Women in Leadership: Angela Carrigan

We champion women’s development and leadership at Community, and want to empower more women to come forward and become active in their union. As part of our Women in Leadership series, we are shining a spotlight on some of our members who are making a difference in their workplace. The third profile in our series is Angela Carrigan, who sits on our NEC as a steel and metals sector representative.

I’m Angela Carrigan. For the past 19 years I’ve worked at Dalzell Steelworks in Motherwell, 14 years as a Steel Technologist within the Technical Department. I’m mum of two sons, 20 years old and 15 years old, and am currently navigating the transition from full time taxi driver/kids football supporter to actually having a social life again!

For the past 4 years I’ve been a member of Community Union NEC, holding one of the 3 Steel sectorial seats. I’m also a member of the Metals sector Committee. I’ve always been a Union member but decided to take a more active role almost 10 years ago after Dalzell was mothballed by Tata and reopened by Liberty, taking on the role of Branch Chair with the support of our Branch and Branch Secretary.

As s Rep within the Steel industry, each day is a roller coaster ride with continued uncertainty for the past 10 years especially. I’ve only been able to continue due to the support network I’m very lucky to have. This includes my Branch Secretary, Ross Clark , who with 48 years Community Union experience has provided a great apprenticeship; my teammates, who have supported my Union activities by ensuring work is covered when I’m away; and my family, who have stepped up and looked after themselves when I’ve been away.

Being part of Community has afforded me a voice to highlight the need for the UK Steel Industry. I’ve marched with fellow steelworkers, met politicians to discuss Steel, visited parliament, spoke at STUC congress, Community Conference, and the first Labour Party Conference since Labour got back in power. Whilst promoting Dalzell Steelworks and our workforce I’ve met interesting people and made some great friends. Although it’s not always easy being a rep, the comraderie keeps you going.

It’s important for women to step forward if that’s what they want to do. In 2025, we should not be talking about how ‘women’ need support with personal development plans to progress within the workplace, women are not lesser beings. Leadership roles should be on merit rather than gender. Unfortunately, the problem is women are consciously or subconsciously perceived to have additional baggage, either current family demands or potential future family demands. What we need is to address this outdated stereotyping. Women kept the country going industrially during two world wars while bringing up their families alone, so why now nearly 100 years later is it not just the norm that men and women should be considered equally on merit?

What we need is a level playing field, affordable childcare, flexible working, and embracing technology – why travel for meetings when you have Teams or Zoom? But most importantly we need to get rid of the outdated perception that men are better than women in the workplace. All employees, regardless of gender, deserve support and development opportunities to progress in their workplace.

The more women that get involved the more normal it becomes. It’s hard work at times but also very rewarding. Most importantly don’t beat yourself up trying to juggle union, work and family – you’re not superwoman! Learn to look after yourself, compromise and ask for help. Nobody can do it all.