UNISON has almost one million women members - more than two thirds of our union. NTW Health branch has a vibrant women's network who regulary meet up to discuss and share whats happening around them. They also meet to discuss their particular concerns and develop proposals for promoting equality to feed into the wider structures. Women in these groups also provide valuable support and encouragement to each other. areas for discussion include harrassment, martenity, child care, domestic violence and/or general advice.
The government is proposing to accelerate the increase in the state pension age. The changes will mean that 4.9 million people will have to wait longer to get their pension – with 500,000 women aged 56-57 having to work more than an extra year, and 33,000 working for exactly two years longer.
UNISON will be campaigning against these changes, and Labour will try to amend the legislation in the House of Lords and in the House of Commons.
Click here to read the briefing from Rachel Reeves MP, Shadow Minister for Pensions and here for a pension table explaining the changes.
As part of the campaign, Unions Together have launched an online petition with a message from Barbara Bates, a 56 year old woman who is affected by these changes.
Click here to read Barbara's message.
Here is a link to the petition - www.unionstogether.org.uk/handsoff
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for latest newsletter please click here
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To participate please contact PAT HERON at heronpat13@yahoo.co.uk
National Women's Conference was held in February at the Sage Gateshead.
UNISON women's conference has long supported the call for more effective measures to support lone parents - nine out of ten of whom are women - and their families, including measures such as improving access to quality childcare and flexible work, and a benefits system which does not penalise working lone parents.
National Women's Conference Ballot Results
The result of the ballots conducted at national women's conference is as follows :
National women's conference representatives to national delegate conference : Eileen Best and Bev Miller
National women's conference motions to national delegate conference :
Composite A - Demand change!
Motion 18 - Women and pensions
