     |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
           Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  Jul-Aug 2008        |
|
Women@Work: Your StoriesI'm in the UnionNicole Watson, mother of three, wife and wharfie...
Nicole Watson, mother of three, wife and wharfie at P&O Port Botany was one of four MUA women attending a regional seminar held by the International Transport Workers' Federation in the union rooms in March. And on International Women's Day she marched through the streets of Sydney calling for women's rights and protesting the wrongs of war. "My three-year-old, Kalla, is still marching around the house chanting 'No racism, No war, that's what we're fighting for!' Activism starts early in this family."It started for Nicole in 1998. Husband David was one of 2000 workers locked out of the gates at Patrick and Nicole was on the picket with her family every day, getting vocal with the media and at conferences as an advocate for the union. "I love to be loud and proud, standing up for my rights and fighting for what I believe in," says Nicole.She attended the women's delegate course in St George's Basin last year, sits on the national women's tele-network and took time off from work and family to be part of the ITF meetings and the march. Guest speaker at the seminar was ACTU President Sharan Burrow. "She's amazing. Really inspiring. It's hard balancing family and work. Dave and I try to work different shifts. That way someone is always at home with the kids. You can't work the ship schedules around the family. But perhaps a creche at P&O would help as would more maternity leave. Of the 20 women who started with me last year, half have children. And most men have kids too.Nicole, who started out as a horticulturalist with the council, now holds her gantry crane ticket. "I never wanted to be in an office. I like the physical activity. I've got more than enough energy for the job and enjoy being part of a large workforce where united we keep strong. The women on the job have a strong bond. I'd love more of us to be active in the union." |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
    |
This page: http://mua.org.au/women/1050301515_27414.html Site proudly designed and engineered by Social Change Online |
© 2001 Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) |
