Committee to:
ensure STUC campaigning on public services addresses women's concerns;
promote the importance of public services to women;
highlight the importance of fair wages, training and equality provisions in public contracting;
lobbying for the provision of earmarked funds for public sector equal pay initiatives;
lobby for a statutory duty on public authorities to promote equality."
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Amended Resolution No.30 - Women and Public Life
"That this Conference is outraged at the recent appointment of two more men to the Scottish judiciary when there were high quality women candidates.
"Conference condemns the social conditions, which perpetuate the lack of progress made by women in public life where the glass ceiling is more impenetrable than ever. The failure of some political parties to ensure 50/50 representation in the Scottish Parliament lends a false legitimacy to the overall under-representation of women in public life.
"This is especially serious when it is acknowledged that young women are still out-performing their male counterparts in National Examinations so ensuring there is no lack of suitably qualified women to fill public posts. Conference, therefore, calls on the STUC Women's Committee to continue to campaign for processes that will enable a wider representation of women in all key decision-making areas and a strengthening of democracy at all levels so that women can make a difference across society. This should include increased diversity among our women representatives, so that more black and ethnic minority women, women with disabilities, lesbians, and women from a wide range of ages and backgrounds can participate."
Resolution No.31 - Scottish Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Leather Industries
"That this Conference notes that, despite the recent spate of job losses, textile, clothing, footwear and leather is still a major industry in Scotland, employing mainly women.
"Conference believes that this industry, along with others in the manufacturing sector, are vital to the future strength and stability of the Scottish economy.
"As such, Conference calls upon the STUC Women's Committee to:
continue to press MSPs and MEPs to support initiatives and policies which will promote and strengthen the textile, clothing, footwear and leather sectors;
continue to press the Scottish Executive, UK Government and European Union to oppose short and long-term barriers which restrict export opportunities for Scottish manufacturing;
continue to support efforts to boost training and innovation, as well as promoting greater utilisation of new technology in the industry."
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Resolution No.32 - Poverty and Social Inclusion
"That this Conference welcomes the many measures which the Scottish Executive have put in place as part of its strategy to reduce poverty in families in Scotland.
"Conference believes that it is essential to listen to the voices of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged if there are to be lasting solutions and improvements in their quality of life.
"Conference asks the Women's Committee to continue to work with the Scottish Executive on this issue, but to also initiate discussions with organisations working in this field, including the Scottish Poverty Alliance, with a view to:
a) jointly working with women and organisations in different localities in Scotland on key areas of STUC policy in this area
b) organising a conference to explore the impact of Scottish Executive policies in addressing the realities of poverty in Scotland, and
c) preparing a briefing for trade unions to enable more effective lobbying to take place."
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Composite B (Covering Resolution Nos.33 & 34) Domestic Abuse
"That this Conference notes that the largest increase in recorded violent crimes has been in domestic violence with 3.4 times more domestic violence crimes reported in 1995 than in 1981. In Scotland Women's Aid dealt with more than 55,000 calls to their helpline in 1998/1999 compared to 2000 in 1978/1979.
"Conference commends the publication `Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse National Strategy to address Domestic Abuse in Scotland (2000)' and approves the approach adopted in this strategy but is concerned about the ability of local authorities to sustain support for victims of domestic abuse. It is particularly concerned that victims may not have access to areas of safety for themselves and their children.
"It is clear that domestic violence is a major issue from both a social and health perspective and health professionals can have a key role in the identification and support of abused women.
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"Conference requests the Women's Committee to:
· continue the ongoing high profile work alongside other agencies tackling violence against women and, where appropriate, to provide training on this issue for members;
· promote to health professionals, via the affiliated health Unions, an awareness of the magnitude of the issue and an understanding of the management of abused women to ensure such vulnerable women are identified and receive the support they desperately need;
· encourage accredited representatives of affiliated health Unions, who sit on NHS Scotland partnership forums to highlight the need for local policies to deal with instances of domestic abuse, and to seek agree policies that also support staff dealing with this difficult area of work;
· continue to press the Scottish Parliament for adequate funding of groups working to support abused women;
· ensure all STUC affiliates are familiar with the document; `Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse National Strategy to address Domestic Abuse in Scotland (2000)' and urge them to publicise this and other efforts to end domestic abuse.
"Conference further requests that the Women's Committee approach the Scottish Executive and Parliament to enter into discussion on how best to maintain efforts to combat this pernicious form of discrimination and abuse."
Resolution No.35 - ROHYPNOL Date Rape Drug
"That this Conference calls for restrictions of the availability of the so called `Date Rape Drugs'. We ask Conference to note that a 1999 Scotland Yard investigation found that the drug ROHYPNOL was increasingly being used in incidents of date rape and that research by the Home Office has indicated that date rape now accounts for almost 50% of all reported rape cases.
"Conference supports the concerns of Victim Support and Women Against Rape in their opposition to proposals for a separate offence of date rape and believes that continued pressure should be put on manufacturers of these drugs to ensure that they are changed from their current tablet form to more detectable forms."
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Resolution No.36 - Definition of Rape
"That this Conference is extremely concerned at the ruling by Lord Abernethy at the High Court in Aberdeen that for a charge of rape to be proved there had to be evidence of either force or the threat of force being used. This judgement has highlighted the need for clarification of the definition of rape under Scots law to ascertain whether Lord Abernethy's ruling was correct and if it was correct, it would appear that the definition of rape under Scots law is different to that under the law of England and Wales which states that rape is `the having of sexual intercourse without the female's consent'.
"Conference also notes that a further implication is that where a woman is unconscious either through drink, drugs or natural sleep, but where it has not been proved that the accused has been shown to have had any involvement in producing the woman's state of insensibility, then it cannot be shown that any force was used to overcome willingness and therefore there is no rape. Whereas under the definition in the law of England and Wales, it could be concluded that if the women were asleep or drugged then she would not have consented and therefore had been raped.
"Conference believes that women have the inalienable right to be protected in law from those who seek to have sex with them without their consent.
"Conference calls on the STUC Women's Committee to work with other women's organisations and bodies to lobby the Scottish Parliament for either firm guidelines to be issued and adequate training to be given to the judiciary if Lord Abernethy's interpretation proves to be wrong or, if his ruling was correct, to lobby for changes to the law to give the necessary protection to women."
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Resolution No.37 - Child Prostitution
"That this Conference condemns the worldwide scandal of child prostitution and its increase in Scotland, which has an adverse impact on women.
"Conference:
· calls on the Scottish Executive to take urgent action to help eradicate the scandal of child prostitution;
· particularly condemns the fact that many looked-after children are involved in this outrageous exploitation;
· urges greater rigour in the pursuit of those adults who exploit these children;
· demands that local authorities take effective steps to ensure that looked- after children are not captured by this vile trade." Composite C (Covering Motion Nos.38 & 39) Asylum Seekers & the Voucher System.
"That this Conference is appalled at the treatment of asylum issues by certain politicians and sections of the media.
"Conference condemns the pernicious voucher scheme for asylum seekers in the UK, which is a further humiliation for vulnerable people, especially women, who tend to be the shoppers of the family. This scheme is humiliating to individuals, and by marking out asylum seekers, condemns them to racist and abusive treatment in our communities, which has led to physical assaults and the murder of Firsat Yildiz.
"Women, particularly new and expectant mothers, suffer disproportionately under the voucher scheme, which can only be used to purchase food. Sanitary goods, nappies, clothing, babies bottles and necessary equipment and over the counter medicines have to be paid for from the weekly cash allowance of £10.
"Conference, therefore, calls on the Women's Committee, to demand that this degrading system be replaced by a method of payment which maintains the dignity of asylum seekers and enables women to take care of themselves and their children appropriately."
Resolution No.40 - Violence Against Women in Iran
"That this Conference notes the worsening of state sponsored violence against women in Iran, in particular the barbaric judicial punishments meted out to women. Two women have recently been stoned to death in prisons in 2001 Women's Conference Decisions 25
Teheran and Evin. They were buried in pits and pelted with stones until they died. One was convicted of adultery and acting in pornographic films, the other was convicted of planning the murder of her husband with her lover, who was not stoned. Many more women have been sentenced to flogging for failing to conceal their fringe with a veil.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has denied the most basic rights of Iranian women. It has established a state of sexual apartheid in health, education and transport. The Government's exemption of small workshops from labour legislation particularly affects women workers, removing their protection against severe exploitation.
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"Economic hardship and high employment has driven many women, especially poor single mothers, into prostitution, for which they are hypocritically punished by the very regime that created their poverty. State engendered brutality towards women has created a climate in which serial murders of prostitutes are taking place in Iranian cities crimes that have been hailed as `purifying the Islamic nation' by some fundamentalist newspapers.
"Conference calls on the Women's Committee to make clear its condemnation of the State of Iran for its oppression of women. It calls on the Women's Committee to support and publicise Iranian women's struggles to stop judicial atrocities against them and to end the regime's restrictions on women workers. Conference also calls on the General Council to make representations to the Government requesting that it expresses its concern to the Iranian Government."
Composite D (Covering Motion Nos.41 & 42) - Palestine
"That this Conference is deeply concerned about the recent events in the Middle East. Conference is also concerned that women and children in Palestine are facing increasing poverty and distress because of the conflict, and calls for all possible steps to be taken to reach a lasting and peaceful solution, which will ensure that the people of Palestine have a decent quality of life and are able to peacefully co-exist with their Israeli neighbours.
"Conference welcomes the STUC delegation to Palestine that took place at an extremely difficult and dangerous time during the peace process. Conference re-affirms the policy determined by STUC Congress in April this year directed at providing solidarity within the GFPTU in its attempts to secure a peaceful solution which provides an independent and sovereign state of Palestine under the provisions of existing UN resolutions.
"Conference also pays tribute to the `Women in Black' network and worldwide movement of women against war, violence and militarism, which was started in Israel in 1988 by Israeli, Palestinian and American women protesting against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
"Conference calls on the Women's Committee to, with the STUC General Council, develop practical ways in which women Trade Unionists in Scotland can engage in solidarity with women in Palestine and Israel and establish a dialogue with women from the trade unions in the promotion of Congress policy on Palestine and the cause of peace in the Middle East region. Such discussions should include exploring working with both the Palestinian GFPTU and the Israeli Histadrut."
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Resolution No.43 - International Partnership
"That this Women's Conference, mindful of our European and International involvement wishes to confirm our support for Trade Union Rights.
"Conference is mindful also of our own achievements in the UK and Ireland in areas such as communication; representation; visibility; training; wages and conditions; work/life balancing; equality; job security; pensions; health & safety and environment. We know that this progress will be jeopardised if bad employers are able to play one set of workers off against similar workers in another part of the world.
"Conference believes that we need to focus our efforts in support of the following:
Human Rights * Individual and citizen rights * Employment with decent income * Clean environment * Right to education * Banning of child labour * Equal opportunity * Migrant workers * Free choice of employment
Workers Rights to:
- Be a member of a union
- Organise without interference from government or employer
- Collective Bargaining
- Safe and Healthy working conditions
- A minimum wage and a decent standard of living
- A limit on the number of hours worked in a week
- Strike
"Conference also believes that these human rights and workers' rights agendas must be used to the full in the continuing struggle to maintain and further improve Trade Union rights for women workers. To this end Conference calls on the STUC Women's Committee to develop a strategy of International Partnership, in order to maximise co-operation between the collective strength of Unions and Union centres, and for all who represent the members on outside bodies to be well versed and proactive in this important campaign."
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Statement Endorsed at Women's Conference
Participation of Women in the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts
The Women's Committee reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, and its solidarity with the US trade union movement, many of whose members died in the atrocity.
The Women's Committee endorses the right of the US government and relatives of the victims to seek justice in accordance with international law, and calls for the organisers of these attacks to be brought to justice before an international court.
The Women's Committee recognises the rights of states, including the UK, to take military action to protect the security of its citizens within the framework of international law.
The Women's Committee is, however, deeply concerned that the war in Afghanistan, aimed at apprehending those responsible for the September 11 atrocities, has caused death, injury and untold suffering for many women and children, innocent of any crime or atrocity.
The Women's Committee believes it is essential that urgently needed aid can reach the Afghan people and that resources be available to support the aid agencies and others working to get help to the victims of conflict and poverty.
The Women's Committee is also deeply concerned that women have little or no voice in Afghanistan, and draws attention to the recent Council of Europe seminar (Sept 20-21) which was held to initiate discussion on women, activities for peace and the reconstruction of post conflict societies.
The Women's Committee supports the need to involve women in peacemaking, peace building and conflict prevention, and reiterates that among world leaders there is a lack of appreciation and knowledge of women's peace-building activities in Europe and elsewhere in the world, most of which is undertaken by grassroots groups which are not always taken seriously by state structures or institutions.
The Women's Committee believes that in order to tackle poverty, injustice and human rights in Afghanistan, women must be involved in all decision making forums in the post conflict reconstruction, looking in the first instance to bringing members of the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan into the post conflict/peace building discussions which will be taking place.
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The Women's Committee reiterates the need to build support for campaigns for full rights for women throughout the world and, in particular at this time, full rights for women in Afghanistan.
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Statement Endorsed at Women's Conference
Chivas
Conference, Bill Speirs, the STUC General Secretary, referred yesterday (Tuesday 20 November)in his address to delegates, to the struggle of the Chivas workers who are in dispute with their employer. Chivas is the 3rd largest whisky producer in Scotland, who make immense profits, and they have refused to give their workers, the majority of whom are women, a penny pay rise.
This dispute has wider implications for the trade union movement, and we need to support the workers and their unions - GMB Scotland, AEEU and MSF - in their fight for fair pay. The company recently approached employment agency workers whom they currently employ offering 45% more pay to break the justified strike by the workforce. This type of action is shameful, and has no place in good industrial relations in the 21st century.
I am sure this Conference of women trade unionists would wish to send their wholehearted support and solidarity to their sisters and brothers at Chivas and to their unions, wishing them success in their struggle - and to the employers calling on them to honour the justified demands of the unions for a pay rise for their members.
Conference gave unanimous backing to the workers and their unions.
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REMITTED MOTION
Remitted Motion No.28 - Cancer Awareness Campaign
"That this Conference applauds and congratulates the hard work this movement has undertaken in the past, and will continue to do so in the future to bring about and negotiate in the workplace awareness of Women's Health issues, Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer.
"Now with corporate health in the workplace and partnership deals, Conference instructs the STUC Women's Committee to undertake the same kind of dedication and hard work to bring about awareness of the cancers that are affecting both younger and older men - Prostate Cancer and Testicular Cancer."
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