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Reclaim the Night - Saturday 26th November

This year the TUC’s Reclaim the Night event will take place in Newcastle upon Tyne. Details are below and a flyer is attached (if you would like flyers to distribute please let me know). Flier here

Please let us know if you are coming by registering with Ananthi aparkin@tuc.org.uk by Friday 18th November.

Date: Saturday 26th November
Time: 6.30pm – gather at Times Square, next to the Centre for Life, Newcastle. 7.00pm march to the Monument for candlelit vigil.
Speakers: Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and Clare Williams, Chair of the TUC Women’s Group and Unison Regional Convenor

Everyone is welcome to attend and show their support.

In Britain there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year. Each year an estimated 300,000 women are sexually assaulted (British Crime Survey 2001), yet Britain’s conviction rate is the lowest ever at just 5.3%. When Reclaim the Night marches were first started in the 1970s women were appalled that only 1 in 3 rapists were ever convicted; today that figure is 1 in 20. This is why the Northern TUC have revived the tradition of Reclaim the Night. All women have the right to use public spaces both in the daytime and after dark without the fear of sexual harassment and assault. Join with women around the world to mark the United Nations International Day to End Violence Against Women and take back your night.

Last Updated: October 13, 2011

reason 1

You can earn more

Year on year, UNISON wins pay rises for its members. Average earnings are around eight per cent higher in unionised workplaces.

reason 2

You're more likely to get equal pay

UNISON is campaigning to bring women's pay into line with men's. Workplaces with union recognition are 20 per cent more likely to have an equal opportunities policy.

reason 3

You get more holiday

UNISON has won increased leave for many of its members wherever they work.


reason 4

You get more and better training

UNISON provides courses to help you learn new skills, improve existing ones and develop your career. Since 1994 UNISON has won agreements with employers to pay for courses and provide time off for employees to attend them.

reason 5

You get more maternity leave or parental leave

If you belong to UNISON, your employer is more likely to have parental leave policies which are more generous than the statutory minimum.

reason 6

You're less likely to be injured at work

UNISON health and safety stewards are trained to minimise the risk of workplace injuries and ensure that employers meet their legal obligations.

reason 7

If you do get injured at work, you'll get better compensation

UNISON wins millions in legal compensation for people who are injured or become ill at work. We won over £37 million in 2004 for members and their families.

reason 8

You're less likely to be discriminated against

UNISON campaigns for tougher laws to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, disability or sexual orientation. Black and Asian trade unionists earn 32 per cent more than non-unionised colleagues.

reason 9

You can help keep our public services public

UNISON campaigns against all forms of privatisation, including PFI and foundation hospitals. Where our members have been transferred to the private sector we have won them pay and employment protections.

reason 10

You're less likely to be sacked

Trade union members are only half as likely to be sacked as non members.