SAFE IN THE WORKPLACE, SAFE AT HOME

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2017 :: RMTnews 18 Transport workers' pledged to fight sexism and keep women safe in the workplace, at the annual RMT women's conference earlier this month meeting on the Isle of Wight. Over 50 delegates passed key motions on the effects of cancer, the abortion act and had a wide ranging debate about violence at work and in the home during the two-day conference. Moving the unanimously supported motion on putting pressure on bosses to do more for employees suffering from cancer, Janine Booth, Finsbury Park said: "Studies show that night shifts increase risk of cancer so we need to raise that with employers during our collective bargaining units. “We also need to defend the NHS from Tory cuts,” she said. Cat Cray said that there were colleagues in the room who had suffered from cancer and criticised equalities legislation as "not going far enough". Ann Joss, Aberdeen pointed out that transport was a "male dominated industry" and there was a burning need to take the employer to task over the issue, referred to a fellow member who had had only a 10 minute "back to work" phone call after cancer had gone into remission. "We need to send clear message to every employer we negotiate with; that they will not treat members like they have done previously," she said. Sharon Petrie, Paddington No 1, who recently helped lead a strike by cleaners over sick pay, gave an emotive speech about looking after her husband who tragically died of cancer pointing out that work gave her no support or sick pay. Executive member Michelle Rogers said that this should be on everyone's agenda – “cancer doesn't discriminate and neither should we". Conference sent a strong message about abortion rights on the 50th anniversary of the act that allowed women the right to choose. Janine Booth said that abortion services have been cut under austerity. “We can't be complacent about the abortion rights that we do have. “Whatever your view is on abortion - it is the choice of the woman whose body is affected by it," she said. Safety of women members was a key focus of conference when national health and safety officer Paul Clyndes spoke of specific dangers faced by women in the workplace (see other article). RMT president Sean Hoyle urged the trade union movement to do more to combat violence against women at work and in the home. “These are not problems that trade unions should not shy away from they are by definition industrial problems. “If you are at home because of being a victim of domestic violence, you will be disciplined and the trade union movement has to do more and should come from places like this conference,“ he said. RMT general secretary Mick Cash praised the guards taking action in defence of their jobs on Southern Rail, adding: “This is the longest running dispute I have witnessed and I have been round since 1978. “I don't remember a dispute like this and our southern guards are making history, It is inspirational,” he said. SAFE IN THE WORKPLACE, SAFE AT HOME Annual RMT women’s conference debates sexism, safety issues and women’s rights