Rail workers’ union statement on abortion rights vote

Posted on May 21, 2008
Filed Under ENS Women

RMT welcomes MPs’ rejection of cut to abortion time-limit

Rail, maritime and transport union RMT has welcomed MPs’ decision not to lower the legal time limit for abortions from the current 24 weeks.

“Our union supports women’s right to choose whether or not to continue a pregnancy, and we welcome the rejection by MPs of attempts to cut the time-limit,” general secretary Bob Crow said today.

“We know that whenever access to safe, legal abortion is restricted, it is working-class women who suffer the most.

“That is why we see this as a trade union issue and why we wrote to all Labour MPs urging them to reject attempts to cut the time limit” Bob Crow said.

“Few women have abortions after 20 weeks, but those who do are usually the most vulnerable, struggling with very difficult circumstances,” said Janine Booth, chair of the union’s national women’s advisory committee.

“The best way to reduce the number of late abortions would be to take effective measures to reduce unwanted pregnancy, and to make access to earlier abortions easier, for example by improving NHS provision”.

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For further information contact Derek Kotz on 020 7529 8803 or 07939 595 092