CTU MEDIA RELEASE
19 September 2007

Unions making the difference for working women

“Women joining together in unions continues to be a positive way to make a difference at work and to their lives outside the job,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“Women won the right to vote through standing up collectively over 100 years ago to put the issue on the table and campaign around it.”

“Women campaigning in unions in the last year have secured major improvements in female dominated industries such as nursing and midwifery, aged care, hospital service work and retail.”

“Unions are also actively working to improve the quality of all jobs, and to build women’s power at work, in communities and politically.”

“We have also seen gains that recognise the changing workforce, including extended parental leave entitlements, the consensus that has emerged around the right to request flexible work and other initiatives to promote work-life balance.”

“Women in unions are making a difference, and there is clearly a lot more to be done. A significant gender pay gap persists, and quality, secure work is not the reality for many working women.”

“This is best addressed by women acting collectively, and campaigning in unions,” Carol Beaumont said.

ENDS

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