Blog: We ’re not martyrs, we’re fighting for change

Think of the working-class women of Glasgow leading rent strikes in 1915. The machinists at Ford, downing tools to get what they deserved in the 1960s. And the Greenham Common peace protesters of the 1980s or the care workers taking to the streets to demand equal pay in 2018. Every International Women’s Day, all of us – women and men together – celebrate women’s history and recognise our global struggles. And we commit to keep working together to win. International Women’s Day this year is Monday 8 March and the theme around the world is #ChooseToChallenge, and that’s exactly what one million working women do every day through UNISON. Together, we take our place at the table, challenge the status quo and secure change that improves all of our lives. Right now, UNISON is fighting for a legal right to 10 days of paid carer’s leave from day one of the job, together with the right to request flexible working from day one, together with a decent system of affordable and accessible childcare that helps women stay in work. Why? Because it’s right and necessary. And, aside from an already yawning gender pay gap and over-representation among low-paid workers, women have been paying the price of this pandemic. Women are on the frontline keeping us safe through COVID – three quarters of our NHS is staffed by women, and we make up the overwhelming majority of care workers. Not to mention the thousands of other roles that keep our country running. Women in all jobs have ...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News Christina McAnea international women's day Source Type: news