ABSTRACT
I have had a very varied career: I have worked in factories, on a farm, been a dental receptionist, a caretaker, all sorts of jobs. For the last five years I have driven a delivery van for a small mail order company called Home Deliveries. I was married when I was just over 16. My eldest son was born when I was 17 and the younger one two years later. Except for very short periods, I have always worked; I have certainly had a lot of experience of juggling work and family life. I joined the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) when I started working for Home Deliveries with whom USDAW have a closed shop agreement. Ever since I became active in the Union I have tried especially hard to encourage other women to become active. How I have tried to do this and the problems that are involved is what this account is about.
