Progress on Women’s Equality within UK and Canadian Trade Unions: Do Women’s Structures Make a Difference?

Many Canadian and UK trade unions host collective structures for women unionists. These structures continue to widen in form to encompass women’s conferences, committees, courses, meetings, seminars, workshops, caucuses, branches and networks. The bulk of extant work on union women’s structures focuses on their concern with improving women’s conditions in the workplace. However, a growing body of works acknowledges their role as agents for change within the union setting in promoting women’s equality and in supporting union revitalization efforts.This study focuses on women’s structures’ meaning for progress with women’s equality within UK and Canadian unions. Using national surveys and semi-structured interview evidence supplied by a wide variety of unionists, it “maps” and cross-nationally compares equality achievements for women in this setting. The assessment is structured by a typology of union dimensions where progress on women’s equality has been emphasized in the literature: i) union membership and participation, ii) union education/training, iii) local union position-holding, iv) convention attendance and v) union leadership. Thematic and simple quantitative analyses were employed to account for the nature of progress in these areas for women in relation to women’s structures’ presence and activity.It emerges that the dimensions for women’s union involvement are interrelated, and that women’s union involvement to date has not been comprehensively gauged, particularly in terms of its parity with men’s activity and empowerment in unions, and also with regard to the influences on the level and character of advances towards union equality for women. Further, women’s structures are shown to play a part in effecting uneven progress for women on additional equality indices that emerge from the data, ranging from more inclusive language in union constitutions through new union ways of working to union action on interests which reflect gendered structural inequalities in that setting. According to the informants, the uneven character of women’s union equality advancements reflects the varying obduracy of impediments to women’s structures’ equality goals and the ambition of their equality initiatives.The article’s concluding discussion centres on the significance of equality developments in UK and Canadian unions for progressing institutional goals (e.g., union membership growth, strong identity, internal cohesion, diverse interest representation) and for refining assessments of women’s advancement towards equality in unions. Further, it emphasizes the need for women’s structures, advancements as internal union critics and guardians of existing women’s equality achievements, to profile their “contribution” to union equality. Efforts to develop an expanded repertoire of internal equality measures might also encourage UK and Canadian unions themselves to re-evaluate the fullness of conventional measures of their influence, given continuous pressure on union strategists to find a solid and innovative basis for union revitalization.De nombreux syndicats canadiens et britanniques comptent des collectifs pour les femmes syndicalistes. La forme de ces structures continue à s’élargir et englobe des conférences, des comités, des cours, des réunions, des séminaires, des caucus, des branches et des réseaux destinés aux femmes. La majorité des recherches qui existent sur les collectifs féminins au sein des syndicats porte sur leur préoccupation envers l’amélioration de la condition féminine dans le milieu du travail. Toutefois, des travaux de plus en plus nombreux reconnaissent le rôle d’agents de changement au sein du cadre syndical lui-même que jouent les collectifs dans la promotion de l’égalité féminine et la revitalisation syndicale.Cette étude porte sur l’importance des collectifs féminins pour l’avancement de l’égalité des femmes au sein des syndicats canadiens et britanniques. S’appuyant sur des sondages nationaux et des témoignages recueillis au cours d’entrevues semi-structurées auprès d’un large éventail de syndicalistes, elle schématise et compare au niveau transnational les réussites des femmes en matière d’égalité dans ce cadre. L’évaluation est structurée selon une typologie des dimensions syndicales où les progrès relatifs à l’égalité des femmes ont déjà fait l’objet de travaux : i) l’adhésion à un syndicat et l’engagement, ii) l’éducation et la formation syndicale, iii) le poste occupé dans un syndicat local, iv) la participation aux congrès et v) le leadership syndical. On s’est servi d’analyses thématiques et quantitatives simples pour tenir compte de la nature des progrès des femmes dans ces domaines par rapport à la présence et à l’activité de collectifs féminins.Il en ressort que les dimensions de la participation syndicale féminine sont interdépendantes et que, jusqu’à présent, l’engagement syndical des femmes n’a pas été mesuré complètement surtout pour ce qui est de sa parité avec l’activité et le pouvoir exercé par les hommes dans les syndicats ainsi qu’en ce qui a trait aux influences que cet engagement exerce sur le niveau et le caractère des progrès vers l’égalité syndicale pour les femmes. De plus, on voit que les collectifs féminins influencent les progrès inégaux réalisés par les femmes sur des indices d’égalité supplémentaires qui ressortent des données. Ces progrès vont d’un langage plus inclusif dans les constitutions syndicales à l’action des syndicats sur des intérêts qui reflètent des inégalités structurales liées au genre dans ce milieu, en passant par de nouvelles méthodes de travail. Selon les sujets interrogés, l’inégalité des progrès reflète l’insolubilité à divers degrés des obstacles aux objectifs en matière d’égalité que se sont fixés les collectifs féminins et l’ambition de leurs initiatives.La discussion qui clôt l’article se concentre sur l’importance que jouent les initiatives en matière d’égalité dans les syndicats britanniques et canadiens dans l’avancement des objectifs institutionnels (p. ex., augmentation du nombre de membres, identité forte, cohésion interne, représentation d’intérêts divers) et dans le perfectionnement des méthodes d’évaluation des progrès des femmes vers l’égalité au sein des syndicats. De plus, elle souligne le besoin pour les femmes d’avoir des structures, de progresser en qualité de critiques internes et de gardiennes des réalisations actuelles en matière d’égalité féminine afin d’établir le profil de leur « contribution » à l’égalité syndicale. L’expansion du répertoire de mesures internes de l’égalité peut aussi encourager les syndicats britanniques et canadiens eux-mêmes à réévaluer l’exhaustivité des mesures conventionnelles de leur influence étant donné les répercussions, dans leurs stratégies de revitalisation, de la réduction des pouvoirs institutionnels, procéduraux et de fond auxquels ils sont confrontés.Muchos sindicatos canadienses e ingleses tienen estructuras colectivas para las mujeres sindicalistas. Estas estructuras dan soporte a la hora de realizar las conferencias, comités, cursos, reuniones, seminarios, reuniones de un día, de procesos de decisión interna (“caucus”), de rama, y redes de trabajo. La mayor parte del volumen de trabajo de dichas estructuras sindicales de mujeres se focaliza en la mejora de las condiciones laborales en el puesto de trabajo. Sin embargo, un número de creciente de trabajos dedica su atención al rol de las mujeres como agentes de cambio en los propios sindicatos promoviendo la igualdad de las mujeres y apoyando los esfuerzos sindicales de revitalización.Este estudio se focaliza en las estructuras sindicales de mujeres que se centran en el progreso de la igualdad dentro de los sindicatos ingleses y canadienses. Se utilizan informes nacionales y evidencias extraídas de las entrevistas semi-estructuradas a una variedad de sindicalistas, se establecen mapas y se cartografían y comparan los logros alcanzados en el objetivo de igualdad para la mujer entre los dos países. La valoración realizada está estructurada por una tipología de dimensiones, enfatizadas por la literatura, que definen a un sindicato y donde se detecta el progreso de las medidas de igualdad de género: i) sindicalización y participación, ii) educación y formación sindical iii) posición del sindicato local en el holding, iv) asistencia a congresos y v) liderazgo sindical. El análisis cuantitativo simple y temático se utiliza para dar cuenta de la naturaleza del progreso para las mujeres en dichas áreas de acuerdo con su presencia y actividad en las estructuras sindicales de mujeres.Se desprende que las dimensiones de la participación sindical de las mujeres están interrelacionadas, y que la participación sindical de la mujer hasta la fecha no ha sido correctamente evaluada, particularmente en términos de la paridad con la actividad de los hombres y la capacidad de asumir poder en los sindicatos; y con respecto a las influencias sobre el nivel y el carácter de los avances sindicales en lo referente a la igualdad de género. Mas aún, las estructuras de mujeres desempeñan un papel desigual a la hora de obtener mejoras para las mujeres tal como sugieren los datos obtenidos en los índices adicionales de igualdad, que van desde el establecimiento de un lenguaje más inclusivo en los estatutos sindicales, a nuevos métodos de trabajo para la acción sindical donde no se refleje las desigualdades estructurales de género. De acuerdo con los entrevistados, el carácter desigual de los avances de la igualdad de la mujer en los sindicatos refleja la variedad obstinada de impedimentos a los objetivos de igualdad de las estructuras de mujeres y a la ambición de sus iniciativas de igualdad.La conclusión discutida en el artículo se centra en la importancia de la igualdad de género desarrollada por los sindicatos ingleses y canadienses medida como progreso en los objetivos institucionales (por ejemplo, incremento de la sindicalización, fortalecimiento de la identidad, cohesión interna, representación de intereses diversos) y para hacer más fina la evaluación del progreso de la igualdad de género en los sindicatos. Además, hace énfasis en la necesidad de estructuras de mujeres, como respuesta a los críticos y guardianes de los avances sobre la igualdad de género, y como perfil a la contribución de la igualdad sindical de género. Los esfuerzos para desarrollar un amplio repertorio de medidas de igualdad interna podrían alentar a los sindicatos del Reino Unido y Canadá a revaluar la totalidad de las medidas convencionales para ejercer su influencia, facilitando una reflexión sobre sus estrategias de renovaciones institucionales, de procedimiento y sustantivas del recortado poder sindical

Male-biased predation and its effect on paternity skew and life history in a population of common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Differences in predation risk may exert strong selective pressures on life history strategies of populations. We investigated the potential for predation to shape male mating strategies in an arboreal folivore, the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr). We predicted that possums in a tropical population exposed to high natural levels of predation would grow faster and reproduce earlier compared to those in temperate populations with lower predation. We trapped a population of possums in eucalypt woodland in northern Australia each month to measure life history traits and used microsatellites to genotype all individuals and assign paternity to all offspring. We observed very high levels of male-biased predation, with almost 60% of marked male possums being eaten by pythons, presumably as a result of their greater mobility due to mate-searching. Male reproductive success was also highly skewed, with younger, larger males fathering significantly more offspring. This result contrasts with previous studies of temperate populations experiencing low levels of predation, where older males were larger and the most reproductively successful. Our results suggest that in populations exposed to high levels of predation, male possums invest in increased growth earlier in life, in order to maximise their mating potential. This strategy is feasible because predation limits competition from older males and means that delaying reproduction carries a risk of failing to reproduce at all. Our results show that life histories are variable traits that can match regional predation environments in mammal species with widespread distributions.This work was supported by the Australian Research Council http://www.arc.gov.au/ Grant number DP0449621 to CNJ, DP0449544 to WJF. JLD was supported by an Australian National University Graduate School Scholarship

When digital capital is not enough: reconsidering the digital lives of disabled university students.

publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticleThe relationship that disabled university students have with both their technologies and institutions is poorly understood. This paper seeks to illuminate this relationship using the conceptual lens of digital capital. The results from a study that explored the technology experiences of 31 disabled students studying in one university were analysed with a view to revealing evidence for both cultural and social digital capital. The analysis suggests that disabled students possess significant levels of both cultural and social capital, but that there are times when this capital is compromised or insufficient to enable students to fully benefit from technologies. Possessing digital capital does not appear to guarantee complete inclusion into university life

Dogs are more permissive than cats or guinea pigs to experimental infection with a human isolate of Bartonella rochalimae

Bartonella rochalimae was first isolated from the blood of a human who traveled to Peru and was exposed to multiple insect bites. Foxes and dogs are likely natural reservoirs for this bacterium. We report the results of experimental inoculation of two dogs, five cats and six guinea pigs with the only human isolate of this new Bartonella species. Both dogs became bacteremic for 5–7 weeks, with a peak of 103–104 colony forming units (CFU)/mL blood. Three cats had low bacteremia levels (< 200 CFU/mL) of 6–8 weeks’ duration. One cat that remained seronegative had two bacterial colonies isolated at a single culture time point. A fifth cat never became bacteremic, but seroconverted. None of the guinea pigs became bacteremic, but five seroconverted. These results suggest that dogs could be a reservoir of this strain of B. rochalimae, in contrast to cats and guinea pigs

Experiences of Performing Daily Activities in Middle-Aged and Older Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study

This is the first study to investigate instrumental activities of daily living in older autistic adults. We conducted interviews with fifteen adults (mean age = 60.1, SD = 7.4, range = 50–73) from Australia with no intellectual disability. Analysis included both deductive and inductive steps, to categorise responses using the Occupational Performance Model Australia and identify themes across participants’ experiences. Strengths and challenges were unique to the individual, as were the methods they had developed to manage tasks. Challenges occurred mostly at the interaction between aspects of the environment (sensory, cognitive, social and cultural) and personal factors such as health conditions and sensory sensitivities. Enhanced person-environment fit is needed, as is a shift in wider sociocultural attitudes to enable comfort and autonomy in later life

Colorado Native Plant Society Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 4, July-August 1980

https://epublications.regis.edu/aquilegia/1154/thumbnail.jp

Psychological interventions for people with Parkinson’s disease in the early 2020s:Where do we stand?

Purpose To explore the heterogeneity of the literature on psychological interventions for psychological difficulties in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods A scoping review was performed across five major databases (MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Academic Search Ultimate, and Cochrane Library) up to June 2020. Results From an initial return of 4911 citations, 56 studies were included, of which 21 were RCTs. A relatively wide range of therapeutic models have been adopted with people with PD, from common therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, to less frequent approaches, for example, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and psychodrama. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions are provided for future research on intervention studies and key psychological outcomes. Conclusions CBT appears to be effective in treating depression and sleep disorders in people with PD, while psychoeducation programmes alone should be avoided. The use of CBT to improve anxiety, quality of life, and impulse control, as well mindfulness‐based interventions, should be undertaken with some caution because of insufficient research and inconsistent results. As we enter the new decade, more high‐quality evidence is required for psychological interventions in people with PD in general and to corroborate preliminary positive findings on the adoption of less frequent approaches such as ACT. Practitioner points - Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with several psychological difficulties which be targeted by psychological interventions. - Currently, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be recommended to treat depression and sleep disorders in people with Parkinson’s, while psychoeducation alone should be avoided. - Caution is advised regarding the use of CBT and mindfulness‐based interventions to improve anxiety, quality of life, and impulse control. - Further evidence is required for less common approaches, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodrama, and EMDR

Working with the National Framework for Inclusion: a guide for teacher educators

This companion resource accompanies the National Framework for Inclusion 3rd edition and was developed by the Scottish Universities Inclusion Group (SUIG) and edited by Di Cantali (SUIG Chair). SUIG is a working group of the Scottish Council of Deans of Education

National framework for inclusion

Inclusive education is the cornerstone of Scottish education and, as such, must be of the highest priority for the Scottish Government and for all those involved in education in Scotland. There is clear recognition of the fact that teachers need to be well prepared and appropriately supported throughout their careers if they are to succeed in developing and sustaining the desired inclusive practice which will enable them to meet the increasingly diverse needs of all children within schools in Scotland