December 2010

By Lorraine Usher, NSW Energy District Secretary

Recently the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division backed moves to increase the involvement of women members at all levels of the union. The stronger focus on women’s involvement is a reflection of the growth of women in not only the mining workforce but also in other industries that have been traditionally male dominated.

The Union is committed to support for the creation of affirmative action positions for women members as additional positions throughout the decision-making bodies of the CFMEU. The Union has also agreed to create at least one contact officer for women for each Division”, she said.

In August, the Union’s Queensland District organised a CFMEU Women in Mining and Energy Conference. It was held in the mining town of Moranbah in Central Queensland. The women delegates were able to get together and reflect on a wide range of issues including camp and mine facilities, work/life balance, discrimination and harassment on the job as well as the broader workforce issues such as career paths and training. There was a lot of discussion about bargaining and enterprise agreements as well as how women can be more effectively represented throughout our Union structures.

Some Delegates from this conference took part the following month in the bi-annual Women in Male Dominated Organisations and Industries (WIMDOI) held in Brisbane. It was particularly pleasing to see the high level of representation by women from our mining and energy industries. Indeed, the CFMEU had representatives from all our Divisions who took part.

The growing involvement of women in our Union was also reflected in the 17 female delegates that attended the CFMEU National Conference with representatives from all Divisions present.  All Conference delegates were briefed on developments and the Union has endorsed that a CFMEU Women’s Conference be held each year.

This has been a particularly good year for advancing the interests and representation of women in our industries and our Union. Focusing on a greater role for women in our Union is not about separation but rather designed to strengthen our Union. As more and more women come into traditionally male dominated industries it is important that we recognise that they face particular issues and challenges. However, our whole focus is on advancing the role of women so that they stand equally with our men in fighting for all our rights at work and in continuing to build our great Union”

Visit our photo gallery to see more pictures from the conference and of women working in mining.

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