Campaign committee engages community

Maree McDermott, Adrian Catt and Sharon Vassar.

by Kerri Carr

The Unions NSW regional campaign committee for the Federal electorate of Lindsay is reaching out to its community as it campaigns to make industrial relations a key political issue in the marginal seat for the federal election.

The Unions NSW delegates' meeting held at Nepean Rowing Club on May 15 heard the campaign committee consists of community groups with varying interests.

These groups include the Retirees Care for Your Rights at Work, Penrith Working Families, Lindsay Community for a Better Future and A Future for Our Kids.

These groups are keen to further the Your Rights At Work campaign in the general community.

Lindsay Community for a Better Future member Sharon Vassar urged delegates to talk to their neighbours about the impact of the WorkChoices law.

"Shove stuff in their letter boxes -- not just once, be consistent," she said.

She asked delegates to invite their neighbours to the Your Rights at Work Family, Friends and Community Day at Penrith Lakes on June 12 from 12.30.

"If we each take just one street, it [the Your Rights at Work campaign] will grow."

Unions NSW Occupational Health and Safety Committee and Workers Compensation Officer Mary Yaager said 100 people turned up to a Retirees Care for Your Rights at Work meeting at Penrith, declaring they fought for working conditions and wanted to maintain them for their grandchildren. She said she had no doubt the group would continue to grow.

A Future for Our Kids member Adrian Catt said the group was looking at ways to put pressure on local MP Jackie Kelly, such as childcare.

"This campaign won't be won by advertising or rallies but by talking to people and recruiting on a one to one basis."

He urged people to invite people they knew to the June 12 picnic.

In addition to finding out more about the Your Rights at Work campaign there will be a jazz band and kids' activities (including clowns, games and face painting). BBQ food and refreshments will be available.

Ms Yaager urged delegates to invite at least 10 people from their workplace to the event.

Penrith Working Families member Maree McDermott said the group was quite issues-based.

"We want to pinpoint some of the things she [Jackie Kelly] thinks she is quite good at and cut her off at the knees," Ms McDermott said.

Delegates to the meeting were updated on the statewide campaign and endorsed the ACTU Week of Action beginning June 26.

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Last Modified: 18 May 2006