WOMEN are still being treated as "second-class citizens" in the world of working men's clubs, according to a York equal rights campaigner.

Jackie Medley, a member of Bishopthorpe Social Club, was speaking after the latest vote to scrap the ban on female associate membership was thrown out.

The call to end a century of discrimination against women was put to the vote at the annual meeting of the Club and Institute Union (CIU) this month.

Current CIU rules mean that while women can join working men's social clubs, they cannot hold an association card that would allow them access to any of the union's huge network of clubs. Women trying to go to other clubs need to be signed as a guest, and cannot take part in CIU-sponsored activities such as darts and dominoes. Although 61 per cent of CIU members voted to scrap the ban, this fell just short of the required two-thirds majority. "Sexist" men in north-eastern clubs were blamed for voting to keep women away.

In April last year, Mrs Medley branded members of the CIU "cavemen" after they voted to maintain the ban on women members.

Her comments came only months after she lost an appeal against the club network for sex discrimination.

Speaking about the latest setback for women in clubs, Kevin Smyth, CIU general secretary, said: "I can't say I am surprised, but I am certainly disappointed. I believe a change would not only be right for the CIU, but also morally right. I am sure this matter will come up again at our annual meetings in the future, and I believe it is inevitable that one day the motion will be backed."

Mrs Medley, herself a CIU accountancy tutor, said she could not believe women were still being denied the same rights as men.

"I think I've gone beyond anger now," she said.

"I would be very surprised when it does go through, because no matter what, the men who are against women having any place in the CIU go to Blackpool to place their votes, and the people who want it don't always make the effort to go down and vote for it.

"The women are classed, to me, as second class citizens."

Frank Healy, secretary of the Acomb Working Men's Club and Institute, said: "This rule has got to come in eventually.

"I would like to see a rule change so that male and female members of clubs have equal rights. Ladies should be promoted to have associate cards.

"But the historical aspects of clubs must be honoured.

"Quite a lot of north-eastern clubs have men only bars. If they had this rule, ladies would have the right to demand entrance. We are talking about an environment where men can relax without minding their Ps and Qs."

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, April 13, 2005