Women's interests in the workplace. Between delegation and self-representation

Abstract

In the vicious circle of under-representation of women in trade union structures - particularly in positions of influence - and of women's interests not being considered as a vital component of trade union politics, we see the development of a range of experience which has a huge influence on the articulation and mobilisation of interests, thereby effecting participation in collective promotion of interests. This article reconstructs the process of women articulation their workplace interests in order to illustrate the "inner" and "outer" obstacles regarding both the articulation of interests and these interests being acted upon. These obstacles stand in the way of problems being solved in a manner which would benefit women. An important consequence of this, viz. that this process is usually hampered right from the outset - before interests are even explicitly articulated - points to the necessity of creating new forms of trade union politics in the workplace. Such new forms should address women's current attempts to wield a greater influence, both individually and collectively, regarding their position in the workplace and, most importantly, should take into account their "central points of interest", such as working hours.