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Gloria Mills has today (Thursday) been elected as President of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Women’s Committee for the next four years. The ETUC represents 60 million trade union members across the EU and its immediate neighbours.

Gloria Mills has today (Thursday) been elected as President of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Women’s Committee for the next four years. The ETUC represents 60 million trade union members across the EU and its immediate neighbours.

She will be the leading trade unionist for women in Europe and is the first black woman to hold the post. In her new role she will lead for the European trade union movement on issues such as parental rights, equal pay and fighting against the impact of austerity on the public services women rely on. Together with TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady, she will be part of the European trade union movement’s leadership as the UK government renegotiates our relationship with the EU and holds the crucial EU referendum.

Gloria will use her position, backed by the ETUC as a whole, to oppose dilution of the many legal rights working women have secured from the EU, especially equal rights for part-time workers and work-life balance through the Working Time Directive.

Gloria is a former President of the TUC and is currently a member of the TUC General Council and Executive and is Chair of the European Public Services Union (EPSU) Gender and Equality Committee. Gloria was previously the Vice-President of the ETUC Women’s Committee.

Gloria has worked to highlight the impact of austerity measures on public services. She has also been instrumental in highlighting the adverse impact of the financial crisis on women and young people. And she has campaigned for a better deal for working women aged over 50 and measures to close the gender gaps in pay, pensions, employment and decision-making.

Gloria is a tireless and formidable campaigner who has secured a raft of equality and employment rights for working people in the UK and Europe. Her work in promoting women’s participation in decision-making has changed the agenda, structure and culture of trade unions, politics and public life.

Gloria is a member of UNISON’s Senior Management Group and is responsible for managing strategic equality work. She has over 20 years as a trade union organiser and negotiator.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Gloria has pioneered equal rights campaigns that have changed the agenda, the structure and culture of trade unions in Europe. Her sharp acumen, formidable campaigning and negotiating skills have led to the successful implementation of European legislation, establishing her as a leading specialist practitioner in equality, employment and human rights.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews
 

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