Women who wear blue collars
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35 women working in jobs traditionally the domain of blokes get together in Adelaide - including MUA maritime workers
Sue Virago reports
The Women In Male Dominated Occupations and Industries (WIMDOI)
conference celebrated its 10th anniversary in November with 35 women in town
for three days for the bi-annual conference.
The original WIMDOI concept was that women from non-traditional
working backgrounds be provided with a forum to share their experiences and
ideas, build concepts/initiatives that strengthen their workplaces through greater
equality and provide each other with a support network that would empower them
to continue in what can often be difficult and isolated work.
This years WIMDOI saw women attend from a range of unions,
industries and workplaces: paper mills, forestry, police and correctional services
departments, construction, distribution and even a couple of academics (from
the US studying women in male dominated industries) not to forget of course
stevedoring representatives Mich-Elle Myers and myself from Patricks and P&O
Ports respectively
Donation
Meanwhile at the November stop work meeting the CNSW and WA
branch meetings raised $250 and $150 respectively for the UN day of action for
the "Elimination of Violence Against Women". The money has since been
donated to community organisations that deal with women and children seeking
refuge such as the NSW women's refuge resource centre (WRRC).
Unionwomen@Work
The NSW Labour Council has set up a women's room on their website.
Working women now have access to important health and lifestyle information
following the launch of the Labor Council of NSW's 'UnionWomen@Work' website.
Launching the site to be housed on the popular LaborNet portal,
Labor Council NSW Secretary John Robertson said there was now a recognition
that women represented the trade union heartland.
The site contains up-to-date information on women's rights
at work including information on violence and bullying in the workplace, sexual
harassment, discrimination and conditions of employment.
The site will also contain healthy lifestyle tips, the latest
book and movie reviews and information on what's going on in the community.
MUA AWARD
The MUA received an honourable mention at this years ACTU awards
in the Jennie George category. We received this commendation for furthering
women in the union, increasing their level of activism, and bargaining for improved
outcomes for maritime families, (such as paid maternity leave and parental leave).
Again, EBA and branches should congratulate themselves on adopting these policies
and including such clauses in their negotiations.
"We still have a long way to go, but hopefully this award
and recognition will provide us with the encouragement to continue our great
progress," said MUA Women's Co-ordinator Sue Virago. "As we've stressed
before, paid parental leave entitlements are not purely women's issues. They
are important for society, as all parents should be given the opportunity to
support their families when they are needed the most, such as during the first
year of a child's life. Workers' also need access to carers leave to look after
sick partners, children and parents.
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