Special Edition to Celebrate International Women’s Day – 8 March 2007 and final reminder to vote for the New UnionThere is still time to vote “YES” to the New UnionThere is still time to vote “YES” to the New Union to be formed by the merger of Amicus and the TGWU, but please post your ballot paper today!
The ballot closes on 7 th March -use your vote to join with members of the TGWU to form the most powerful and influential union in UK workplaces.
To mark International Women’s Day in 2007 Amicus is launching its new ” Let’s celebrate! Organising On Equal Rights At Work” Guide which is available to download at the Amicus Equal Rights Website or can be ordered through publications – The guide gives key equality and diversity dates in 2007 and tips for organising around the many events throughout the year which mark the development of progress towards an equal society. You can order copies of the guide by contacting the publications department on 020 84627755.
International Women’s Day is celebrated all over the world and in many countries it is designated as a national holiday. This day also marks the 1 st anniversary of the launch of the Amicus e-equality newsletter. Amicus is campaigning for International Women’s Day to be designated a bank holiday as the UK has amongst the lowest bank holidays, alongside some of the longest working hours in Europe. We believe that a bank holiday on International Women’s Day would celebrate and highlight the contribution that women have made and continue to make around the world.
We are also proud to be involved in international work to improve women’s lives and rights across the world. There are many women, particularly in developing countries, who live in abject poverty with no access, for them or their children, to proper healthcare, a decent education or paid work.
Amicus Equalities Department will be sending messages of support from Amicus members to women trade union members around the globe on International Women’s Day. If you would like to add a message of support to our women members in international unions please e-mail karen.cole@amicustheunion.org who will pass your message to them and then on 8 th of March we will email you the messages that we receive from women along with the result of the merger ballot as soon as it becomes public.
If you would like to find out more about our International Campaigns follow the link. International Women’s Day is a good opportunity to promote our international work in your workplace. You can talk to your Amicus Officer about how to go about doing this.
Alternatively, you can use this day to highlight our Equal Pay Campaign. The full time gender pay gap is 18%, and the part-time gap is even worse at 38%. Amicus believes that women have waited long enough for equal pay and that urgent action is required to address this. To find out more about our Equal Pay Campaign follow the link.
More information on International Women’s Day.
Download an A3 poster for International Women’s Day by clicking here further copies of this poster can be ordered from Liane Groves
Events
Scottish Women’s Convention
Amicus is supporting the Scottish Women’s Convention in celebrating International Women’s Day 2007, the SWC is hosting two exciting events, both to be held on 8 March 2007.
The first is an afternoon event from 12.30pm to 5.30pm to be held at Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road , Edinburgh . The programme includes a light lunch, high profile speakers, a question and answer session, and there will be time for networking.
The second event is an evening reception to be held at Edinburgh Castle from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. The programme includes light refreshments, speeches, and the SWC will launch its ‘Equal Pay Guide’ for women. You will also be offered the opportunity to view the Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels).
Places are limited at both events so please book early by contacting the SWC office on 0131 557 8950, or email:
Ireland Regional Women’s Committee
To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March 2007 the Ireland Regional Women’s Committee have designed a unique limited addition enamel pin in the colours of the suffragette movement (purple/green).
The badges will be sold for £2.00 (sterling) or €3.00 (euro) each (including packaging) with all proceeds in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness. Please contact Noirin Greene Amicus Regional Equality Officer’s office at Amicus 15 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Tel: 353 1 6611063 for order forms for the badges, we would hope that your section, branch or your employer will purchase as many of these unique pins as possible in order to support this very worthwhile cause.
Iraqi women’s event
Amicus is also sponsoring an Iraqi women’s event in London to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March there will be a vigil and demonstration in Trafalgar Square to raise public awareness about the plight, struggles and demands of Iraqi women. For more information contact: iraq_8march07@yahoo.co.uk
ACTSA Rally for Dignity
Amicus is also sponsoring the ACTSA rally for Dignity on Saturday 10th March 2007 in Trafalagar Square from 1 pm to 4 pm for more details.
TUC celebration
TUC is organising a celebration on Thursday, 8 March from 18:00 to 20:30 Location Congress House, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS for more details Date 03 March 2007 Time: 10:00am-17:30pm (doors open at 09:00am)
For more events and news on International Women’s Day see the Fawcett Society’s website
And finally
If you would like receive the e-equality Newsletter on a regular basis please contact Bridget Clemson, Equalities, with your e-mail address to be added to our contact list.
Please feel free to circulate this bulletin to other Amicus representatives, shop stewards and members.
Karen Cole, Amicus Research Officer Equalities, would also be pleased to contacted about any best practice or action in your organisation in relation to equality issues which can be included in the Newsletter.