The USU Executive has recently approved the creation a new reference group for USU members who identify themselves as LGBTIQA+ or as allies of the LGBTIQA+ community.

The new reference group will be known as USU Pride and will play a leading role in developing policy to improve the lives and working conditions of the USU’s members in the LGBTIQA+ community.

Workplaces have come a long way in terms of support for LGBTIQA+ workers, but there is still a long way to go, from creating safe and supportive spaces free from homophobia and transphobia and creating policies and entitlements for provisions such as gender affirmation leave.

The LGBTIQA+ workers’ struggle can often intersect with and support the broader movement for better working conditions.

The reference group will be led by two USU Officials from the Energy, Utilities, Private Sector and Airlines team- Peter Munford and Lyndal Butler, who will act as Co-Convenors. Peter and Lyndal have both achieved significant wins for members in their respective workplaces, and have previously worked together in negotiations at QantasLink, where they achieved substantial wage and conditions increases for members.

No worker should feel like they can’t bring all of themselves to their workplace, and the fight for LGBTIQA+ rights leads to better working conditions for all.

Our community has always been at the forefront of our union movement, and the labour movement is strengthened by the fight for social justice. 

All members of the USU who identify themselves as LGBTIQA+, questioning, or as allies of the LGBTIQA+ community are welcome to join the reference group.

Search USU Pride Network on Facebook to get involved! or visit here https://www.facebook.com/groups/usupridenetwork

We will be holding our first online meeting for USU Pride at 6:30pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026. This meeting will be an opportunity to discuss our campaign priorities and agenda for 2026, and plan some future events for this group.

By engaging with networks like Pride, members help strengthen the collective voice of the union and ensure that inclusion, safety, and respect remain central to workplace change.