MUA women on the march

The national women's conference kicked off on Saturday with many MUA women delegates arriving early to celebrate International Women's Day.

Conference put forward resolutions to update the rules in recognition of women and their role on council. Resolutions also recognise the need for family-friendly workplaces and the right to paid parental leave for all workers, unpaid leave extended to 24 months for the main parent, the right to part-time work when returning from parental leave, removal of discrimination in superannuation for workers on unpaid parental leave, full voting rights for women representatives to national council, a national women's budget, workplace campaigns on family flexibility, a survey of members' family needs and the National Women's liaison officer position to be ongoing.

"Women now make up 10 per cent of the maritime industry workforce, 5.7 per cent of membership. One in four new members are women but 70 per cent are casual members with no job security." --

MUA National Women's Liaison Officer Sue Virago.

"MUA women are finding our voices and are being heard. We need to continue to raise the volume. With the ongoing support of our comrades locally, nationally and the support of our international brothers and sisters, the protection of our families will remain firm.

"We remember our forebears and what they did for their families, the struggles they fought and the conditions that they won. We need to bring this struggle into the future to ensure we get the best deal we can -- the right to work safely, the choice to have and raise a family without having to struggle to provide for them and, most importantly, to enjoy them."

-- National Councillor and women's delegate Karen Leavy

"When it comes to Kaz and Sue their militancy, drive and determination is fantastic. If it wasn't for Sue's work in the last couple of years we could not say this union is militant and progressive. Sue sits as vice-chair on the International Transport Workers' Federation women's committee. In the third world she is considered an inspiration for working women across the globe."

-- National Secretary Paddy Crumlin