Members invited to women's events

BECTU is inviting its women members to attend two events in the coming weeks.

First is the annual "Reclaim the Night" march in London, organised by the London Feminist Network to draw attention to violence against women.

It takes place on Saturday November 25, starting at 6 p.m. in Central London. Marchers will assemble at Trafalgar Square, and proceed to the University of London Students' Union in Malet Street (WC1E 7EY)

Organisers hope that a good turnout will help to publicise the alarming level of assaults and rapes on women in the UK - the British Crime Survey estimates that as many as 300,000 suffer violence each year, with 47,000 being raped.

BECTU's banner will be on the march, and any women members who would like to join the union's contingent should contact Jane Perry via e-mail.

The second event is a BECTU-organised conference on workplace discrimination against women being held in London on Saturday December 9.

Members are being invited to join like-minded women who want to take control of their working lives, listening to a panel of guest speakers, and participating in workshops throughout the day.

Speakers include:

• Vicky Phillips, Thompsons Solicitors
• Rebecca Gill, Equalities Officer TUC

Workshops are planned to cover:

• Sexual harassment
• Discrimination
• Involvement in the union
• Negotiation for women at work

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To book a place at the conference contact Kate Elliott at BECTU on 020 7346 0900 or via e-mail