Delegates’ at the opening session of the TUC conference in Manchester today supported a call from the TUC Women’s Conference for a joint trade union campaign that builds on the TUC ‘Protection from Sexual Harassment’ guidance, by supporting and training reps and members who have suffered abuse.

Newly elected TUC General Council member Ruth Cross – Usdaw Equalities Officer says: “Today the TUC sent out a strong message by making the issue of sexual harassment the first item on this week’s conference agenda. The #metoo movement put the media spotlight on the issue and it is vital that we keep up the momentum, as we have much work still to do.

“We know how hard it can be for women and men who have faced harassment to speak up about what has happened to them and most sexual harassment still goes unreported. We are determined to change this and we will continue to give a voice to and support members of our union who are in this situation, including working with employers towards a working environment that is free from discrimination and abuse.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion