with union Dacino erratic decisions by tribunals' ecual pay asplicallons the legislation.
women to siano uo ano nontor nei nonis have been in the forefront recuncancies.
the cleaners at Norin cas great acc and rord strikes in hao nothing to make TOTally lonored by Ine Of the women covered by the Act, 10 per cent are The General and Municipal Workers Union: "Even many women ose nei cians hecause of the loonnoles in the leois ation. otter provided by ambiguous wording and arbitrary and * The Labour Research Department: 72 per cent of and to De Equal Pay and Opportunity Campaign: Dissatis action with the legislation is due to the hig failure when cases are taken to the tribunals and the lack or enorr on me pan or many unions to ancouras Trico was not the only dispute at which women . There have been at leas fights 4½ per cent such as at Orlakes in Dagenham; against ers banbury, for savery -London the Elizabeth Garrett These struggles have strengthened the fighting spirit among women workers which began with the For the majority of women the legislation has done their daily lives easier. It has not provaca mose lacuues to anow mem to work lUG. Trade unions and Labour rary nave recoonise all this in their demands for increased childcare, free abortion and contraception on demand from NHS, financial independence, equal education ducquaie matermy provisions. -hese demanus ar OUA I NE reall Ina women's ronis are uncer ure as culoacks in socia expenditure and unemployment push women baci In of the working class black or white economic oroblems notor ineir makina. Union of Public Employees states: 'Cuts is one of the are being children, the old and the sick.
The accentance that women shout make these sacrifices weakens and divides the working class in and ever-decreasing real wages.
Women -torare. workers the EGA nave realised that protest to Mrs anc management are not enough hospital the action will protect their jobs When the Government brought in the EPA and Squality or women sime kee IT WaS evidence is mounting that the battle for equality and independence, far from being over, has only just * The Rally will draw together the experiences of all those ligning tor women's rignis. by drawing the lessons of the last year, we can carry the struggle forward and begin to * Many trade unions, women's groups ers of the campaigns for women's right to abortion, Tinancial and lecal incependence. arc will be partici pating Througn exhibitions, stalls, tions can organise joint action on a national scale.
The Secretary of the Rally Planning Committee Snell, 33 Wemyss Rd., London SE3. 01-318 3763.
• male or female should take responsibilit fo • ne Nationa worst hit at present and wives and mothers unemployment, rising prices are however already showing the way fichting acainst the closure o By occupying the strength of militan and memb those organisaTel:
ERED WEEKLY ну 18т
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fore they are not covered by the Act still not getting equal pay
against hospital closures, Anderson and East London hospitals