in UNISON

AIM
To achieve equal
pay for women and
close the gender
pay gap.
UPDATE
Equal pay remains on the mainstream UNISON agenda, with
continued lobbying of government for effective measures to close
the gender pay gap.
The NWC requested that all service groups seek to ensure that this is
prioritised in pay negotiations, and highlighted the role of the
Equality Act and equivalent devolved legislation in pushing for
equality proofed pay settlements.
UNISON has responded also to the government consultation on
Section 78 of the Equality Act (pay transparency) and to the Select
Committee Inquiry into closing the gender pay gap for older women.
We were also involved in early discussions with the Government
Equalities Office (GEO) on related issues.
Information provided by UNISON was used to brief MPs in the July
Opposition Day debate on equal pay, and was referred to Labour Link
for the Labour Party Policy Forum.
Motion 9 : Women apprentices
Noted the underrepresentation of women in traditionally male-dominated apprenticeship
schemes. Called on the NWC to promote wider access to women in these areas.
AIM
To have greater
representation of
women in nontraditional
industries.
UPDATE
Information has been circulated on the TUC modern apprenticeships
campaign.
The importance of encouraging young women to enter nontraditional
careers, including through apprenticeships, has been
raised with the Government Equalities Office (GEO) as part of a
strategy for closing the gender pay gap.
Motion 36 : Petitioning the European parliament on retraining of women public sector
workers facing redundancy
Motion 36 was not reached. It drew attention to the possibility of petitioning the European
parliament on funding for retraining for public sector workers made redundant as a result of
government austerity measures. Called on the NWC to work within UNISON to organise
such a petition.
The motion was referred to service groups and to the international department.
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