Kate has been a member of STUC Women’s Committee in one of
two Trades Union Council seats for the past two years. She was re-elected
unopposed for a further term.
Delegates discussed a wide range of issues affecting women
as workers, as trade unionists, as mothers, as carers. As always there was a
focus on women’s health, highlighting that employers are still not addressing
the needs of menstruating and menopausal women, pregnant and breastfeeding
women, with calls to lobby employers and government for change. The shameful
increase in the gender pay gap was also highlighted, alongside the rise in
violence towards women and children and the impact on women nationally and internationally of
patriarchal and class based oppression. And of course, combating the far right
was a key theme which ran through much of the conference.
The STUC Women's Committee Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections was also launched at the Conference.
Kate spoke in three debates on day 1. Below are brief
reports on each of them.
Celebrate the Sex Discrimination Act with courageous
conversations about women’s rights
As delegate from ATUC Kate spoke to support a celebration of the Sex
Discrimination Act (now subsumed into the Equality Act) but also to recognise
the challenges in progressing women’s equality.
She pointed out the similarities to the ATUC motion from
last year’s conference, also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the
Sex Discrimination Act.
Kate said, “Women make up a large and growing number of
trade union members and yet we are still disadvantaged in a myriad of different
ways in this patriarchal society which, despite decades of struggle, still
privileges men”.
She called for a recognition that in certain circumstances,
women, as an oppressed group in a male dominated world, need to be with other
women who share our experiences.
She asked for open and respectful dialogue as to how women’s
rights under the Equality Act can be fully implemented without disadvantaging
other vulnerable groups.
“In celebrating the Sex Discrimination Act we have to have
courageous conversations across the trade union movement,” urged Kate.
