Running Time: 17 mins 6 secs
There is widespread structural sexism, sexual harassment and bullying in the trade union and labour movement – and it’s time to stamp it out once and for all. Women working for trade unions who have experienced bullying, sexual harassment and violence have been silenced by a climate of fear that includes the appalling use of Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to silence them.
Often they have been forced to leave while the perpetrators are protected, continuing and even thriving in their unions. But some women have been brave enough to speak out in this film – including Zelda Perkins, the former assistant to Harvey Weinstein who broke her NDA and helped spread the #metoo movement; and Sarah Woolley, the general secretary of the bakers union (BFAWU).
We need independent investigations in every union such as the GMB- commissioned Monaghan report. We need to make sure that NDAs are never used to silence women ever again. And most of all, we need a fundamental change of culture in our unions to make clear that this disgusting behaviour is not acceptable – and the perpetrators have no place in our movement.
We know that both men and women are complicit in lies and cover ups and that some existing structural and cultural difficulties are hard to challenge. But we have to be brave. It’s never too late to speak out and make our collective stronger. We are all part of the solution – or we are part of the problem. If you want to share your story in complete confidence, and/or get involved in #MeTU, contact metuwomen@gmail.com
