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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2014 :: RMTnews
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RMT member Ann Joss held
the position of Scottish TUC
Women’s Committee chair in a
year dominated by the
independence referendum.
The 2013 STUC Women’s
conference had hosted a panel
discussion with guest speakers
reflecting different views on
Scottish independence and the
STUC held ‘A Just Scotland’
events throughout the year
placing the rights of workers
and equality at the heart of the
debates.
Ann attended a Scottish
Women’s convention
consultative event in Skye, and
worked with the women’s
committee to promote the
‘Women’s Voices, Women’s
Votes’ campaign, encouraging
voter registration and
participation.
With 97 per cent of the
eligible population in Scotland
registered to vote by September,
the STUC had certainly played a
part.
“As we drew closer to the
independence referendum
women became more engaged
and politicised, many registering
to vote for the first time and
starting asking questions about
how this was going to affect
them.
“Childcare, pensions,
equality, jobs, communities,
health care, carers in the
community - it was all there
and questions needed answering
and we were given a once in a
lifetime opportunity to vote.
“Whichever way we all
voted, we can be proud of the
part that we played in the
process and we must continue
to harness that energy and make
our communities and our
workplaces an equal society,”
she said.
With concerns on women’s
employment, inequality in
public life, deteriorating health
and safety conditions and
budget cuts leading to further
cuts in essential public services,
the STUC women’s committee
also worked to build confidence
amongst reps including weekend
training schools.
Ann welcomed delegates to
the 2014 STUC women’s
conference in Perth which was
well attended with 125 delegates
and over 100 visitors and many
stalls.
“It has been a great privilege
and honour to have chaired the
committee this year,” Ann told
delegates.
She said that the struggle
against gender inequality, poor
pay, zero hours contracts and
human trafficking remained
high on the STUC agenda.
“The fight against
discrimination, pay gaps,
childcare, bullying and
REPRESENTING
SCOTTISH WOMEN
RMT member Ann Joss had a very busy year
as Scottish TUC Women’s Committee chair