FLEXIBLE LABOUR MARKET WOMEN’S VOICES & TRADE UNIONS Trade Union Skillnet

Labour Force QNHS Q In Employment1,786,100 Employees1,485,600 Self Employed 289,400 Unemployedrate 14.7%

Labour Force QNHS Q Employees1,485,600: Women 769,200 (52%) Men 716,400 (48%) Self employed 80% male

Labour Force QNHS Q Women 769,200 Part time 302,200 (35%) Men 716,400 Part time 123,200 (13%)

Gender Pay Gap Latest official data published 2011 from 2009, CSO NES Average gross hourly earnings 12.8% pay gap

GAP /Economic Sector NES 2009/QNHS_Q12012 EMPLOYED Professional 32.4% 36,000 / 59,000 Finance 29.4% 54,000 / 46,000 Education 26.6% 192,000 / 45,000

GAP /Economic Sector NES 2009 Professional €19.33 €27.53 Average per hour

950,000 Non Members Rapid increase in SMIs/service industries Surge in worker exploitation Flexibilisation of labour market Declining Union Density Erosion of Union Strength Union Membership 568,525 Members (Congress) 289,466 Women(51%) 279,059 Men(49%)

Density Number of employees 1,485,000 Congress members 568,525 Congress density 38% ROI. Estimated all members 39.5%

Employees /Union Membership 1993/2012 CSO QHNS/Congress

Age Profile & Union Density ROI Age Group % Union Members 2008 % Union Members %43% %47% %37% %27% %16% %4%

Economic Sectors and Union Density CSO National Employment Survey Density levels highest in:  Education 70%  Public Administration & Defence 66%  Health & Social Work 61%.  Transport, Storage and Comms58%  Financial Intermediation 40%  Wholesale and Retail 34% Union density lowest in:  Hotels & Restaurants 9%.  Business Services 14%  Other Services 15%.

In Excess Of Three Hundred Thousand Workers Experiencing Extremely Low Pay Wholesale and Retail Hotels and Restaurants Business Services Other Services Construction … … Employed in sectors with low union density

We Face Major Challenges »Unemployment & underemployment »Erosion of social supports »‘Competitive devaluation’ »Pay thresholds under attack »Persistent pay gaps »Two tiered workforce: ‘Secure’ and ‘Precarious’ »Erosion of labour standards – rise of inequality & discrimination …

920,000 Non Members… 477,000 Women workers not in a Union

FLEXIBLE LABOUR MARKET Women in Unions

See greater benefit than men in terms of: »Providing job security; »protecting & furthering terms & conditions; »Improving pay; »Progressing legal rights; »Providing advice and information

But feel less sense of pride in Union… However, are more likely than men to positively promote union membership

Those researched valued their membership – though not totally satisfied with performance But they are passively rather than proactively involved Want unions to be powerful and are open to initiatives that can engage individual members in securing success Engaging

Want To See: »Better promotion of what union does; »More engagement with them through work events; »Active promotion of principles fairness/ solidarity; »Better address the issues they are concerned about Importantly…

Shop Steward/Workplace Rep Over 50% of those undertaking key union role of local representative/shop steward are women But not progressing through the democratic structures to leadership roles

10% Leadership (officials) Women An improvement on just 4% three years ago! 30% Congress Executive (minimum quota provides for 24%) 1/3 rd Union Officials 85% Administrative positions Snapshot Women in TUs …

Significant disconnect between union members and their organisations There is little knowledge or awareness of the union organisation ‘above’ the workplace Challenges Connecting (QUALITATIVE RESEARCH/AMARACH)

Women’s Representation at LEADERSHIP levels in Unions is a continuing challenge

Gender Balance Critical to Advancing TU Agenda »Modernising »Organising »Achieving an equal society

Are Women’s Voices Being Heard?