"As the first female General Secretary in the Musicians’ Union’s nearly 130 year history, General Secretary elect Naomi Pohl gave a video speech to conference."
On day two of Labour’s National Women’s Conference, the MU and ASLEF raised a motion on supporting women through early pregnancy loss, which was then seconded by MU Executive Committee (EC) member Sarah Williams.
Current legislation is not dignified or supportive
Sarah Williams seconded the motion, in part of her speech she stated
“Imagine losing a preganancy before 24 weeks and to receive no support at all – being expected ‘just to get on with it’ – this is the situation that faces far too many women in the workplace.
“We desperately need legislation to remove the reliance on sick leave for employed women – and we desperately need freelancers – the self- employed – to get just some, any support – we currently receive absolutely none.
“Most musicians are only entitled to statutory maternity pay – less than £100 per week – and absolutely nothing following early pregnancy loss.”
Naomi Pohl gives a historic video address
As the first female General Secretary in the Musicians’ Union’s nearly 130 year history, General Secretary elect Naomi Pohl gave a video speech to conference, in which she discussed the MU’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion work – including the Safe Space service, the Breastfeeding at Work policy and the Equality Action Plan.