United magazine Summer 2016

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
STAND UP AGAINST
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On November 1st Virgin
Australia joined forces for the
third year in succession with the
White Ribbon Foundation. During
the Month of November Virgin
Australia encouraged travellers to
stand up, speak out and act to prevent
men’s violence against women.
Domestic Violence Leave:
We won’t wait
Karen Avery addressed the rally
to launch the We Won’t Wait
campaign earlier in the year.
“As White Ribbon Supporters
ourselves we would like to thank
Virgin Australia for joining the
fight once again, and hope to
see this continue in the coming
years!” said USU General
Secretary Graeme Kelly.
Virgin Australia Ground Crew
Agreement 2013 will be expiring
on 30th June 2017. It’s time we
start to think about what you
would like to see in your terms
and conditions. In the new year
your union will be sending out
surveys so we can formulate a log
of claims, during this time it is
important that you have your say!
The USU negotiated a DVL
clause in the last EBA with Virgin
and will be looking to secure that
during upcoming negotiations.
The USU/ASU is calling for
members who are proactive and
want to further their involvement
with your union to become
delegates or workplace contacts.
Delegates and contacts are an
essential part to any union and
USU/ASU is no exception.
The USU joins Unions NSW and
other unions in calling for 10
days paid domestic violence leave
for all workers. We are calling on the
NSW Government to stand up at the
COAG meeting on Friday, December
9 with other State Premiers and
support 10 days of paid domestic
violence leave in the National
Employment Standards (NES).
Friday the 25th of November
is the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against
Women and began 16 Days of
Action as part of the We Won’t Wait
Campaign to put pressure on the
NSW Premier to act.
One woman is killed in Australia
almost every week by a partner or
ex-partner. Two thirds of women who
The 16 days of action campaign
launched at the White Ribbon
breakfast: Nick Herbert, Melissa
Coros, Karen Avery and Sean Szabo.
experience domestic violence work.
On average, 184 incidents of
domestic violence are reported
in NSW every day. Yet there is no
basic entitlement for a worker
experiencing such violence to access
leave. This is why unions and their
members must fight to have this
entitlement included in the NES.
Shellharbour Council members proud to
participate in the White Ribbon Day March
On 25 November as part of White
Ribbon day members along with
delegates Dave Ryman, Richard
Hurd and Aarron Vann took the
White Ribbon Day oath.
20 • United Summer 2016