conscience YUIC on Heffer as Deputy Leader.
IWAC Fringe Meeting These campaigns paying off — figures releas ed in April showed signifi cant increases in female membership amongst some ot tne mam-umons. The GMB announced the first increase in its membership since 1979 the -last quarter of 1987, with the majority of the 2,397 inwomen members.
USDAW, the other two unions to register growth, well known as unions in areas with high concentrations of women workers.
This concern to recruit more women has placed women more centrally in the real concerns of these unions, and led to demands for sharp action on issues like Alton, but also pressure to improve the representation of women within the unions themselves.
the action taken by women was striking. There was a new level of activity and support from the women at all levels ot the unions, from rank and file women, through to national women's structures and officers, to the TUC Committee and Vote Much of this support was facilitated by national officers who worked directly with the FAB Campaign. Many of these positions have been created in the last few years on the basis of struggles of women in the unions themselves for a greater say.
This is not to say that al is rosy for women in the unions. *Viany changes remain marginal.
Nonetheless they reveal