ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the operation of proportionality, fair representation and self-organisation within the specific location of the Local Government Service Group (LGSG). Approximately 800,000 members of UNISON work in local government. One-third of these members are manual and craft workers, the remainder administrative, clerical or professional. Approximately 65 per cent of members in this service group are women. The chapter presents a mixed picture of participation by individual women and the representation of women as a group. It examines women’s voices on the national Service Group Executive (SGE) and notes how they are silenced. The chapter provides illustrations of the gender-neutral nature of local government issues. It notes those situations in which women’s voices were heard and a gendered analysis pursued. The chapter concludes that UNISON’s strategy for gender democracy is too reliant on individual women and ignores the needs of women as an oppressed social group.
