University Hospitals Birmingham UNISON

WOMENS CONFERENCE was held 18^th and 19^th February 2010 at The Sage, Gateshead. The branches delegates where Jo Haynes, Jill Robinson.  Women's Conference brings together Women delegates from Branches across UNISON to discuss issues affecting us and direct the work of the National Women's Committee

Thursday

The conference started at 14.30 with an opening speech from Gerry Gallagher, Unison President.

We managed 3 motions during the afternoon and the session finished at 16.30., after which Jill attended the seminar on Trafficking and I attended the Human Rights seminar. The seminar was very informative and all delegates were in discussion, it was unfortunate that it had to end at 17.30. I obtained all relevant handouts which I will make available for anyone to see should they wish to do so.

That evening there was a West Midlands delegates get together but as we had been travelling since 7am we decided to go to our hotel and then out to eat, the West Midlands delegates were only providing light refreshment.

Friday

Two motions were submitted from the West Midlands Region:

• Motion 6 – Why Women Should Vote
• Motion 12 – The Women’s Chain Makers Festival

We thought these were particularly important motions but unfortunately both motions fell as there was no one from Region to move them. This was extremely embarrassing for the West Midlands delegates especially as there were some very good speakers.

Dave Prentis gave a very interesting speech concentrating on the role of women in Unison and their achievements. I was pleased that he mentioned Mary Locke several times during his address regarding Learning Reps and Life Long Learning, I think our branch can be justly proud that Mary achieved this with the UHB Trust.

The motions Women’s Conference voted to send to National Conference were:

• Motion 18 Women and Pensions
• Composite Motion A 27/28 Demand Change (Prostitution)

Jill and myself were very interested in Motion 17, Returning to Work after Maternity Leave, we did not realise that that employees can use KIT (Keeping in Touch Days) that was introduced in 2006. This allows those who are on maternity leave to go in to their workplace to be brought up to date with any changes that would be pertinent to their job.

We thought this would be an excellent item to include on our website, there is often a feeling of isolation when on maternity leave and on their return feel like a new starter.

A very thought provoking debate was Motion 23, Domestic Abuse, does UHB have a policy for this? Some ideas that came to mind were, a white ribbon day in support of victims of domestic abuse, and would it be possible to fund training for representatives to support victims, perhaps the branch could discuss?

Our Women’s delegates to National Delegate Conference for this year are Bev Miller and Eileen Best.

There were 2 more visiting speakers, Ceri Goddard from the Fawcett Society (Equal Rights) and Vera Bair, QC MP Redcar.

The bucket collection raised £226 for the Presidents Fund, £395 was raised for Rape Crisis and Haiti, to be divided equally.

The Women’s next year is in Harrogate, 17^th and 18^th February.

Jill and I extend our thanks for enabling us to attend this year.

Jo Haynes

For more information about Women's organisation in UNISON Contact Branch Women's Officer Jenny Hobbs