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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports   
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Sarah Kaine – Organiser
Sarah has continued to assist in the development of the organising capacity of the Labor Council in four main ways:
Organising assistance to Individual AffiliatesIn 2000 Sarah was allocated to work directly with affiliates who were committed to increasing their organising efforts by funding an Organising Works trainee also provided by the Labor Council This resulted in Sarah leading organising campaigns with the Health and Research Employees Association and the Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees’ Union of Australia. The Health and Research Employees AssociationThe priority areas for the organising campaign at the HREA were determined to be Aged Care and Allied Health. Labor Council trainee, Lauren Hutchins, was selected to work with Sarah on the HREA campaign. The campaign resulted in the HREA establishing union contacts in a number of aged care facilities. It also resulted in the instigation of a campaign for equal pay in private hospitals, involving a significant number of workers in union activity. Inroads were also made into the allied health area with professionals becoming more involved in a number of sub-branches and activities. During the year Sarah worked closely with the HREA to develop appropriate training programs for sub-branch representatives, delegates and new members. In addition, Sarah delivered specifically tailored training sessions to organisers and targeted sub-branches. Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees’ Union of AustraliaThe priority area for the Organising campaign at the MEU was determined as being white-collar workers at strategically selected councils. Labor Council trainee, Brooke Pendlebury, was selected to work with Sarah on the MEU campaign along with the MEU’s own trainees. Results included white-collar workers in a number of councils identifying issues of concern and developing and pursuing workplace campaigns around them. Of particular note was a campaign run at Liverpool Council, which resulted in a significant increase in union membership amongst indoor staff and the back payment of unpaid overtime affecting close to the entire workforce. In addition to co-ordinating the day-to-day work of the three Organising Work’s trainees allocated to the project, Sarah’s work at the MEU included developing and facilitating a two day training program for metropolitan and country organisers and conducting campaign training for delegates and members. In conjunction with both the HREA and the MEU, Sarah has provided options for ongoing support in the next year to ensure that the gains made in 2000 are built upon. An Organising Culture – The Organising Conference2000 saw some significant movements towards the adoption of a more Organising based approach by a number of affiliates. Sarah developed and programmed an Organising Conference to coincide with the Labor Council’s Annual General Meeting, on the 24th February. The purpose of the day was to further the understanding of organising ideas and techniques amongst affiliates. Workers from health, retail and IT opened the conference with personal accounts of organising in their workplaces. Workshops run on the day included:
The Conference successfully introduced over 130 organisers to the main issues and debates of contemporary organising. Workers Support RegisterTo further develop the interest of those who have signed onto the Workers Support register two half-day information/discussion groups were held. These were aimed at informing supporters about the challenges facing workers and the union movement. In 2001, Sarah intends to work closely with Alison Peters to more closely link the register to community activities around workers rights. Sarah commenced maternity leave at the end of August and returned to work on a part-time basis on 5th of December 2000. Previous
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