Our 2025 Delegate of the Year, Laurie Canty has been a USU member for over 40 years and sat on our Southern branch since it’s inception.
A committed unionist, he is the driving force behind workplace mapping, recruitment, and a strong and highly effective group of workplace activists at Goulburn-Mulwaree Council.
Unionism is important. It’s the right thing to do because it supports workers and stops them being picked on unfairly. Unionism levels the playing field.
Pictured above: From left to right: Rudi Oppitz (United Services Union, Wollongong office), Aarron Vann (United Services Union, Wollongong office), Stuart Geddes (United Services Union, Wollongong office), Laurie Canty (Goulburn-Mulwaree Council), Scott Gallacher (Goulburn-Mulwaree Council), Gary Vann (United Services Union, Wollongong office).
In addition to his own highly effective advocacy, the group of workplace activists he’s built up over the years is large, highly effective and has brought positive workplace changes to council.
Thanks to Laurie’s workplace activist group, the use of labour hire and casuals has reduced significantly. As our members know, this is often a never-ending battle in a council but to date, they’ve been successful every time.
When asked what his biggest win as a delegate has been, he said ‘helping cleaners who were using their own cars for work get their money back.’
An effective recruiter, Laurie speaks to every new starter at council and will follow up with anyone who does not sign up initially.
Because of all this and more, Laurie has long held the respect of members and council management alike.
This respect from both sides is demonstrated every time council managers, GMs, HR Directors and other members of council’s senior management team contact him for advice any time there are proposed policy changes or there’s been an incident involving a USU member.
It is further demonstrated when they accept Laurie’s opinions more often than not which secures good outcomes for our members.
Council was so pleased to hear Laurie had won delegate of the year that they held a celebratory BBQ lunch for Laurie a few weeks after conference.
USU staff from the Wollongong office attended alongside Laurie’s fellow members, council management team members and Anna Watson, Member for Shellharbour.
Congratulations, Laurie and thank you for everything that you do for your union and fellow members.
