Courses create Pathways into UNISON for women

Since June 2009 Gillian Bannatyne and Lynne Duncan of Scotland’s Pay Equality Group have delivered five Pathways training courses in Scotland and more are planned in the New Year. The courses have been a great success in encouraging and supporting women to get active in UNISON.

Gillian said “The Pathways course is very informal and relaxed and the women who attend all say it’s a great course. As well as finding out about their union, they share experiences, make new friends and have a laugh.

“It’s vital that more women become active in the union and the results so far prove that Pathways is the gateway to achieve this.” Lynne added, “Women having the opportunity to take two days time out from their normal hectic lives was always going to be a recipe for success.

“All of those who have attended Pathways have said how quickly they all got to know each other and how comfortable they were in the group. On every course there was a wealth of talent and skills and I think everyone left feeling more confident in using their skills both in the union and in everyday life”

Pathways into UNISON is an ideal course for women members to

· Find out how the union works

· How to overcome the barriers to getting active in the union

· Identifying women’s skills and how they can be used in UNISON

The branches that have run Pathways into UNISON are delighted with the results - raising the profile of the branch, more activists and strengthening organisation.

Some quotes from participants:

June, Support Worker “We had a staff meeting last Friday and I spoke out about the rota being unfair to part-time staff and female support workers. The senior supervisor tried to shoot me down in flames. However, I stood my ground and asked her if I was right in saying that team meetings were in place for staff and management to bring up any problems at work.

“She said yes so I asked her if I could finish what I was saying … AND, BOY DID I FINISH WHAT I WAS SAYING.

“The rota has now been changed to suit all members of staff-male, female, full-time and part-time.

“You gave me the confidence to do that - I can’t believe how much the Pathways course has helped me and, in turn will help others at my work.”

Lorna, Clerical Worker “I went on the course feeling that I, although not stupid, didn’t know very much at all. On completion I realised that I do know a lot more than I had first thought and that women in the workplace in low paid jobs have a whole lot more to offer than I had previously thought.

“I would certainly encourage any other women who get the chance to go on the course and grab it with both hands. The bonding between the women, which was not part of the course helped in a huge way to put us all at our ease.”

Susan, School Auxiliary “Shona, Trish and I had a spot of bother on the train home from Pathways but Scotrail didn’t count on an assertive union rep!!

“They chucked everyone off at Dyce with no explanation, so I confronted the crew and got back on the train and told them I wasn’t getting off again. They let everyone else back on the train and arranged another train to take us all back to Inverurie, so we only had to wait five minutes in the cold - RESULT!!"

Any member or branch who would like further information on Pathways should get in touch with Gillian or Lynne at UNISON Scotland.

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