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 About Us  About Unions NSWAbout UnionsWho's WhoInformation Centre What's Going On? Annual Reports    
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Alison Peters, Deputy Assistant Secretary –
Community
Affairs
TransportThe re-election of the Carr Labor Government, and the appointment of a new Minister for Transport Services, have seen several major reviews of public transport in NSW. As a consequence significant changes have been proposed affecting public transport workers particularly in the rail industry. The broad scope, together with the pace of changes, has created an environment of uncertainty for affected workers. As a result, there has been a need for wide ranging campaigns and co-ordination amongst unions. Alison, together with Mark Morey and other Labor Council officers, has worked with public transport affiliates in developing coordinated campaigns to address the many issues arising from these reviews. This has involved Alison in research, planning, lobbying, consultation and negotiations on issues such as legislative change, workplace restructuring, work value, medical standards and new human resource policies and procedures. Alison has also worked with other officers and affiliates to develop and implement organising campaigns so that the unions improve their strength when dealing with the issues confronting them. Work and FamilyThe Prime Minister identified managing work and family responsibilities as being a “barbecue stopper” for Australians. While the federal government has done very little, this issue is a high priority for unions. Alison liaised with the ACTU regarding the test case lodged with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and provided advice and information about the case to affiliates. Alison has also spoken at conferences, to community and professional organisations and students about a range of work and family issues. A successful forum of unions and community organisations to discuss the ACTU’s proposed Child Care Policy was arranged by Alison in the lead up to the ACTU Congress. This policy will form the basis for a campaign in 2004 to increase the availability of quality, affordable child care and to recognise the value of child care workers with appropriate pay and conditions. Alison has also worked with the NSW Department for Women and WorkCover to promote and disseminate guidelines for employers in dealing with pregnant workers. These guidelines, which were formulated with the Labor Council, are clearly needed given the continuing high number of pregnancy discrimination cases being dealt with by unions. CommunityAlison has continued her work liaising with a wide range of community groups on issues of importance to affiliates and their members. By working in broad alliances with other organisations we can better secure a fair and decent society through our collective strength. Alison represented Labor Council on the Save Medicare Alliance which was established during the year to defend and promote a universal health care system based on need. Given the rising costs of health care, this is a particular priority for workers and their families as the Federal government seeks to move the responsibility from a collective basis to one of user pays. Alison worked with Special Projects Officer Amanda Tattersall to develop resources that unions could use to educate their members about the issues involved. She also attended meetings, organised union involvement in rallies and events, assisted with lobbying and continues to work on the Alliance’s campaign to ensure workers can access quality health care regardless of their capacity to pay. This year Alison also worked with Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA) and Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network (AFTINET) on various campaigns related to fair trade issues. With the federal government negotiating several free trade agreements it is important for unions to understand the implications both for Australia and other countries. A number of unions have run industry specific campaigns regarding the impact of such agreements for their members, and the broader community, and Alison has assisted with those campaigns. Other responsibilitiesAlison’s other significant work during the year included: -
Alison has represented the Labor Council on the following Boards and Committees: -
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