79th Annual STUC Women’s Conference

A successful 79th Annual STUC Women’s Conference was held in the Concert Hall, Perth, in November 2006. Chaired by UNISON’s Sandra Kennie, the theme of the Confrence was Women’s Representation in Public Life, Politics and the Trade Union Movement. Nearly two hundred delegates, visitors and exhibitors participated in the Conference, which was addressed by Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Welsh Assembly Government, Margaret Curran MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business, former T&G Deputy General Secretary Baroness Margaret Prosser, and Karen Carlton, the Commissioner for Public Appointments, along with a number of sororal speakers. Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm MSP gave a valuable update to delegates on how the Scottish Executive is taking forward the recommendations of the Women and Work Commission.

A Special Session, held on the Monday afternoon provided delegates with an opportunity to meet and debate with women who sit on a public body, are leading political representatives or have made it to the top of their own trade union. All of these women had a trade union background and were able to speak on their own experiences, and progressing in politics, public life or in the trade union movement.

Conference had lively debates on women’s representation, pensions, the Gender Equality Duty, and women and the menopause. The Women’s Committee was pleased to present the Meritorious Award to Margaret Lawson of Amicus. Perth and Kinross Council very kindly provided a civic welcome and a civic reception for all delegates. The Women’s Social was amusing and entertaining, with delegations delivering aptly worded satirical songs, with the Women’s Committee’s Joy Dunn MC-ing proceedings. Thompsons Solicitors kindly sponsored the buffet during the Women’s Social, with Digby Brown Solicitors providing a drink for delegates. A fundraising raffle raised money for the Dignity Period campaign.

The Conference also elected the new STUC Women’s Committee, with the following individuals elected for the year 2006/07:

Janet Cassidy, National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers

Elaine Dougall, T&G Scotland

Margaret Fleming, Union of Shop, Distributive & Allied Workers

Cheryl Gedling, Public & Commercial Services Union

Natasha Gerson, Equity

Sandra Kennie, Unison:Scotland

Heather Lawrie, Fire Brigades’ Union

Tricia McLaren, Glasgow TUC

Gillian McVitie, Associated Society of Locomotive, Engineers & Firemen

Veronica Rankin, Educational Institute of Scotland

Pauline Rourke, Communication Workers’ Union

Agnes Tolmie, Amicus