What is the Anna Stewart Memorial Project?

Designed to encourage more women to be active in unions, the Anna Stewart Memorial Project is a structured, two week long internship program consisting of two days each week at Trades Hall, with the remaining days in a union.

Gendered violence is a workplace health and safety issue. Like any other OHS issue, the risk of gendered violence can be managed, mitigated, and eventually eliminated.

Women have an essential and crucial role in our economy and society in both paid and unpaid work. 

A recent ACTU survey tells us that 85% of workers have or have had significant caring and parenting responsibilities for children and family members, BUT our workplace laws and workplace culture don’t allow them to juggle the demands of work and life.

We know that this work-life collision largely affects women. Women bear the majority of the load in parenting/caring, meaning women face disproportionate levels of job insecurity, casualisation when they take the time to care. The system is rigged against working women.

Is it time for women to strike?

At this one-day conference participants will workshop with union, legal and campaign experts on whether an union women’s strike is achievable, what it would look like and how we can make it happen.

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Michelle O'Neil, new ACTU President.

Participants will also build organising, and campaign skills to make change within their own workplace, organisations and communities. Attendees that will benefit include union officials and delegates, union members including student members, Health and Safety Representatives, community activists and advocates. We welcome women, gender diverse and non-binary folks, from all industries and backgrounds, including those unemployed and/or living with a disability.

Contact your union to register. If you’re not in a union, and would like to attend, register through this page.

The content of this day qualifies for the purposes of trade union training leave. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. Bookings are essential as places are limited.

* The CFMEU Building is wheelchair accessible. However, if you have additional needs, please contact us via email: women@vthc.org.au or phone: (03) 9659 3511 and we will try our best to accommodate. 

Each year the Victorian Union movement recognises and reflects on the activism of unionist Zelda D’Aprano, whose courage, determination and no holds barred direct action changed history for working women in Australia.

Maintaining financial independence and attachment to the workforce is critical for people trying to escape situations of family violence.

For both unions and employers, the Victorian Trades Hall Council offers training and support on addressing domestic and family violence as a workplace issue and successfully negotiating and implementing a domestic and family violence leave clause.

Register your interest in training here