AT THE 89th Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) Annual Women’s Conference in Perth recently, over 200 trade union members, campaign exhibitors, visitors and guests took time to consider the priorities for campaigns in the year ahead.

Delegates from trade unions, trade union councils, workplaces and communities across Scotland contributed to debates on many different issues including tackling austerity; welfare benefits and social security; workplace policies on violence against women; the importance of collective bargaining in the workplace for protecting and extending employment rights; demands for more understanding of women’s particular health needs, including support in the workplace during the menopause; safety for women working and travelling on public transport; good health and support for women during pregnancy and pensions, including a strong focus on the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign.

Recent labour market statistics show a decline in unemployment in Scotland, but also a fall in employment — this reveals a rise in “inactivity” rather than an increase in the number of people finding secure and stable work.

Delegates made very clear that women in Scotland are not “inactive.” Women are juggling caring responsibilities, reductions in household incomes, holding down two or three or more part-time jobs, often still not reaching the tax threshold as incomes remain low.

“Inactivity” also masks the figures for those trying to return to or remain in further and higher education.

The increased casualisation of the labour market featured in a number of contributions from delegates as irregular hours and short-term contracts make it impossible to manage day to day, let alone plan for a secure future retirement.

Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman addressed the conference outlining some of the Scottish government commitments on the living wage; on the Fair Work Framework agreed jointly with employers; the STUC and government and on the extensive public consultation exercise on options for change in the implementation of the new powers on social security and aspects of the benefits system, following the Scotland Act 2016.

Conference delegates made clear that the Scottish government should not adopt measures which would perpetuate the inequalities within the current system but use the powers available to tackle discrimination.

Family and care work should be recognised, the brutality of the work capability assessment should be ended and government and the trade unions should work together to build a system based on dignity and respect.

Conference supported the PCS members in their call for increased staffing levels in a publicly delivered social security system, ending the privatisation of services.

One of the GMB delegates shocked conference with her personal story of losing her home following the death of her husband as a consequence of the changes in state pension retirement age, after a whole working life in a low-paid job.

A packed fringe meeting on women and pensions addressed by Margaret Ferrier MP and Lorna Binnie, Falkirk TUC and STUC women’s committee member, actively involved in the Waspi campaign, agreed to increase campaigning. Recognition was also given to the consequences of local government cuts, reduced working hours and the impact on local government pensions too.

Conference welcomed students from four schools in the area, through our link with the STUC Unions Into Schools project.

Powerful contributions from young women from Perth Grammar, Perth High, Forfar Academy and Woodmill High schools linked several generations to the Dangerous Women Project which is inviting contributions on the theme “What makes a dangerous woman” for a year, running through to March 8 2017.

Continuing with our commitment to international solidarity and linking with other women’s struggles, the STUC women’s committee is hoping to get a trade union women’s delegation to Palestine organised in 2017.

Another focus was on the dangers facing journalists and the media in Mexico, with an emergency resolution from the NUJ welcoming the publication of a new book Sorrows of Mexico, providing a platform for some of Mexico’s journalists to publish in English, giving voice to those facing brutality and violence for reporting on what they see in their own country.

Lydia Cacho, an award-winning human rights activist and journalist in Mexico, was given particular mention and the threats of sexual violence against women journalists was highlighted.

For many years the STUC Women’s Conference and committee have spoken of and campaigned on violence against women.

As we mark the 40th anniversary of Scottish Women’s Aid, it is timely to record the impact of funding cuts on public housing and the significance this has for women seeking alternatives to living with domestic abuse.

Conference focused this year on the particular impact living with domestic abuse has on the education of children and young people and also agreed to urge Scottish government, unions and employers to place tackling sexual harassment in the workplace far higher up the agenda.

“Safe at Home and Safe at Work” is the theme of a European TUC project which recently reported to a European trade union conference in Madrid and the acknowledgement of the trade union role in eradicating violence and abuse against women is most welcome.

The STUC women’s committee will be placing this high on our agenda too in the year ahead. Our members are campaigning now on social media throughout the 16 Days of Action through to UN Human Rights Day on December 10.

Ann Henderson is STUC assistant secretary. Follow @STUCwomen on Twitter and Facebook to join in.

We need you support to keep running. If you like what you read please donate by clicking here