Packing a punch, in the shortest month

Time’s up – or the time of our lives? Like every other month since the dawn of time, women were at the centre of things in February. Everyone got excited about the 100th anniversary of those women over 30, who owned their own houses, getting  the vote. And with beautiful happenstance, it coincided with the country’s biggest women’s organisation holding its biggest ever women’s conference. Yes, the women of UNISON met in Liverpool with general secretary Dave Prentis  praising “the biggest gathering of women trade unionists in this country” and President Margaret McKee hailing them all as ”amazing women”. And the variety of debates reflected the variety of delegates, whether it was women working in technology, science and engineering; opposing the tax credit rape clause;  voting to fight for refuges or supporting older female workers. There was even a guest appearance from a suffragette descendant. Learning from history History was everywhere in February (isn’t it always?). It was also LGBT History Month – a chance to celebrate LGBT lives and culture in order to challenge prejudice and build equality. And this year’s event took place amidst a whole calendar-worth of anniversaries. It was the 30th anniversary of the UK government passing Section 28, the notorious piece of legislation that prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality”. Ten years earlier, Harvey Milk, the first out gay councillor in the USA, was murdered. On a bright...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News fair pay now health care higher education LGBT history lgbt memb local government local government pay 2018-19 pay up now unison women women members Source Type: news