Women and Decision making in Trade Unions David Joyce Congress Equality Officer

Tipping the balance..? Total membership: 812,848 Of whom 414,719 are female i.e. 51%

Equality Audit first equality audit with a major focus on gender. Out of a total of 52 unions, 18 unions responded to the survey. 82% of the total trade union membership on the island 12 public sector unions, 3 private sector unions 5 unions that cover both the public and private sectors.

Equality Audit 1

Equality Audit 2 Union Activity President VP NE Officer NE Member RC Officer RC Member BC Officer BC Member SS HS Other Total Male Female

Equality Audit 3

ETUC ETUC represents more than 60 million workers across Europe, just over 40% of whom are women. Actions to promote gender equality and gender mainstreaming Since 1993 a series of detailed, in-depth studies on the position and representativeness of women in trade union structures, in order to: –have an overview of the situation across its membership; –appreciate the specificities that exist within the various trade union structures and across different countries; –understand the many obstacles that are in place and prevent women accessing their rightful place in trade unions. –Most importantly, these studies have helped ETUC to identify strategies and solutions to improve the situation.

ETUC Survey Results 22 confederations that reported a rise in their female membership, half of them experienced a general reduction in their respective trade union membership levels since 2008 of the 14 confederations that reported a fall in their trade union membership since 2008 only 3 of them also reported a decrease in their female membership. (attracting more women to their ranks is playing a crucial role in maintaining trade union growth). Trade union leadership, still considerably low in most of the trade union high level positions surveyed (presidency, vice-presidency, secretary general, deputy secretary general) and very little progress

ETUC Survey 2 trend of an increasing number of female workers joining the trade union ranks, reiterates the importance for unions to put in place specific measures to address women’s underrepresentation at decision-making levels. point to the need for a continued focus on gender equality within the movement and the importance of building upon the past achievements.

From membership to leadership: advancing women in trade unions project throughout 2010 has made a strong case for a renewed and strategic approach to achieving gender balance in decision-making and leadership structures, as a basis for union democracy and for realising gender equality at societal, economic and political levels. resource guide published to spread good practice cases and to support affiliates’ efforts to achieve gender balance (see: )

ETUC 10 point plan 1. Make the argument for gender balance as a core union priority. 2. Actively promote gender equality at all levels of the organisation through gender mainstreaming. 3. Introduce statutory rule changes on gender balance. 4. Prepare women for decision- making and leadership roles. 5. Engage men to build a consensus for balanced gender representation.

ETUC 10 point plan 6. Address the image and culture of unions. 7. Build union organisation so that women’s activism, involvement decision- making roles exists at all levels of the union. 8. Ensure that trade union organisations promote gender diversity through their own internal human resources. 9. Provide gender disaggregated data. 10. Take a strategic approach and develop concrete actions plans to improve gender balance, including

Upcoming Events March 4/5 th National Women’s Seminar March 8 th – International Women’s Day link up with Palestinian Women