L-R: Xenia, Hayley, Fiona and Joy together at Conference. Photo: © The MU.
This year’s TUC (Trade Union Congress) Women’s Conference took place in London on 5-7 March.
Four delegates from the MU attended: Hailey Willington (TUC Women’s Committee 2024-25); Joy Ellis and Fiona Branson from the MU’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee; and Xenia Horne from the MU's Executive Committee. In addition, Alice Angliss, Executive Committee member and TUC Women’s Committee 2024-25 attended as a visitor.
The MU had two motions this year. The motion on ‘Ethics and Responsible Use of AI in the Music Industry’ was moved by Fiona Branson. A second motion on ‘Pregnancy and Parenting in the Music Industries’ became a composited motion on ‘Improving Parental Rights’. Xenia Horne gave a supporting speech. We’re pleased to announce that both motions passed.
Conference voted to send the motion on Misogyny and the Far Right, for which the MU’s Hailey Willington provided a supporting speech, to TUC Congress in September.
Responsible Use of AI
This motion noted the ethical concerns and considerations affecting women, relating to the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The motion called for the introduction of legislation to ensure a minimum standard of ethics for the use and application of AI, and the protection of artists’ intellectual property.
Pregnancy and Parenting
Focussing on the gaps in provision between employed and self-employed workers, this motion called for better maternity leave and pay for self-employed parents, better access to childcare, and better shared parental leave.
The motion highlighted findings from the Musicians’ Census 2023, that 29% of women musicians experienced career barriers because of family/caring commitments, and 15% reported finding childcare as a barrier.
The motion was composited along with others from USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers), Community, RCPOD (Royal College of Podiatry), and RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers), highlighting the cross-sectoral relevance of these issues.