What goes on

Generally tedious week at work, as usual, except for two union-related things, which were good. One is that in my new role as Branch Assistant Secretary, I get to have monthly "informal" meetings with the local managers. There's me and another bloke from the processing side, and two people from the front-of-house, customer facing side, then there are a couple of managers. We go over any issues, raise areas of concern, and they tell us what's happening. Or, in theory they do, we'll see. My first one went well, quite friendly really, which I suppose is the best way. It'll be interesting to see what happens when something comes up we don't agree on. I like finding out what's going on though, as far as is possible, and I didn't feel anywhere near as intimidated as I expected. I think as I do this more, I should get more confident at it, although I was pleased that I brought a few issues up and didn't just sit there and listen as it was my first one.

Also had a branch meeting, which was the usual stuff. I do feel sometimes in a bit of a testosterone-filled room though, there's me and one other woman, and about ten blokes. Most of them are fine although I do get talked over occasionally. It's brilliant compared to what other women reps from other branches have told me about trying to get themselves heard though. I'm pleased to be one of the few women on our branch committee, and hopefully by seeing that there are a few women doing that stuff, maybe others will get involved too. I'm going to conference in a few weeks, which I suspect will be full of middle-aged men, but we'll see.

It's the weekend now, thankfully, and I have caramel chocolate drops from Hotel Chocolat, Lush bath bombs, and lots of reading and writing to do. Should be good.