Skip to main content
NEU Senior Regional Support Officer
A woman’s place is her union – but women must be made to feel welcome there
Revisiting the work of Bolshevik revolutionary Alexandra Kollontai HELEN O’CONNOR finds that when genuine efforts are made to involve working-class women into the labour movement, this advances the interests of the entire working class
Alexandra Kollontai

WORKERS are under attack on every level but especially women. Women are more likely to be in part-time, low-paid work because the burden of caring still falls primarily onto our shoulders. 

The impact of cuts and privatisation has negatively affected working-class women in terms of employment, where privatisation has cut pay, terms and conditions. 

Women are forced to provide the services, particularly caring, that have been deemed unnecessary or unprofitable. As a result too many women are firmly relegated to the ranks of “the working poor” for the entire duration of their lives.  

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Graffiti that reads Austerity is Failing
Features / 30 August 2025
30 August 2025

Our charter’s demands for fair pay, affordable housing and environmental security will recruit working-class youth into the political struggle for socialism, emulating the success of the Women’s Charter, writes YCL general secretary GEORGINA ANDREWS

Philipa Harvey speaks to conference
Features / 21 June 2025
21 June 2025

ROS SITWELL reports from the Morning Star conference on ‘Race, Sex and Class Liberation’ last weekend

Features / 15 March 2025
15 March 2025
As trade unionists gather for their annual conference, battles against health service privatisation and exploitation of migrant workers highlight the urgent need to counter Reform’s divisive message, writes KERRY BAIGENT
A woman showing signs of depression (picture posed by a mode
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
Women’s hard-fought-for rights are facing sustained and serious ideological attack. Let this International Women’s Day be a call to arms, says Professor MARY DAVIS