I'm in the Union

Ferrygirl Lorraine Ryan

Lorraine Ryan is a Balmain girl. Her great grandfather was the local milkman and her great grandmother the midwife for Pyrmont. Husband Joe works on the dredges and her father in law was renowned wharfie Billy Ryan, banjo player and singer from McHales Navy gang. Son Josh worked on the ships before settling in the States and daughter Michele works with her on the ferries.

Lorraine is an active union member and ferries delegate in the MUA women's network. In August she was MUA rank and file women's delegate to the ACTU Congress.

"On my first day at Congress I felt like a little fish in a big pond, I kept asking myself what I was doing there. But by the end of the day I knew I belonged. And by the end of four days I was so self-confident I could have stood up and addressed Congress."

Instead Lorraine fronted NSW Premier Bob Carr and put it on him about how State Ferries had left her and the majority of the workforce as casuals for three years.

Casual labour figured heavily in ACTU Congress discussions. Lorraine is also committed to the ACTU/MUA policies of family friendly workplaces. Around the ferries working women all say they want paid maternity leave, parental leave and carers' leave.

"I was so inspired by the women there," she said. "There wasn't a shrinking violet among them. They all walked strong and proud. It gives me such hope for my granddaughters."

And as for ACTU President Sharan Burrow -- "She wouldn't take a backward step from anyone. Phenomenal. I think she should be Australia's first woman PM."