New working paper: Shifting the Balance? Exploring the trade union responses to tackling gendered occupational segregation

Close the Gap has recently launched a new working paper, Shifting the Balance? Exploring the trade union responses to tackling gendered occupational segregation, which aims to assess what work is being undertaken by trade unions to address occupational segregation.

This paper reveals that a small minority of trade unions have been involved in preliminary small-scale efforts to engage on the issue of occupational segregation, but that these efforts are not part of a strategic programme to tackle the issue. Although there is some awareness of the issues around occupational segregation amongst some unions, there is a great need to raise awareness of the issue and its wider impact on women and workplaces.

The paper was launched at an event on 18 February 2014 at the STUC and prompted extensive discussion among the delegates. At the event we heard from Equality Officer Lee James about ASLEF’s campaign to address the under-representation of women among train drivers. Concerns over the lack of diversity within the driving grade prompted ASLEF to fund the independent ‘On Track with Diversity’ Report in 2012. ASLEF have used the report as a lever to open dialogue with train operating companies regarding joint working over their recruitment processes, and they have also been involved in positive discussions over part time working, which is a fundamental shift for the industry.

There is scope for unions to do a lot more on occupational segregation, and any activity must be much more strategic, with measurable outcomes, if women are to achieve equality in the workplace. The paper discusses the causes and impacts of occupational segregation, the challenges facing trade unions in addressing it, and presents examples of individual union activity on the issue.

Close the Gap has also identified a number of opportunities for trade unions to engage on work around occupational segregation. If you would like more information on how you can get involved please contact us.

Hard copies are available from acallaghan@stuc.org.uk

Close the Gap pays tribute to Professor Ailsa McKay

Close the Gap staff and steering group members are deeply saddened by the death of Professor of Ailsa McKay, Chair of the Close the Gap steering group.

Ailsa was a leading feminist economist who contributed immeasurably to the drive for gender equality in Scotland, and beyond. She was a Professor of Economics at Glasgow Caledonian University, where she established the Women in Scotland’s Economy Research Centre. She was a founding member of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group and the European Gender Budget Network. As a member of the Equality Budget Advisory Group, she had a profound impact on the Scottish budget process. She was also instrumental in developing the economic case for free, universal childcare in Scotland.

Close the Gap was privileged to have Ailsa chair its steering group. She provided an invaluable insight intogender budgeting, welfare economics, childcare, and the economics of occupational segregation. She was dedicated to sharing her knowledge of economics and passionate about changing the lives of women in Scotland.

She will be missed by all who strive for a society where women’s contribution to the economy is counted, and valued.

EVENTS: Scotland and UK wide

In this post you will find a selection of up and coming events and programmes relating to gender and women's participation in the labour market.

Close the Gap newsround (43)

This edition for February captures articles related to the gender pay gap and its causes, including pay discrimination and occupational segregation.