NOCHALLENun was madero me Labour Government's and TUC's SOCIaL COntraCE the 471h Women's TUC Conference weymoul last week opposite; motions on cuts and unemployment [decided to be relevant to women only after a debate on conference floor! accepted the The TUC took the opportunity of the Conference to issue its new 14-point charter for women workers. It is now a bit more in line with the Working Women's Charter, published a full three years ago by the London Trades Council. New additions include demands for free contraception advice and abornon facilities through the health service, and for women's pension schemes to be equal with those offered to men.
A proposal that the Women's TUC Conference should be abolished brought to the fore all of the illusions held about women's posiAlthough defeated, supporters of the motion negotiations, a woman will always zer more our o a man than another man will CONFUSION The same confusion arose in the denate on wherner to increase ine number or seats Jor women or General seven. I was passea despue preas from Len Murray to leave it to the wisdom of venera counch.
The Benyon anti-abortion Bill arousee some feelings at the Conference. Delegates called on the TUC to take immediate decisive action.
However at the end of the day.
Conference was little more than a talk shop. This was quite cleariy illustrated at the Conference when Chairperson Marie Paterson refuConference quite happily passed motions against racial discrimination and for increased participain tion of women. Yet a woman who has played an active part in a strike oJ Asian workers - now in is zolr was unable to speak weekbecause she was not a delegate'. And this in a week when four strikers have been arrested on the Dicker une inree muncuons nave been served against pickets outside a chemist snop, and ine waote matter nus oeen made ayooroar in the High Court.
The APEX delegation, who did not push for Sister Desai to speak, were reduced to collecting for the outside the hall.
Marie Paterson miserable collection of £80 Urom over 4u delegates she nadine audacity to say that Sister Desai's vas nad nor been a val.
The strike is now at a crucial stage and promises are not enough.
When London Federation of announced Grunwick strikers support in action.
the strikers. More promises for action have come onowing a meenne oerweer the Greater London Association of rades councus and ine vort AUEW. will believe all these promises when it sees the Grunwicks have been given consistent and strong backing by the National Association for Freedom.
It is a pity the TUC et al cannot For President. give such determined support to Esterton