Some of them, believe it or not, are not conference geeks and will have no idea of what A131 is, or of its importance.
For those who have no idea as to what we do at conference, the short answer is that we debate motions that are to form PCS policy and if they get passed they give the union its position for the next two years.
Which brings me back to A131 which says "This Conference is of the opinion that affiliation to Abortion Rights is divisive and offensive to PCS members who have deeply held beliefs. The PCS prides itself on diversity and respect for all members and an affiliation such as this can only erode this ethos. This issue has no place in any Trade Union and this Conference therefore resolves to disaffiliate from Abortion Rights forthwith and instructs the National Executive Committee to return to a position of neutrality on this subject."
Now, apart from the obvious counter argument that I would find it offensive *not* to be affiliated to Abortion Rights because of my deeply held beliefs,(see previous post on personal autonomy. That this is a personal not religious belief does not negate it) "...return to a position of neutrality on this subject." My arse will I!
Oh, by the gods this makes me so angry on so many levels.
Level one: how bloody patronising can one motion be? It pats me on the head and says 'don't worry dear, we're not going to pressure you to be anti abortion just to have no opinion on it at all' Not this woman buddy, oh no! Don't know if you've noticed, but you don't get to silence us on our issues any more.
Level two: Affiliation to Abortion Rights is about Equality, Choice and supporting those who need help. These are the cornerstones of EVERY Trade Union. Or at least they should be.
Level three: far from being the benign little motion it seems to be, and for such a short motion it sure packs a punch, its call for a return to neutrality is an invidious thing that may well be the thin end of a slippery slope. Want to discuss a domestic abuse policy? Sorry, bit to close to interfering with deeply held beliefs on women being chattel. Want to debate paternity leave for familial adopters? Sorry, would love to but there are a few people who have deeply held beliefs about it. So we can't.
Level four: much as I understand and support the rule that says you can to try to overturn conference policy after 2 years and much as I applaud the Standing Orders Committee (them lovely people what determine what will and won't be debated for non conference geeks) for putting this near the top of the section so it is likely it won't be out of time, when I look around the conference hall, will I, in spite of all the hard work being done by PCS, see a delegation that is representative of the number of women in PCS?
Will I shite.
I WILL not let a group of men decide for me whether or not my Trade Union will have a neutral stance on what is essentially a women's issue.
I WILL not stand by quietly while there is a chance I will have any influence on a single vote on this issue. I owe it to myself, my daughter, my nieces, my female cousins, my future grand daughters and to every woman who has ever been faced with the most terrible choice a woman has to make to speak out.
Affiliation to Abortion Rights is not a pro abortion stance, it is a pro choice stance and if we don't stand up for choice we should be ashamed to call ourselves Trade Unionists.
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