CWU REPORT ON THE
2016 TUC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
th
th
9 -11 MARCH 2016 – TUC, CONGRESS HOUSE, LONDON
1. Introduction
The theme of the 2016 TUC Women’s Conference was: “Inspiring Women, Transforming
Working Lives”. The Chair, was Mary Bousted from the Association of Teachers and
Lecturers (ATL).
The CWU delegates in attendance were: Mrs Linda Roy (National Equality Officer); Ms
Catherine Chilcott; Ms Clare Drummond, Ms Kathryn Kelly; Ms Jacqueline Morrey, Ms Jean
Sharrocks (Chair of the CWU Women’s Advisory Committee); Vicki Turner (Vice Chair of the
CWU Women’s Advisory Committee); Mrs Julia Upton (CWU NEC) and Ms Pauline Granstan
(CWU Researcher).
2. Motions
There were 42 motions on the main agenda pad. An additional 3 emergency motions were
admitted as follows:



Emergency Motion 1: “Violence against women in the world of work” by the NUJ
Emergency Motion 2: “The impact of domestic violence on women’s working lives”,
by Prospect.
Emergency Motion 3: “Sarah Reed Campaign for Justice”, by PCS.
All the motions (as amended, except the amendment to motion No. 38 “Sexual assault on
trains and stations by TSSA) including the three emergency motions were carried. The
amendment to Motion No. 38 by TSSA fell.
The Motion selected to go to TUC General Conference was Composite No. 1 (motions 1 and
2) on “Women organising against the Trade Union Bill”.
3. Published Research
The summary of a published research report on “The Motherhood Pay Penalty” was
included with the papers given out at Conference. A copy of the report is housed in CWU
Library.
4. CWU Speakers on motions
Linda Roy, CWU National Equality Officer (NEO) seconded motion No. 3 on Women in the
Labour Market. The NEO reminded conference of the persistent inequality in the labour
1
market in terms of pay and other remunerations for women. Job segregation, feminised
work force and unequal pay played a significant part in the continued deterioration of
women’s labour market prospects. Linda, encouraged more young women to enter into
STEM courses.
Viki Turner supported Motion No. 15, “Impact of austerity on opportunities for flexible
working”.
Jacqueline Morrey spoke on Motion No. 16, “Female Carers”.
Motion No. 40 by the CWU on “Campaign against female genital mutilation”, was moved by
Jean Sharrocks. The motion as amended by ATL and The Royal College of Midwives was
accepted.
5. Guest Speakers

Francis O’Grady, General Secretary of the TUC welcomed the Midwife Union to the
TUC for the first time. Ms O’Grady encouraged delegates to: (a) fight the proposed
trade union balloting system being introduced by the Tories; (b) Vote for working
people and staying in the EU and (c) we should keep being organised, keep pushing
for equality.

Liz Snape, President of the TUC

Jane McAlevey, Union Organiser successfully organised low paid workers into the
trade union movement in the United States.

Kate Green, MP and Shadow Women and Equalities Minister addressed Conference.

There was a panel discussion on Thursday 10th March
6. 2016/2017 TUC Women’s Committee
The following were elected to the 2016/2017 TUC Women’s Committee:
SECTION A
NAME OF CANDIDATE
UNION REPRESENTED
Tracy Barlow
Ruth Cross
Kathy Duggan
Cheryl Gedling
Mary Jane Herbison
Diana Holland
Community
USDAW
NASUWT
PCS
RMT
Unite, the Union
2
Vicky Knight
Evelyn Martin MBE
Lucia McKeever
Heather McKenzie
Deborah Reay
Linda Roy
Samantha Rye
UCU
GMB
UNISON
NUT
ASLEF
CWU
FBU
SECTION B
Dayna Edwin
Susan Matthews
Sujuta Patel
Eleanor Smith
GMB
Unite, the Union
USDAW
UNISON
SECTION C
Lorraine Parker Delaz Ajete
GMB
SECTION 3
Natalie Linder
Royal College of Midwives
Congratulations, once again to the National Equality Officer for being re-elected to the
TUC Women’s Committee.
7. Credentials
There were :




290 registered delegates
32 registered visitors
11 trade councils
4 media
Conference closed on Friday 11th March 2016 at approximately 3.30 p.m.
Adobe Acrobat
Document
Adobe Acrobat
Document
RD16-06-53
10th June 2016
3