UNISON, the largest organisation of women in UK, will celebrate International Women’s Day today (Wednesday), with workshops across Glasgow and an evening of music and entertainment.
The event, which is the first-of-its-kind in Scotland, will bring together hundreds of women from all over the UK to celebrate women and the vital contributions they make to society.
The workshops will take place across the city and will be followed by an evening of music and entertainment in The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow. Speakers at the event will include: UNISON Scottish secretary Tracey Dalling; UNISON Scotland convener Lilian Macer; STUC general secretary Roz Foyer and Jenny Gilruth MSP.
International Women’s Day also marks the first year in post of UNISON Scotland’s first female Scottish Secretary, Tracey Dalling.
Tracey Dalling, UNISON Scottish secretary, said: “International Women’s Day 2023 is our opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the vital contributions that women in our union make. Care workers, librarians, health workers, cleaners, school workers, and administrators are more likely to be women and are the core of what keeps our public services going. Their work is often undervalued and underpaid, but UNISON knows their true value.
“Women have always been central to trade unions and the fight for a better society. This year UNISON has secured some of the biggest pay rises for a mostly women’s workforce since devolution, we have finally settled the equal pay dispute in Glasgow, and women continue to join UNISON in their thousands. I want to make sure that women’s voices are heard at every level and we can all play our part in making it happen.”
Lilian Macer, UNISON Scotland’s convenor, said: “UNISON is proud to be the UK’s largest women’s organisation, campaigning on behalf of all working women.
“This first-of-its-kind event brings together women from across the UK to celebrate women in all our diversity and everything we have achieved together.
“Our collective strength has created positive change and progress on childcare, equal pay, maternity rights and menopause. We campaign to protect women from domestic abuse and sexual harassment, to promote equality in the workplace and in our communities, and for improvements to women‘s rights around the world.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The event – Celebrating Women in UNISON – will feature a series of daytime workshops across Glasgow including a women’s trade union history walking tour; banner making; creative writing; a discussion on the achievements and challenges of Scottish black women; tackling sexual harassment at work; and celebrating 30 years of International Women’s Day at the Women’s Library.
- UNISON is the UK’s largest women’s organisation. We mobilise our members in support of women’s issues here and across the world, and International Women’s Day, held on 8 March, is one of many opportunities throughout the year to celebrate the achievements of women and girls across the globe in every part of society.
- UNISON is Scotland’s largest public service union. Our 150,000 members work across public services – including local government, the NHS, education, police service, energy and water. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
For further information please contact:
- Trisha Hamilton: 07943 507 307 / t.hamilton@unison.co.uk
- Danny Phillips: 07717715277 / 07944664110 / d.phillips@unison.co.uk