CWU takes centre stage in Scottish women’s trade unionism

Union Matters November 9 2018

Seasoned CWU Scotland No.1 branch activist Joyce Stevenson has been elected chair of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Committee for the forthcoming year.

Joyce’s influential new position at the helm of the committee – which brings together women from across Scotland’s trade union movement to provide a collective platform for movement-wide campaigning – was confirmed at the end of the last week’s STUC Women’s Conference.

During the preceding days the CWU had played an active role in passionate debate on a wide range of issues including the risks posed by technological advances that will lead to increasing automation, the impact of austerity on women, harassment, abuse and the particular challenge posed by the nation’s deteriorating mental health.

First time CWU speaker, Michelle Reid-Hay of Glasgow District Amal, moved a motion on behalf of the union’s Scottish Regional Women’s Committee highlighting an “alarming increase of mental health issues throughout the workplace” and the prevalence of mental health problems amongst women in
Scotland.

“Although many employers provide a level of support and assistance, this does not always include face-to-face counselling, and we believe this service is essential in tackling such an important issue,” Michelle told delegates in Dundee.

Backing the CWU’s call for the STUC Women’s Committee to “work closely with affiliates in collating information, to establish what employers currently have in place, and to provide a report at the earliest opportunity,”delegates agreed it was essential that unions work collectively to improve understanding and recognition of mental health issues in the workplace.

Progressing the terms of that CWU motion will therefore form part of Joyce Stevenson’s agenda for the coming year in her new role as STUC Women’s Committee chair.

Congratulating Joyce on her election after seven years on the committee and almost 40 years of active involvement in the CWU, UCW and UPW, the CWU’s Equalities Department said: “Joyce has been a wonderful ambassador for the CWU and is a committed trade unionist with an impressive track record of fighting inequality – so this is fantastic recognition for her and very well deserved.”