site and have set up the women’s forum which we have a meeting once a month where all women on site are welcome to attend and get involved.


“We have also had people who run mental health buddies come and talk and tell us all about what they can do and how everyone on site can help.” Regarding PPE Marie said the forum has been fighting hard to get her employer to look at better uniforms for women workers and are in talks for more trials.


Maria explained. “We are just in the process of trying to get a new uniform trialled including trousers that are black


to just above the knee and then the hi- vis yellow and we are trying to get them to get an elasticated waist with a drawstring for our changing bodies over the month.


“Trousers can be very uncomfortable and very ill-fitting during the month. We also have problems with shirts and especially gloves as a lot of women have small hands.”


Maria hopes that her campaign at her workplace can be rolled out further in future. She added, “I hope to be able to get the company to do a trial on women's boots and the new trousers. Obviously at the moment I am tackling


17 Unite buildingWORKER Spring 2024


the company I work for but hope that we would be able to roll out to the other companies on site if I manage to win.”


buildingWORKER wishes Maria every success in her campaign.


Find out more Are you a woman worker whose


also fed up with ill-fitting kit? Contact your regional office/women’s officer. See page 31 to find your regional office.


Mark Thomas


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