The Government's attacks on trade unions through the Trade Union Act is an attack on the rights of women workers, NASUWT National Executive Member Kathy Duggan has told TUC Congress in Brighton.

With women now making up an ever larger proportion of the trade union membership, the Trade Union Act is an attempt to hamper their ability to organise in the workplace and secure their rights, she told delegates.

She said: "It is no surprise that a Government that seeks to abandon the Human Rights Act also seeks to abandon the rights of women to organise in the workplace.

"A women's place is in her trade union-and that place is under attack."