The organising challenges presented by the increased casualisation of women’s work

The increasing casualisation of work in the early part of the 21st century has led to widespread insecurity for both highly qualified and less qualified workers. This pattern has had particular effects on women leading to their being disproportionately disadvantaged. Moreover, women have suffered particularly from the austerity measures introduced by governments since 2010. The parlous position of UK women internationally is indicated by the fall in the UK’s international standing with respect to gender empowerment in society. The UK‘s ranking has plummeted from 9th in 2008 to 26th in 2014 in the World Economic Forum Gender Equality Index. (World Economic Forum 2014).

Against this background, this report seeks to understand the challenges unions face in organising casualised women workers and how union organisation can play a part in alleviating some of the injustices emerging from casualised work. In particular the report seeks to examine the organisation of women workers by drawing on the academic literature.