Top female unionist speaking out at Women’s Conference

By Siobhan Callan

National Tertiary Education Union State Secretary Chris Game will address delegates on the impact of the Federal Government's workplace laws, university funding policies and union working conditions at the Federation Women's Conference on March 31.

She also plans to talk about the importance of unions implementing affirmative action strategies so women can take up positions often traditionally been held by men. Chris was elected as NTEU State Secretary, NSW Division in 2004, eight days before the Howard Government won the Senate majority. In May 2005, the Federal Government released the Higher Education Workplace Regulation Requirements, which dramatically limited the ability of the NTEU to represent its members.

Chris is the first woman to be elected into a full-time salaried position of secretary in the state division of the union.

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle will address Conference delegates on Federal industrial relations and education policies in the lead-up to the federal election.

Other speakers include Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, from Deakin University, who will discuss her latest research into gender and culture issues in education.

As of March 12, more than 150 female Federation members had registered to attend. Please contact your Association Secretary or Federation Organiser to inquire about funding to attend the Conference as a country delegate. City delegates may register by phoning Siobhan Callan, Federation Women's Coordinator on (02) 9217 2152.

Siobhan Callan is the Women's Coordinator.

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March 2007 contents