     |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
           Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  Sep-Oct 2008        |
|
Women@Work: Your StoriesI'm in the UnionKaren Leavy, an inspiration to us all.
"I love being a union member. I love being a seafarer, and I love being a woman doing what I'm doing" Meet Karen Leavy, MUA national councilor, pearl diver, prawn boat deckhand and cook, IR, Women's committee member and mother of Kimberley, 2 ½ and Karri, 1. "I've always been a bit of a pioneer, I did prawning for 3-4 years, then I did pearling for 3-4 years ending up as one of the few women divers in the industry. It was fantastic. Diving 20 meters under the water took my breath away. Unbelievable! It's a beautiful environment." But there was no union, conditions were hard and work was tough. Karen applied and got into the last round of IR trainees down at the Maritime College in Tasmania. Karen graduated to her first ship, the Ormiston, in Melbourne in 1998 - the day after the lock out on Webb Dock. So it was straight on the picket line. The following year Kaz was the Fremantle branch delegate to the women's conference "I remember my second child was born on the day of our first MUA Women's teleconference. I had to give my apologies and leave early." This July conference elected Kaz as the 2nd women's representative to National Council. "I want women to stand with guys and have their say and be stronger unionists. I aim to keep active on women's issues, get more women involved, support my local branch and help out with the pearling industry." Karen is now relieving on the tugs and enjoys being able to both work and have a family. "A family friendly workplace is very important for men as well. All the blokes I've come across are supportive. I've had unfaltering support from all WA branch officials, activists and members welcoming women into the industry. Al, my partner, is an MUA man and he is 120 per cent behind me." This story can be found in the Maritime Workers Journal Volume 10 No 4. The women of the MUA all agree that "Mama Kaz" is an inspiration to us all. "I couldn't imagine doing my job without the continuous support of Karen, her drive and ability as an activist is second to none"....."the union has a great asset in Kaz". Sue Virago MUA Women's officer. |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
    |
This page: http://mua.org.au/women/1043970134_21805.html Site proudly designed and engineered by Social Change Online |
© 2001 Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) |
