Trade Union Women's Conferences have not always, if ever, excluded men, ie. whether they identify as women or not.
My understanding is that if the Conference were to be advertised as being for women delegates only then men should not be eligible to attend as delegates.
However, men might still be eligible to attend if, for example, Union Women's Officers were also invited and any of the Women's Officers were men, ie. whether they identify as women or not.
I would suggest:
1) get a copy of your Union's Rule Book (usually available for download from Union websites) to see what it says about the Women's Conference and also any references to: definitions of men and women; how people might self-identify; gender; gender recognition; "trans inclusion"; non-binary; etc.
2) check how the actual Women's Conference is advertised and whether it mentions eligibility for attendance
3) See Section 57 of the Equality Act 2010, which covers Trade Unions
If it is called a "Women's Conference" then IMHO it is reasonable to expect that it is actually for women and only for women.
I do not think that I am being unduly cynical in predicting that some unions will try to wriggle out of providing a women-only Women's Conference, which will require fight-back by women within the trade union movement. I can think of several ways that unions could do this and stay within the law and other ways that are illegal but they are so ignorant of the law in this area that they will try them anyway.
If the union is going to be in breach of Section 57 in terms of the Women's Conference then contact the EHRC, which has powers under the Equality Act 2006 to enforce the Equality Act 2010:
Finally, find out when your union's next Rules Conference is going to be held plus the deadlines and processes for submission of motions and election of delegates. Rules Conferences are where the unions stitched up women (see your union's Rule Book) and is where they will stitch us up again if delegates are not in attendance defending women's rights. They can do this very easily and stay within the law, eg. just by renaming the "Women's Conference".
Thank you. I understand about speakers etc. it was the idea that anybody can be a delegate if they ‘identify’ as a woman. I didn’t attend this years annual conference but I am 99% certain that anything perceived as anti trans ( whatever that means) or not pro palestine would never get as far as the conference- if it isnt either of those topics its not deemed worthy.
🤔 just wondering when they will say put kibble on the free breakfasts menu for those who identify as animals
Would a trade union Womens Conference be breaking any law if it allowed men (transvestites etc) to attend ?
Some of My union members claim they do not need to heed the Supreme Court’s decision
Trade Union Women's Conferences have not always, if ever, excluded men, ie. whether they identify as women or not.
My understanding is that if the Conference were to be advertised as being for women delegates only then men should not be eligible to attend as delegates.
However, men might still be eligible to attend if, for example, Union Women's Officers were also invited and any of the Women's Officers were men, ie. whether they identify as women or not.
I would suggest:
1) get a copy of your Union's Rule Book (usually available for download from Union websites) to see what it says about the Women's Conference and also any references to: definitions of men and women; how people might self-identify; gender; gender recognition; "trans inclusion"; non-binary; etc.
2) check how the actual Women's Conference is advertised and whether it mentions eligibility for attendance
3) See Section 57 of the Equality Act 2010, which covers Trade Unions
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/57
4) and the Explanatory Notes to Section 57
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/notes/division/3/5/1/19
If it is called a "Women's Conference" then IMHO it is reasonable to expect that it is actually for women and only for women.
I do not think that I am being unduly cynical in predicting that some unions will try to wriggle out of providing a women-only Women's Conference, which will require fight-back by women within the trade union movement. I can think of several ways that unions could do this and stay within the law and other ways that are illegal but they are so ignorant of the law in this area that they will try them anyway.
If the union is going to be in breach of Section 57 in terms of the Women's Conference then contact the EHRC, which has powers under the Equality Act 2006 to enforce the Equality Act 2010:
https://jenkteach.co.uk/understanding-the-ehrcs-enforcement-powers-sections-20-and-23-of-the-equality-act-2006/
Finally, find out when your union's next Rules Conference is going to be held plus the deadlines and processes for submission of motions and election of delegates. Rules Conferences are where the unions stitched up women (see your union's Rule Book) and is where they will stitch us up again if delegates are not in attendance defending women's rights. They can do this very easily and stay within the law, eg. just by renaming the "Women's Conference".
Excellent analysis, Michael.
Have cross posted
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/are-you-for-womens-lib-dismantle
Dusty
Thank you. I understand about speakers etc. it was the idea that anybody can be a delegate if they ‘identify’ as a woman. I didn’t attend this years annual conference but I am 99% certain that anything perceived as anti trans ( whatever that means) or not pro palestine would never get as far as the conference- if it isnt either of those topics its not deemed worthy.
🤔 just wondering when they will say put kibble on the free breakfasts menu for those who identify as animals
Is a gay men's association required to exclude trans men?