Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

• Your Rights at Work
•  > VTHC Women's Officer
•  > Anna Stewart Memorial Project

Anna Stewart Memorial Project Participants

Anna Stewart Memorial Project Participants

Cynthia Salmons and Nicole Smith

What a fantastic two weeks we have had both at Trades Hall council and at the branch office of the ANF. Under the guidance of Jennifer O’Donnell-Pirisi, Victorian Trades Hall council, Women’s Officer, we have had the opportunity to experience with other female Shop Stewards, delegates and job representatives, issues related to women in the workforce and the role unions take in guiding resolutions and outcomes.

Speakers involved at Trades Hall have included State Secretaries of CFMEU, CPSU-SPSF, TCFUA and Lisa Fitzpatrick from our own ANF. Many of these discussions included current issues related to Workchoices, AWA’s and the right to collectively bargain. All important issues for women and their need for new IR laws. Anna Stewart paved the way for many of the conditions for women in the workforce, through her inability to accept that women should be paid less for equal work, social awareness and fighting to rectify equalities that even today still exist in the workforce.

The Victorian Branch Office of the ANF has welcomed us into their team. Particularly Melva and Helen. Our agenda organised to the last minute to ensure we experience many and varied roles of organisers, OH&S and educator.

We had the opportunity to observe a branch council meeting, organisers meeting and industrial/professional officers meeting. It has been an eye opener as to the level of commitment that each of these people brings to the ANF in support of its members. Going out on the road with organisers to the work place in varied settings, public, private and aged care was an eye opener into the role of ANF in ensuring our EBA is implemented and maintained.

Thankyou once again to all involved with the Anna Stewart Memorial Project. It has been an honour to be nominated and work alongside you.

Cynthia and Nicole