Sunday 20th and
Monday 21st August 2023
@ Panthers Penrith
Women’s ongoing fight for equality in the workforce has meant that the opportunity for women to work in all of our industry sectors has increased, whether full time, part time or casual. The changing demographics of the male to female ratios of Council and Shire employees, Energy employees, and Private Sector employees has been replicated in the changing demographics of male to female ratios in our membership.
The USU Women’s Committee is made up of women activists from all industry sectors; this Committee plays a vital role within the Union. Its mission is to empower the voice of women, to promote, advocate and achieve equity for women within the workplace and most importantly, in your community.
The USU Women’s Committee furthers the Union’s resolve to draw women into the industrial landscape as women play a vital role in the diversity and growth of the Union movement. This Conference gives women the ability to have a voice in an environment where opinions are encouraged and where participation in discussions is supported.
I urge women delegates to attend this vital Conference.
Graeme Kelly OAM
USU General Secretary
USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
The USU Women’s Committee was established to develop strategies to assist women activists in the USU and to increase female membership of the union. The committee also assists in the development of policies on issues affecting women in the workforce and society.
BECOME INVOLVED
All USU female members are invited to attend the USU Women’s Committee quarterly meetings.
Those attending the Women’s Committee use the Conference to exchange information and ideas on issues of importance to women workers across New South Wales.
A DRIVING FORCE
Women of the Union need to be active to ensure equal representation and keep women’s issues on the Union agenda. The Women’s Committee is the driving force in issues such as:
- Female Participation in Industrial and Political Spheres
- Raising Awareness on Women’s Employment and Social Issues
- Protecting and Enhancing Women’s Rights
- Work & Family
Edna Ryan and Betty Spears Awards 2023
At the Women’s Conference 2023 the USU will present the Edna Ryan Award and the Betty Spears Award.
The Edna Ryan Award specifically recognises an outstanding female delegate who represents members in the Local Government sector, while the Betty Spears Award specifically recognises an outstanding female delegate who represents members in the Clerical & Administrative, Airlines or Energy & Utilities sectors.
Which outstanding female delegate will you nominate?
The awards recognise a delegate who is supportive, innovative and outstanding. We all know one and this is your opportunity to get her recognised!
Nominations close on the 21st July 2023.
ABOUT EDNA RYAN
Edna Ryan had a life of extraordinary activism on behalf of the working class generally and working women in particular. After the war and well into the 1970s when Edna was over 70 years old her energies were focused on the Municipal Employees Union where she embarked on many campaigns, with a major focus on working women and the ongoing struggle to achieve equality in the workplace.
Her research, submissions and lobbying were critical in the landmark equal pay decision of the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission in 1974.
ABOUT BETTY SPEARS
Working for women’s rights Betty Spears was Secretary to the Equal Pay Committee from 1967-1975 and was instrumental in organising the Committee’s successful joint political and legal campaign following the 1972 Federal equal pay case. She was a member of the Women’s Advisory Council 1976-78. In 1978 Betty was active in the formation of Working Women’s Charter Committee, established to help eliminate anomalies relating to equal pay and promote equal opportunity.
In 1984, she was instrumental in the WWCC, securing a grant from the Federal and State governments to establish a long day child care centre for bus employees, leading to establishment of the Betty Spears Child Care Centre at Tempe.
ABOUT EDNA RYAN
Edna Ryan had a life of extraordinary activism on behalf of the working class generally and working women in particular. After the war and well into the 1970s when Edna was over 70 years old her energies were focused on the Municipal Employees Union where she embarked on many campaigns, with a major focus on working women and the ongoing struggle to achieve equality in the workplace.
Her research, submissions and lobbying were critical in the landmark equal pay decision of the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission in 1974.
ABOUT BETTY SPEARS
Working for women’s rights Betty Spears was Secretary to the Equal Pay Committee from 1967-1975 and was instrumental in organising the Committee’s successful joint political and legal campaign following the 1972 Federal equal pay case. She was a member of the Women’s Advisory Council 1976-78. In 1978 Betty was active in the formation of Working Women’s Charter Committee, established to help eliminate anomalies relating to equal pay and promote equal opportunity.
In 1984, she was instrumental in the WWCC, securing a grant from the Federal and State governments to establish a long day child care centre for bus employees, leading to establishment of the Betty Spears Child Care Centre at Tempe.
