The TUC women's conference, held in Blackpool from Wednesday to Friday last week, saw both widespread support for the a trade union fightback against the Tones and lengthy discussion of social policy.
he most contentious motion was anne bro support act vine wie resolution did not support the act direct. ly, its emphasis was off-beam.
Wevertheless, the part of the resolubon that called on the TUC women's committee to monitor the act in operabon is obviously important.
so discussion on the wolfare state and Labour's indo The general council was instructed to ensure that any submission maintains the longstanding TUC policy of backing universal benefits and the contributory system, in opposition to targeting/means testing.
The important question of state retrement age was also raised. Given government mentors to equise poil ons that if should be raised to 67. conference endorsed the setting up of the State Pensions at 60 Alliance.
This group campaigns for retirement on full pension at 60 for both men and 31 pits The highlight of the conference was the intervention of Women Against Pit recerred a standing ovason after arquing forcibly that not one of the 31 hreatened pits should close.
Calling on other workers to join the NUM on April 2, she emphasised that he movement should be building for a Europe-wide day of action on that dato.
A delegate from the NCU argued that the sime for action hed come, and was backed by a delegate from the WW. A speaker from AMT said that issues and then coordinating any action with others unions.
Motions in support of the firefighters and against the Tomlinson London NHS cuts were both carried. There wore also calls to ben sex-chat lines and for legislation to safeguard women against toxic shock.
Birmingham NATHE members held a one day strike against new contracts earlier this month, forcing colleges across the West Midlands to cancel classes and send students home. The March 10 protest against increasing the current 30-hour working week and halving the 14 week