Bob Crow said the Women's Charter is aimed at "putting companies on notice that this is what we want them to implement." He spoke about the looming crisis in pensions and said we are facing what might be the biggest dispute in 70 years. The three rail unions have united to launch a National Campaign to defend pensions, to be launched on March 9th.

Tony Donaghy pointed out that the Women's Charter benefits men as well: "every gain for women in the workplace, is a gain for men". He also reminded Conference that increases in pension contributions and decreases in benefits will have a disproportionate effect on women, whose earnings, on average, are substantially less than men's.

Vicky Boroughs, full-time officer for the National Association of Probation Officers spoke about their campaign to prevent privatisation of the probation service, which will have a disastrous effect on jobs and the service itself. Conference was unanimous in its support.

Houzan Mahmoud spoke about the rise of fundamentalism in Iraq since the war and occupation. Her organisation, Organisation for Women's Freedom in Iraq, advocates women's rights, and she has received death threats for her belief in secularism and feminism. They have helped to establish the Iraqi Freedom Congress which advocates an end to the occupation and the establishment of a progressive, secular state, not one run by the USA, nor by Islamic fundamentalists. Conference donated £100 to her organisation.

A workshop on Young Women in the RMT concluded that we need to update our image, make meetings less boring and provide more political education. Sponsorship of youth events - a music festival would be great - and TV advertising would reach a wider audience. Trades unions have problems communicating with young people, not just young women.

With 73,000 members, however, the RMT is the fastest-growing union in Britain, so we must be getting something right!

Conference sent two motions to the Annual General Meeting of the RMT: one asking for the RMT to elect Regional Women's Organisers, to achieve more effective grass-roots participation of women, and one calling for "equality audits" of all rail pension schemes, as well as a campaign against reductions in benefits and increases in contributions.

Women in the RMT are getting stronger and more confident. Every woman member can help in this process by getting involved in her branch, and standing for election as a representative, delegate or Council of Executive member. Come to the Women's Conference next year, and find out what it's all about!

GLEN BURROWS, BRISTOL RAIL