Usdaw’s original motion was composited with sister unions: CWU, FBU, Musicians’ Union and ASLEF. The composited motion also called for:
- Legislation for new measures to boost rights for flexible working, bringing in more pay transparency and toughening employee rights to get information on pay.
- Increased, affordable childcare provision for parents and carers who work non-standard hours including nights and weekends.
- Ensure access to affordable childcare for all, including access to wraparound childcare.
- Introducing concrete measures to ensure that the cost of childcare is reduced.
Addressing the conference,
Di Howard – Usdaw delegate said: “I'd like to say a little bit about what it's really like to juggle work with caring in a job like retail. A lot of the caring women do is completely invisible to most employers, managers and colleagues. Yet it shapes our working lives. It often decides the kinds of work we can do and when we can do it.
“I know from supporting women members in my workplace who are bringing up children and caring for others, that the effort they put in to making themselves available for, and on time for work, is enormous. It often means getting up very early, or going to bed very late, and regularly arriving at work having had very little sleep.
“It means putting a lot of effort into scheduling care around work, using wall planners, calendars and diaries. Women tell me the juggling required often leaves them feeling like headless chickens, robots or machines, with no time between work and care for themselves, to socialise or spend quality time with friends and family.
“Workplace policies help, of course they do. Trade unions do a great job negotiating flexible working agreements that make a big difference to women's working lives, but women working in part-time, low hours and low paid jobs, who are worried about holding onto them, are often too afraid to ask their employer, or indeed their union for help.
“Usdaw welcomes the Labour Party's New Deal for Working People, which will make it easier for unions to organise in the workplace, and enable reps, like me, to support, protect and improve rights for women who are worn out with juggling work and care. We also welcome their commitment to review parental rights, but in doing so please don't forget about carers. The review must commit Labour, to implementing stronger and more effective rights to care-friendly working that explicitly values all women workers, no matter where they work, or what kind of job or contract they have.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades
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