However, it was unclear whether women who had to take time off because of issues such as miscarriages or ectopic pregnancy would be covered by the legislation.
Hilary Slater, lawyer for the Equal Opportunities Commission, said: “The tribunal in this case has clearly shown that sex discrimination and unfair dismissal rights apply to women who are adversely treated because of absence due to pregnancy-related conditions and illness, including such sad events such as ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, in the same ways as other pregnancy related issues.”Pauline Berry, 29, from Yorkshire, had been working as a warehouse operative for more than six months for Potter Group’s branch in Selby, and had just been offered a permanent post when she was rushed to hospital with an ectopic pregnancy.Ectopic pregnancies, which can be fatal, occur when the egg is fertilised outside the womb.”My ovarian tube were ruptured and I was bleeding heavily. If a woman takes time off because of pregnancy or has given birth and is then sacked the law is clear that this is sexual discrimination. A WOMAN who was sacked for taking time off with an ectopic pregnancy has been awarded more than pounds 15,000 compensation after a tribunal ruled that it was a pregnancy issue, not a sick leave case. Campaigners said the case, believed to be the first of its kind, was a breakthrough for establishing real equality of opportunity for women whose working lives are affected by pregnancy and childbirth. There have been times when it has been difficult to resist the latter interpretation,” he wrote in the left-wing journal New Times.But Mike Homfray, political education officer for Crosby Labour Party, said: “If we are to attract more ordinary members to policy forums, we must bear in mind that most people do not like attending meetings and streamline our activities accordingly.”. Liz Davies, a left-wing member of the NEC, told Tribune newspaper: “Activists should be aware that the proposal to ‘reform and modernise’ the structures means the abolition of what democratic decision-making there is left in the Labour Party.”John Egan, who has resigned as the Labour official in charge of party policy- making in the North-west, said the “Partnership in Power” programme, set up by Mr Blair to avoid previous conflict between the party and Labour governments, had not worked.”This is either the consequence of an enormous miscalculation by Millbank, or it was designed to fail.

But only a small number have expressed an interest and officials now believe a change to Labour’s rules, bringing in a new structure, is the way to secure the reform.”It’s not about neutering anybody, it’s about making the party more outgoing and attractive to new members,” said a Blair loyalist on the NEC.Mr Blair will seek to sugar the pill for activists who oppose his change by arguing that all-member meetings would increase grassroots input into Labour policy-making.However, Mr Blair’s critics are sceptical, saying the party has little opportunity to influence government decisions or the manifesto on which Labour will fight the general election. A report of the committee said the review planned to consider “whether local party structures are suitable for current campaigning demands and whether there is a need to reform and modernise them”.Labour’s Millbank headquarters has encouraged constituency parties to experiment by abolishing their general committees. “He is trying to close down the party, not open it up,” one left-winger said.Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will launch a consultation exercise next month on the future of local parties. Labour officials believe many new recruits are abandoning the party quickly after becoming disillusioned by tedious, long meetings that pass old-style resolutions.
Mr Blair, who wants local parties to “connect” with their communities, sees the abolition of the general committees as the final part of his Labour modernisation programme, following the introduction of “one member, one vote” ballots and the abolition of Clause Four.But his plan will be strongly opposed by left-wing activists and some unions, who will see it as a further attempt to water down their influence.

The Prime Minister wants local parties to broaden their appeal to ordinary voters by scrapping their general committees – the last stronghold of left-wingers in some areas – in favour of all-member discussions on policy and social events. We would recommend that employers ensure they are fully aware of what is expected of them under maternity rights legislation,” said Julie Mellor, chair of the EOC.. TONY BLAIR is planning to demolish the last bastion of Old Labour by forcing constituency Labour parties to reduce the influence of activists and the trade unions. Last year it received 900 complaints from women who believed they had been sacked because of their pregnancy.In a recent EOC survey of women who had asked for help with pregnancy related claims, 34 per cent were dismissed or threatened with dismissal when they told their employer they were pregnant, 28 per cent before they went on maternity leave, 18 per cent while they were on maternity and 3 per cent when they returned.”Employers gain by good practice in the treatment of women who are pregnant because they retain valuable skills and experience while reducing recruitment costs.