SPECIAL DAY FOR GMB WOMEN MEMBERS

You and a female friend are invited to a day particularly aimed at GMB women members

The GMB has a long and proud history of representing the best interests of its female membership.  They acted as a trail blazer when they were the first trade union to take legal action  to fight for  women to get equal pay for doing work of equal value to a man’s.

As an ongoing commitment to its women members, the GMB Birmingham Region introduced a Women’s Charter. Our Charter is re-prioritising GMB’s ongoing campaigns against equal pay and domestic violence as workplace issues and places women’s concerns high on the Unions political agenda.

The GMB launched its Women’s Charter in October 2005 at a Women’s Conference held at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Attended by women members from across the West Midlands who discussed issues which affected them in their workplaces as well as in society. The Charter aimed to communicate its commitment to women’s issues.

The basis for the Women’s Charter stems from the outcome of extensive research undertaken by Ann Rixom, GMB Organiser, into women in the GMB; this research work contained numerous recommendations for change, several of which of are heralded within the Charter. The idea behind the Charter is to make employers more accountable in undertaking equal pay audits and ensuring the GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region are also accountable to and truly represent actual and would be Women Members.

Since the launch in 2005 Ann Rixom has met regularly with lay delegates and the Birmingham Regional Secretary, Joe Morgan, to ensure that all possible action has been taken to implement the charter.

GMB Birmingham & West Midlands region are holding a Women’s Conference for all GMB women members at Walsall Street Academy, 1 Poole Street, Walsall, WS1 2EN on Saturday 6^th October 2007 10.00am to 4.00pm. By attending the event all women will have the opportunity to?

• Meet other women in a comfortable environment

• Learn New Skills
• Enjoy new treatments / experiences provided free of charge
• Share your concerns and receive practical problem solving advice
• Give your opinion on things that matter to you
• Receive free gifts

• Have expert and up to date advice on your rights at work.
• Receive practical support in keeping you and your family healthy and safe.
• Learn about the various roles within the GMB and how you can become involved if you are interested.
• Have a greater understanding and say in the GMB and what our Union does for Women

Childcare provision is available and a buffet lunch will be provided. We will try to provide transport from a location convenient to you; independent travellers will be paid expenses.

Once we are confident we have fully implemented all of the aspects of the Women’s Charter the GMB will continue to progress the wishes, aspirations and requirements for its ever growing women membership.

Ann Rixom, GMB Organiser of the GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region commented “The GMB has had great success since the women’s charter was launch in 2005 and would like to encourage all GMB women members to attend this special day arranged for today’s working women.”

-Ends-

Contact: Ann Rixom, GMB Organiser or Samantha Jones, Press Officer on 0121 550 4888.

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