Unite The Union reps at Lancaster have worked with colleagues from across the University to make free sanitary products accessible to staff. From September 2021 sanitary products will be available from five vending machines at locations across Bailrigg campus. The University’s announcement can be seen by staff on the Intranet. Some quotes from the article:
We have been collaboratively working on this project after presenting the idea at a communication and consultation meeting in September 2019. This was prompted by Unite’s national period dignity campaign and is a positive step in changing attitudes around periods. It’s also been an excellent example of partnership working between Unite the Union and Lancaster University as an employer. This is a fantastic step forward for Lancaster University, and Unite are very happy we are now at a stage to implement free sanitary products for staff.
Jessica Fisher – Unite Health & Safety Rep
As an employer committed to advancing equality for our staff, this is an important step for us to take. It is also a great example of how our University and its Unions can work well together. I’d like to thank everyone involved in this project.
Russ Quigley, Deputy Director of People and Organisational Effectiveness
The free vend products are available in five locations across campus chosen for their proximity to high-footfall areas, and are in the following gender-neutral facilities:
- Bowland North- B077 accessible washroom
- Health Innovation One – D15d5 accessible washroom
- Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) – C22 accessible washroom
- Management School West Pavillion – WP C037 accessible washroom
- InfoLab21 – C09 accessible washroom
You can locate the free vend machines via the Mazemaps family friendly site.
What is Unite’s Period Dignity Campaign?
Unite launched it’s Period Dignity Campaign in 2018 and got its first win at the Rolls Royce Washington site in the same year. The campaign demands that women and girls have period dignity and calls for sanitary products in the workplace and places of education to be as normal as having access to toilet roll.
By making changes in our workplaces, places of education and in society, Unite believes women and girls will be able to have a positive period knowing that they are able to access sanitary products.
If you have any comments on the campaign or on how the free vend is working on campus please get in touch with one of your reps.