The first figures published for the New Earnings Survey, 1971, by the DEP, show that "percentage increases in the period (April 1970-71) were much higher for women than for men, particularly among manual women. This reflects the effect of movements towards equal pay." This only goes to show that you can prove whatever you want to, with any given set of figures. Percentages do not buy fuel and meat, and women are worse off where it counts -money in their pay packet. As we approach December 1975- the date for implementation of the so-called Equal Pay Act-employers, trade unions, male workers, and even many women workers seem determined to put women in the position they were in at the beginning of the century, when women workers were literally starving on the wages they earned for 50 hours a week or more. Women have put up with disgusting wages since the beginning of the industrial revolution, and a few more years will not hurt them. They should remember the firms to whom they have been donating such a large slice of their surplus labour over the years and when, "unless patience is excercised by the women who will qualify for eaual pay", as the Engineering Employers" Federation so gallantly puts it, will not be able to withstand the additional cost burden of implementing equal pay...
The facts are that women start so far below the male rate that millions of them could get 200% greater pay rises than men and still be worse off than them. A recent survey showed that 75 out of 90 industries examined were narrowing the percentage differential between man and women's wages, but when we look at the figures, we can see why the statisticians prefer to stick to percentages-they are so much tore optimistic and misleading. The table below shows the true picture.
Increases in weekly. Increases in hourly earnings (non-man- earning (manual) ual) men women np np Oct.69-Oct.70 4.1 2.5 8.0 5.1 Oct. 70-April 71 0.2 0.8 1.2 Total increase 7.1 2.7 8.8 6.3 Av.eamnings April 71 19.8 62.2 38.1 EQUAL PAY?
The problem cannot be solved through the introduction of equal pay. Theoretically, teachers get equal pay, but in April 1971 the gross weekly carnings of male and female teachers were [36.2 and E29.3 respectively. This reflects the different jobs in teaching held by men and women, with women teaching the younger children and having fewer positions of responsibility. Men get the majority of higherpaid jobs-only because of their greater ability and charm, of course-including those positions from where they have a say in who should get the better jobs, which is nice and handy. Why do women put up with inequality to the extent they do-an extent which can be gauged by the fact that whilst 87% of manual women workers earn below £20, 87% of their male fellow-workers earn £20 or more. Similar figures apply to non-manual workers. Women workers are handicapped in many ways, but two in particular seem to me to have a bearing on why they are not up in arms about the situation (apart from the fact that many are not aware of the extent of pay differentials).
FEARS OF UNEMPLOYMENT First, women are afraid of unemployment. Although only 135,000 women including school. leavers) were registered as unemployed on Oct. 11th 1971, a total of over 234,000 women's jobs "disappeared" between June 1970 and Sept. 1971 in manufacturing industries alone. Women have learnt from bitter experience that male trade-unionists think them as expendable as the employers do, and that jobs for the boys" applies at every level in our cut-throat society. Given equal pay, women know that employers who prefer men, where they are available (it is, of course, an illusion to believe that all women workers could be dispensed with-they constitute nearly 40% of the labour force) even when men are less good at the job-as has been proved in the past, in many cases- mainly through prejudice. But of course, it is not quite so simple as that. Because the second reason why women are less than militant most of the time is their family responsibilities, which is the rationale for employers prejudice. Just as they cannot rely on men's support in the work-place when it comes to fighting for equal pay and equal work and against unemployment, so the women cannot rely on them to share the domestic responsibilities equally. If a child is ill, if extra shopping has to be done, it's the women who have to take time off work, thus acquiring a reputation for unreliability.
MALE CHAUVINISM IN THE T.U.'S The demands of women workers get pushed to the back of the agenda all the time. The strength of the unions is in their male craftsmen and the best of the agreements go to them, with the rest getting whatever is left over. The employers like nothing better than to see workers in competition with each other and the well-propagated myth of the "battle of the sexes" helps to blunt the impact of the class war. It is not for nothing that all union correspondence is addressed to "Dear Sir and Brother'-it reflects accurately thinking within the trade union movement. Even if someone realises what it signifies, they will patronisingly say that women don't mind-(men always know what women think!) Well, women are beginning to think all sorts of rebellious and at this number.
unsettling things. They are fed up with being betrayed, of being in a weaker position, from which it is that much harder to move forward and being helped very little by men. Whilst women are moving regardless of the wishes or assistance of the men, this will be a testing time for male militants. To continue to betray women is to betray the working-class. We are not prepared to wait till after the revolution for our problems to be taken up. To act on these problems NOW is to advance the revolution and any male worker or revolutionary who holds us back will be holding back the revolution. Dont let it happen to you!
Leonora Lloyd SOCIALIST WOMEN GROUPS exist in different parts of the country.
If you would like to be put in touch with socialist women in your area, fill in the form below and post it to SOCIALIST WOMAN, 182 Pentonville Road, London N.1 NAME.........
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