UNISON
Being a BAOT member means you also belong to UNISON and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time
women and gender equity , withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council , and expand prison construction .
With the authoritarian right gaining political ground , there are few countries in the world where we can be complacent about the accessibility of abortions .
With over a million women in UNISON , we believe passionately in defending the right to choose . Access to abortion is a trade union issue .
Abortion is also a class issue . Rich women can always access abortion , whatever the legal status where they live . It is working class women who always suffer . It is no surprise that abortion rights are high in the priorities for UNISON ’ s national women ’ s committee .
As the UK ’ s largest organisation representing women , UNISON ran a webinar about defending abortion rights as part of our programme of events around International Women ’ s Day earlier this year .
It ’ s brilliant to see bold local leadership on access to abortion from Ealing , Manchester and Richmond Councils . They are to be congratulated for putting buffer zones in place to protect women from the protestors handing out leaflets and harassing vulnerable women .
UNISON wants to see a change in the law to see buffer zones to protect women in all such places . The right to have a safe abortion , in private and with dignity , should not depend on where you happen to live .
We will continue to speak out about attacks on women ’ s reproductive rights in the UK and internationally .
Words ANNE MCVICKER , chair of UNISON ’ s national women ’ s committee , and LIZ WHEATLEY , chair of UNISON ’ s international committee
Getting involved with our women ’ s groups
Abortion is not the only issue that UNISON women ’ s groups campaign on . In the past year , the group has run campaigns on workplace menopause policies , women ’ s safety and the gender pay gap . You may want to get involved .
There are women ’ s self-organised structures at national , regional and local level in UNISON . In these groups , women 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 .
At local level , many branches have women ’ s self-organised groups , and you should get in touch with your branch to see if you could join . However , each region also has a women ’ s group , which meets on a regular basis to develop policies to promote equality and encourage women ’ s participation at regional and branch level .
If you have a problem at work , BAOT / UNISON is there to help
Anyone can face problems at work , but if you ’ re a member of BAOT , you don ’ t have to face them alone . Whether it ’ s about bullying , duty rotas , flexible working , annual leave or sickness procedures , a BAOT or UNISON rep is on hand to help , wherever you work . We are also there to support in you case of disciplinary action , dismissal or redundancy .
For help and advice at work – or to find out more about our services – please contact your local BAOT / UNISON rep or go to www . unison . org . uk / get-help /.
If you need help at work 0800 0857 857 or www . unison . org . uk
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July 2022 OTnews 25