Women trade unionists in New York. Photo: The Kheel Center On March 8, 1857, women garment workers in New York City demonstrated against their inhumane working conditions and low wages. They were attacked by the police and dispersed. Two years later, the first female trade union in the US was formed by these women to […]
women’s history month

With the UK having just started its first full year under a Boris Johnson government, one of the dominant themes at conference was continuing austerity – because, aside from the announcement of a rise in the national minimum wage to come in the spring, election campaign promises to end austerity have yet to be realized. […]

Linda Elvin and Natalia Sukhram of Canterbury City local government branch are still fairly new to being active in UNISON. They have attended the regional women’s forum for the last couple of years, attended national women’s conference for the first time in February and have completed a number of the courses in the Branch Women’s […]

Meet Julia O’Connell, Branch Women’s Officer for Isle of Wight Local Government. This month we’re celebrating all things women, and what better way that to shine a light on some of our key women activists in the region? Our activists do thousands of different roles- from representing members in hearings, campaigning for equality in the workplace to leading local […]

Meet Cathy Roblin, the Women’s Officer from Southampton District Branch. This month we’re celebrating all things women, and what better way that to shine a light on some of our key women activists in the region? Our activists do thousands of different roles- from representing members in hearings, campaigning for equality in the workplace to leading local recruitment activities. So, […]

This month we’re celebrating all things women, and what better way that to shine a light on some of our key women activists in the region? Our activists do thousands of different roles- from representing members in hearings, campaigning for equality in the workplace to leading local recruitment activities. So, if you are a UNISON member and want to […]

Women born in the 1950s who lost out on their state pension when the government made retirement age 65 for both men and women are lobbying MPs later today (Wednesday). The changes introduced in 1995 have affected approximately 2.6m women now in their late 50s and early to mid 60s, who’ve had barely any notice […]

Let’s make a difference! Make everyday International Women’s Day and do your bit to ensure that the future for girls around the world is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Jo is a young member from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Justice branch. She is a member of the South East Young Members’ Forum and also sits on National Young Members’ Forum.

Why did you become a steward? What made you take this step? I became a steward out of frustration! I walked into a UNISON meeting in our workplace (arranged by a local organiser), I was a little late following a disagreement with my line manager; the organiser turned to me as I walked through the door and […]