This year we commemorate one of the longest and most wide spread industrial actions in the history of our island. At ten o’clock on the morning of August 26th 1913 the tram men who were members of the ITGWU walked off their trams and so began the infamous 1913 lockout.
One of the first groups to come out in support of the tram workers were the women who worked for Jacobs led by a young Rosie Hackett. This was not her first involvement in industrial action. In 1910, Rosie was one of several hundred women from the factory who went on strike and secured equal pay for women.
Each and every one of the many thousands of trade unionists who suffered great hardship during the lock out understood that in order to make progress what was required was solidarity and co-operation. Today, we face different challenges. However, I believe that Labour Women and SIPTU can also co-operate in order to achieve what I believe to be important goals that are based on our shared values.
Labour Women supports the SIPTU Equality Committee “Making Caring Count” campaign which seeks pension justice for women who have taken time out of the work for caring responsibilities. In 2012, changes in the state contributory pension resulted in a significant decrease for those who have an average of 48 or fewer yearly PRSI contributions. Women forced out of work due to the marriage bar have also been affected by this change. It is of vital importance that we identify a means to ensure pension justice for women and we look forward to working closely with the equality committee on this issue.
Public sector employers in areas such as health and education are by far the biggest employers of women. Inequitable cuts to public spending will affect women acutely leading to job losses, reduced income and diminished pension entitlements. Labour Women hopes to engage with public sector unions to develop alternatives and further the equality agenda for women.
Statistically, women are more adversely affected in economic downturns than men. Addressing this in our pre-budget submission, Labour Women have offered alternative cost-saving avenues to the Government, which have gender neutral effects.
Both SIPTU and Labour women are supporters of the Turn off the Red Light Campaign. In 2010 the Labour Party conference voted to support the Turn of the Red Light campaign. Today, thanks to the joint campaigning efforts of SIPTU, Labour women and the many other partners in the TORL campaign the government are undertaking a review of Irelands laws on human trafficking.
Labour Women and the trade union movement have a shared history and shared aims. With solidarity and co-operation with each other we have a much greater chance of achieving our goals.
