trade WUNDESSEC uschulness Council THE WOMEN'S TUC discussed issnes that ranged far beyond its traditional concern with equal pay. taking up the questions of abortion, nurseries and taxation. JUDE WOODWARD reports.
Ibere has been criticism un the past of the Women's TUC on the grounds that its separale allowed male unionists ignore Certainly, the specilic problems of women at work and in the trade unions are general problems that are of concer to all working people, and not singly to women. But, this said, this sear's Women': TUC on 9 and 10 March did show its A pro-abortion motion caling on the TUC General to suppost the campaign for a woman's right to choose was carried unanimously. It pointed out that the alament cad a tap they disappeared, and demanded that the TLC call a demonstration larer There are suggestions tha he Women's TUC should t extended to three days. and that one of these should br allocated to workshop discussions on how the issues raised by the conference can be taken This would enable women bo their experience DE working in the unions and build support for campaigning including placing greater pressure on the TUC 10 mout actions around wom As it is, many women leave despite wide ranging discus cions and a general atmosphere of militancy, they have been lett with Jittle iden of what they can actually do This sear's canterence 150 discussed the importance of childture for mollis want? to work, and supported the proposa put forward in the recent TUC report on unde RESENTMENT There was discussion whether the married man's las allowance should be abolished. Delegates were united in their resentment of chis discrimini natory system of texation, but were concerned wbether it would be right to vote for a measure that would decrease the size of many men's pay packets.
There was debale about possible change in the Equal Pay Act to change the sense of equal work' to work of oqual value*. Although the conterence was in no doubt that the present Act did not solve all problems, a change of this nature would probably leave the determination ol equal rather than uniuns fighting for equal payIn general, women felt that whalever the criticisms of the Women's annual provide women great opportunity 10 Icar from each Cotier and to thrash out the andas where they need to apply pressure on the trade union movement.