TRADE UNION DESK: A woman’s place is in her union

There are now more women than men in Ireland’s trade unions, representing a potential game changer for the movement, writes Ethel Buckley, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary.

The majority of trade union members in Ireland today are female. While this is reflective of the changing workforce, new research shows it is indicative of very positive and favourable attitudes to unions among workers generally and, in particular, among female workers.

The research was carried out by academics, John Geary and Maria Belizon, in UCD and found: “The growth in female participation in the labour market is matched by growing numbers of women joining trade unions… Union membership is increasingly becoming a female phenomenon. There are now more women than men in trade unions.”

It confirmed that over 50 per cent of women who are not currently members would support the establishment of a union in their workplace. These trends were underlined in work later carried out by polling specialists Ireland Thinks. This revealed a strong preference for union membership across the workforce, with 62 per cent supporting a union presence in their workplace.

In terms of the future growth of trade unions, it was striking that the preference for union membership was stronger among both female employees and younger workers. This represents a potential game changer for the trade union movement, in terms of recruitment and development.

However, the very positive research findings should not make us in any way complacent. While the majority may be well disposed towards membership, this does not automatically translate into actual members. There are several barriers and obstacles to be overcome before that happens.

Ireland is currently one of the most hostile countries in Europe, indeed in the OECD, for workers who want to form a union in their workplace. The State’s weak labour rights mean that antagonistic, anti-worker employers can block, obstruct, and frustrate attempts to unionise. These employers hold a de facto veto on efforts to establish greater democracy and collective bargaining rights in the workplace.

However, as highlighted by Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy, in the most recent issue of eolas Magazine, the coming months will see a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end this undemocratic veto, through the transposition into Irish law of the EU Directive on Adequate Wages.

“The main beneficiaries of any enhancement of workplace rights and a stronger collective voice for workers are likely to be women and young people.”

Ethel Buckley, Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU

Nonetheless, even with increased rights and protections, individual trade unions will still have to undertake the hard work of organising. This will require increased resources, dedication, patience, and perseverance – sector by sector, workplace by workplace.

We in SIPTU know only too well the hard yards of organising a non-union workforce in a challenging environment; our successful unionisation of the home care and early years education and care sectors being recent cases in point.

As is evident from the history of the movement, the main beneficiaries of any enhancement of workplace rights and a stronger collective voice for workers are likely to be women and young people.

In tandem with the critical work of organising, the wider union movement must also demonstrate its clear relevance to women workers across all areas of our economy and society. It can only do so by being visible, vocal, and active on the key issues that matter to them – be they workplace challenges or those occurring in society generally.

That means we must lead debates and act on key challenges such as the cost-of-living crisis, pensions, the housing emergency, healthcare, the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

In the coming months, we will see a referendum on gender equality and the removal of the constitutional reference to a woman’s place being in the home. As with the marriage equality and right to choose referendums, we should work with allies to achieve a progressive result.

We know that reactionary elements will attempt to exploit the initiative to mobilise support for their regressive agenda. We must ensure their campaign gains no ground.

But there is a larger issue at play. The referendum provides the opportunity to reshape the constitution to create a more progressive framing of gender and care issues. People are living longer, and this is a good thing. But as society ages, the politics and economics of care will come increasingly to the fore. This will impact hugely on women at home and in the workplace.

Now more than ever, the trade union movement must commit resources and mobilise around a national campaign that prioritises and supports caring, that supports women and fully values their work – in the workplace or the home. A campaign that delivers one message above all: A woman’s place is in her union!