COVID-19 continues to present so many challenges to our workplaces. From schools, to prisons, to offices; a lot has changed and is changing for us. But we know from our What Women Want report last year that COVID-19 also presents opportunities for us as women and as unionists that we are all working together to achieve. At out Women’s Council last week, we discussed a few things we can do together to improve our communities, our jobs and change things for women, even if we are in lockdown.
BreastScreen: sign the petition
The pandemic isn’t a good reason to stop vital preventative care for the women of NSW. Our health system, like all our public services, should be funded to look after everyone properly. That’s why removing vital early detection from women is such a poor decision, and we are joining thousands of people in calling on the Health Minister to reverse this decision. Join us here:
BreastScreen Sign the Petition
Please share the petition on social media, with your work networks, with your family and friends.
Dress for Success: help women in need
Dress for Success has launched its community hub to get more fundraising done for women in need. Dress for Success is a great example of practical solidarity, ensuring women are well presented and able to get to interviews and back to work in locations all over NSW. The new hub includes ways to fundraise online, together with your friends, or even run a virtual marathon. You can sign up here:
Please have a look at the new hub, sign up, and consider holding an online event in your workplace to support Dress for Success. Maybe even get a team together for your virtual marathon!
Nowhere to Go: help our sisters at the ETU
Women in Electrical Trades deals with many of the issues faced by our women members in male-dominated occupations, without even the most basic of facilities: a toilet. The ETU is working to change this. Sign the petition here:
Nowhere to Go – Sign the petition
Need help? We’re here
The pandemic and associated stressors are a difficult time for many, and women may be particularly vulnerable. Your union has a range of services available, particularly if you need to leave home to go somewhere safe. All state Health Orders permit a person to leave home to go to somewhere safe if required. You can find some of the resources we provided on our Domestic Violence microsite. More resources are available; please contact the MSC for more details.
Know someone who would benefit from union membership? All the women in your workplace will, so forward this email on and invite them to join. There’s never been a better time to make sure your workplace is united. Join the PSA HERE
In unity,
Trish O’Brien
Chair, Women’s Council
Nicole Jess
President, PSA/CPSU NSW Women’s Council Executive