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(3)
The questionnaire procedure has played a key role in enabling union members to evaluate
whether they should bring a claim of discrimination, and has ensured employers disclose important
information relating to company procedures and policies.
(4)
Conference welcomes the development of Union equality reps. Conference believes that
Union equality reps need a framework of support to ensure that they are supported in the work that
they do. We should work hard to develop regional and national networks of Union Equality Reps.
(5)
Conference believes that we must work hard to achieve statutory recognition for Union
Equality Representatives. We must continue to press the case with the current Government as well
as ensure statutory recognition is a priority commitment for the next Labour government.
(6)
Conference calls on the GFTU to campaign for employment rights from day one, continue to
oppose the use of Zero hour contract by employers, abolition of fees for employment tribunals and
for collective rights to organise and negotiate through a trade union for better pay, terms and
conditions and lobby the next Labour Government to make them unlawful.
(7)
Conference resolves to work with afffiliates to develop a charter for equal rights,
employment rights and collective bargaining in order to rebuild our machinery for equality.
Resolution 23
Women in Manufacturing, Engineering & Science
(1)
Conference is deeply concerned at the ongoing occupational and job segregation existing in
manufacturing. Women make up just under a quarter of the UK manufacturing workforce, as
compared with nearly half of the total UK workforce.
(2)
Although women play a key role in UK manufacturing sectors such as the food, drink and
clothing sectors, the segregation is stark in science, engineering and technology (SET) with just one
in twenty working women and one in three men, employed in any SET occupation. Among younger
workers, women account for just 3 per cent of apprenticeships in engineering but dominate in low
paid sectors.
(3)
Many women face problems with up-skilling, remain in lower grades and too few are
employed in the management and research functions or are SET students and graduates resulting in
loss of valuable skills.
(4)
Conference supports initiatives such as those to get more young women to consider a career
in engineering and the science sectors.
(5)
There is a lack of information on issues facing women in manufacturing, including working
patterns and health concerns as recent research has warned and PPE is often inappropriate and
inadequate for women working in manufacturing.
(6)
Conference therefore calls on the GFTU Executive and Affiliates to:
•
share best practice between unions and support shop stewards and union reps in tackling
women’s under-representation and ending job segregation within manufacturing;
•
support initiatives to get more women into engineering and science apprenticeships;
•
urge the government to fund decent and well paid apprenticeships leading to permanent
employment, including positive action for young women;