Strike Out

Time: 9:29am

Today, 2 million public sector workers in the UK have gone on strike to protest cuts to their pensions. These cuts, like others, will have a disproportionate effect on women.

What had me cursing? The fact that the Sure Start Children's Centre down the road still opened its doors today. It can do this because the majority of its staff are so-called temporary workers. Part-time, low paid, inevitably almost all women.

Sure Start Children's Centres have suffered big cuts all over the country. These particular women are the staff left over from a sudden cull at Easter. So even if they were unionised, they're not likely to protest any shitty treatment while in such a precarious position.

Vince Cable and Pregnant Women

Time: just after 8.30am

I wasn't listening too closely to Radio 4's Today program but the topic was proposed changes to employment law. The interviewer asked something about protected conversations and what would happen if employers gave out about pregnant women taking lots of time off. Vince Cable reckoned that was an extreme example.

Because women being fired due to pregnancy is such a rare problem.