GFTU BGCM Report 2017

Resolution 23 (continued)

Implementation

(4) Conference supports initiatives such as those to get more young women to consider a career in engineering and the science sectors. (5) There is a lack of information on issues facing women in manufacturing, including working patterns and health concerns as recent research has warned and PPE is often inappropriate and inadequate for women working in manufacturing. (6) Conference therefore calls on the GFTU Executive and Affiliates to: • share best practice between unions and support shop stewards and union reps in tackling women’s under-representation and ending job segregation within manufacturing; • support initiatives to get more women into engineering and science apprenticeships; • urge the government to fund decent and well paid apprenticeships leading to permanent employment, including positive action for young women; • work with unions to identify issues that concern women in manufacturing; • support affiliates in urging their governments for real investment in this industry, to promote manufacturing apprenticeships among women and lift barriers facing women; • insist that manufacturing companies ensure that procured components are not produced in sweatshop conditions or where there is abuse of migrant women or men workers. (1) This Conference continues to be opposed to the unfair and unnecessary attacks on The GS wrote letters to every MP and member of the House of Lords on behalf of the campaign and drafted the Young People and Youth Work Bill with Unite member Andy Driver and former director of the National Youth Agency TomWylie.A special meeting of Chooseyouth was held on June 4th and a renewed episode of concerted campaigning ensued. our public services. It notes with utter dismay the consequence of this in the near ruin of the Youth Service in Britain. (2) The historic role of youth work as an educational service offering personal and social development to young people outside school and work and offering an entirely unique space for young people to grow and develop, as well as for preventative work to be undertaken is under serious threat. The service has experienced an ideologically driven break up of youth work and the youth services. It is undisputed that the Youth Service in England is the first public service to actually disappear as a consequence of the austerity funding cuts to local authorities by the current Tory Government. (3) Fantastic youth work now only exists in isolated fragments. The architecture of the post war settlement of local authorities working in partnership with the voluntary sector to provide professionally qualified workers and supported volunteers to work with and for young people to expand their horizons and develop citizenship and collective responsibility has gone. No local authority in England has a Youth Service left. Thousands of youth centres have closed. (4) This conference calls upon the GFTU and affiliate organisations to: 1. Continue to actively support the Choose Youth Campaign, the unprecedented alliance of youth organisations and Trade unions to defend youth services and Youth workers jobs underpinned Resolution 24 Youth Service

Implementation

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