Co-op Congress Oppose Executive on Equal Pay Issue

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The 96th annual congress of the Co-operative Union at Edinburgh, held over Whitsun, was addressed by Mr. Ray (more discipline) Gunter. This didn't stop them from voting for an equal-pay resolution, despite Mr. Gunter's well known opposition to this principle being introduced at present. The resolution . urged that the Government should take the necessary steps to introduce legislation to implement the principle of equal pay for equal works It was moved by Mr. E, Stafford of Watford and Harrow Society. The motion expressed the view that the movement should give a firm lead to the distribu~ tive trades on this question. Mr. Stafford pointed out that one-third of the national labour force were women but only 10% of women received equal pay. The majority were employed as second rate workers. Miss Jessie Stephen of Bristol declared that for far too long they had heard lip service paid to this matter and that for far too long politicians and many others had deliber-= ately drawn red herrings across the track in the hope that people would be distracted from the real issue, Mr. L. Oakes,for the Central Executive, claimed that there was no need to pass another resolution on this matter. He also said that it was not true that wage rates were as bad as speakers had ‘ guoted. He asked Congress to reject the proposal. The resolution was carried by a handsome majority: 6,797 votes to 3,989. °