In the wake of his recent humanitarian visit to Cuba, RICHARD BURGON points to the now urgent need to defend the island’s political sovereignty and its right to self-determination
FROM campaigning for better working conditions and an eight-hour day to demanding equal pay, women have played a vitally important role in Britain’s labour movement — rallying, organising and inspiring millions of us to fight for employment justice.
On International Women’s Day 2022, it is worth highlighting some of the achievements and continuing challenges of women’s long struggle for workplace equality.
Women’s involvement in the labour movement dates back to the early days of the industrial revolution when new jobs were created for women in the mills and factories.
As Unison launches its Year of Women Workers, ANNIE COGAN-THOMAS argues that stronger organisation and collective bargaining are essential to winning equality
Professor MARY DAVIS argues that feminism has been hollowed out by liberal co-option – and only a revival of socialist, class-based politics can restore International Working Women’s Day’s original, radical purpose
ANN HENDERSON looks at the trailblazers of the Women’s Trade Union League and their successful fight for female factory inspectors — a battle that echoes in today’s workplace campaigns
Women are a vital part of the labour movement and have much to contribute, but there’s far more to be done to make sure that our sisters’ voices are truly heard, says PHILIPA HARVEY


