News of the Equal Pay Movement

Read the 'History of the TUC: 1866-1968' shows pictures and actions of women workers, particularly interesting - match girls strike of 1886, who struck, won their case, organised their own union and during the same year assisted to Secure en~ dorsement of Equal Pay resolution in Congress. Furniture workers at recent conference demanded that rate for journey-women be 65% of the man's pay, Mr. Tomkins, general secretary, said that success in achieving the increase would carry forward the union's struggle for complete equal pay. The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions called on its 20 member unions to use their industriel strength to ensure that women get equel pay for work of equal value. A motion was also passed urging unions to beck members who act to see that women receive wages in keeping with their work. These unions represent over 3 million workers and are in the forefront of the firht against Government interference in collective bargaining. The annual conference of NALGO, representing nearly 00,000 local government workers plumped heavily for equal pay. It ordered the executive council to impress the TUC with the need to introduce the equal pay principle in all fields. One speaker said that the days of pious resolutions were over. A growing militancy gripped the country and a vigorous campaien had become necessary. Australia's highest industrial judges grented women an equal psy award, climaxing one of the most controversial cases in the nation's judicial history. The Federal Arbitration Commission decided that the country's 1,500,000 women workers should gain pay equality over a three-year period, Their wage scale will be increased in stages from 55% of the male rate on October 8 this year to 100% by dJamary 1972, The Australian Council of Trade Unions led the long court battle against the employers. An Equal Pay resolution was passed unanimously by the General & Municipal Workers.