CWU takes action against sexual harassment

The CWU communication workers’ union has struck an agreement with the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to tackle the high levels of sexual harassment reported by many female postal workers.

“We are acutely aware that problems of bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, have existed within our industries,” said CWU general secretary Billy Hayes. “With the aid of the EOC we have mapped out a strategy for ensuring our workplaces and our union are prejudice-free zones.”

The union is relaunching its harassment helpline (which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week), holding equality training sessions for all active members, and ensuring that each of its 200 branches has a fully trained equality officer. It is also committed to providing details of action it will take against members who are guilty of harassment.

Hayes acknowledged that one of the worst aspects of harassment is that it can be the victim who feels guilt. He said: “We will end that false concept by taking the positive line that reporting harassment is a laudable step. We need to know when and where harassment is occurring so that we can take effective action against it. We will record all formal complaints of sexual harassment made by our members so that we can analyse and review them thoroughly.”