Zane Alcorn, rank and file member of the CFMMEU, constriction division.

How long have you been a union member?

I’ve been a member of the CFMEU for about 6 years and was a member of MEAA and LHMU prior to that. So on and off for about 13 years. Prior to that I was involved in the student union at Newcastle uni and I was elected enviro officer at one point.

Why did you join the union?

Back around 2006 or so I went to a May Day film screening by Green Left in Newcastle and watched “Rocking the Foundations”. Here we go, what’s this boring black and white video these crusty old socialists want to show us, I thought.

Michelle Reeves, rank and file member of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)

How long have you been a union member?

A long time! Joined at 16 at my first workplace with a union presence.

Why did you join the union?

When I was 16, I was lucky enough to be working in a unionised industry!  Most of my team were in the union, had union stickers on their desks, and pamphlets about joining in the break room. Union presence was high, and most workplace matters were discussed through a unionist lens.

Kim Bullimore, NTEU Rank and file

How long have you been a union member?

I am a currently a member of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). I have been a rank-and-file member now for 5 or 6 years. However, I first joined a union more than 30+ years ago, when I was 19 or 20 years old and working in retail. Coming from a working-class family, I understood the importance of being part of a union, as they are the basic defence organisation for the working class. Trade unions allow us to collectively organise, to fight and defend workers right and to act in solidarity with oppressed and minority groups.

Giles Fielke

NTEU Delegate

How long have you been a union member?

Since I was a teenager, working at my local Safeway supermarket (who today are best represented by RAFFWU, and not the SDA ‘shoppies’, which I suppose I was a member of at the time).

Kath Larkin, Rail, Tram & Bus Union
Delegate & Deputy Women’s Officer

How long have you been a union member?

14 years (in various unions)

Why did you join the union?

I grew up understanding the importance of not just joining but being an active member of a union. My mother is a nurse and was involved in the rank and file campaign led by Irene Bolger within the nurses union in the 80s, which successfully campaigned to reform the union. Most notably they were able to remove the anti-strike clause in the constitution. And my grandfather was a member of the tramway union and participated in the 1969 general strike to free Clarrie O’Shea. So from my first job in a cafe at 15 I’ve always joined my union.