United magazine Summer 2019

OUR GREAT TEAM @ NZ DIA
Members at the New Zealand
Department of Internal Affairs have been
hard at work this year improving working
entitlements and pay for their colleagues
in Sydney. As yet, an Enterprise
Agreement has not been ratified but
this group of enthusiastic and talented
members deserve praise and congratulations.
It has been a pleasure working
alongside these members and the USU
looks forward to working with them all
in the future!
TOP TEAM:
Left to right: Chanelle Nicholson,
Lasi Lagolago, Paul Hodgson,
Alessia Bergantino-Mitu, Bree
Wyllie & Mons Fata-Meafou.
SPOTLIGHT ON USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE
STEPPING OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE
When Vicki Hodges first joined
the union it was as a member of
the Federated Clerks Union, which
later merged with the Municipal
Employees’ Union to form the
mighty USU. Vicki now works
at Bega Valley Shire Council, so
when it comes to USU history she
has quite a story to tell.
I first joined the union at the age of 20
when I commenced work at General
Motors Holden Dandenong. This was
a very large corporation at that stage.
The plant built Toranas, Commodores
and Isuzu Trucks. The engines were
built at the Fishermen’s Bend Plant in
Port Melbourne. These were the heady
days when Peter Brock was “King of
the Mountain” and we would often see
him around the office. General Motors
was a “closed shop” and everybody had
to be in the union, hence I joined the
Federated Clerks Union. I started as a
Key Punch Operator and worked up to
the position of Supervisor Data Entry. I
had 40 staff on 2 rotating shifts to organise.
I can remember attending Stop
Work Meetings for different issues. In
those days we were docked for those
meetings.
Vicki Hodges
I now work in Local Government at Bega
Valley Shire Council. I am the Indoor
Delegate but I also represent outdoor
staff as well. We have many issues to
deal with in Local Government as we
cover a wide range of jobs and employees.
I am also the Vice President of the
Southern Branch of the USU which I find
very rewarding. I have run the AGM and
General Meetings for the branch in the
absence of the President. I have now got
a good working relationship with many
delegates from the councils in our area
and have made lasting friendships with
some.
I love being a workplace delegate, serving
on Consultative Committees and liaising
with Organisational Management
which is challenging but rewarding
when you have a win. I love telling my
members that we “have their back” and
it will be OK.
I have been on the USU Women’s
Committee for a number of years and
have been Secretary for most of them.
My first Convenor was Clare Raffan. I remember
the day she organised lunch at
Parliament House. I was so excited meeting
Anna Watson and Sophie Cotsis.
Sandie Morthen is our current Convenor
and has encouraged us to step out of
our comfort zone. She is creative and
energetic and is challenging us all to be
better people and stand up for our rights
and those of other people.
I love being on the Women’s
Committee and supporting Women
in the Workplace. I know we will
find more innovative ideas and programs
to support in 2020.
12 • United Summer 2019