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Issue No. 125 | 22 February 2002 |
Unfair and Dismal
Interview: If Not Now, When? Activists: Fighting Back Industrial: Croon And Divide Politics: Politics of Extinction History: Harry Bridges: International Labour Hero International: Rats in the Ranks Review: Follow The Fence, Find The Truth Satire: Howard Screws Refugee Kids: G-G Turns Blind Eye Poetry: Let It Be
Building Workers' Bid to Win Back Lives Dog-Tired � Long Hours Leave Beagles Buggered Home Care Workers Reject Sweat Building Commission's Costly Spin Caltex Asked To Explain Price Hikes Palm Sunday Resurrected for Refugees Dismissals: Labor Blocks The Lot Company Collapses: Union Wants Bank Powers Legal Action to Block Job Exports Councils Targeted in Contracting Campaign CFMEU Constructs Lebanese Bridge Israeli Aircraft Destroy Most Of Palestinian Union HQ
The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review
Tom's Foolery Give Us a Spray!
Labor Council of NSW |
News Women Wanted for Wharf
The Maritime Union and P&O Ports have kicked off the push with an advertising campaign encouraging women to commit to waterfront careers. Sue Virago, the only wharfie employed by P&O at Port Botany, has been appointed national women's liason officer to kick the campaign along. She will carry out the role, from the MUA's Sydney office, on a two-year secondment. Virago, who chucked in varsity studies to join P&O as a 19-year-old in 1995, urges more women to consider maritime careers. "It's a good job on the wharf, the money's good and if people show aptitude there is scope to move from casual to permanent employment," she said. "It's not the heavy, dirty job it once was. Sure, you have to be physically fit and capable of lifting 15kg to 20kg weights, but most operations have been mechanised. "Most good car drivers can learn to operate the forklifts, cranes and internal travel vehicles we use and it is one of the few places where you can pick up those qualifications." Lashing containers is about the only remaining work requiring real physical strength and, given the states of some of the vessels visiting Sydney, can prove equally difficult for men as women. To an extent, Virago's new role puts her on the spot. For years, she concedes, she has been taking shots at her employer about the lack of women joining the ranks. "It's hard when you're by yourself," she admits. "The men here are a good bunch to work with but I still have to desensitise myself to the language and some of the behaviour. "When I walk into the terminal, I change who I am." If women take up her challenge, she hopes, that will change. Virago says she will be available to counsel and help any women who take the waterfront option. She will also be taking the message out - to schools, TAFEs and their various career days. "The main thing to change is perceptions," she says. "Forty of fifty years ago, women wouldn't have thought about applying for jobs in the police or fire services but those barriers have been broken down and we will do the same." P&O are advertising casual positions for physically fit people who hold a current drivers license, have at least five years experience in the workforce, and are able to work at heights. Workers OnLine understands that more than 200 males responded to original ad against 10 females.
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