The Australian union movement has a long tradition of standing in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As unionists, we believe that all workers and all people deserve to be consulted about changes in the workplace and in society that affect us – and that by speaking up collectively we can make change that benefits us all.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee
History
The a historic agreement was forged in September 2003 between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and the IEU, where a memorandum of understanding committed both organisations to developing an action plan which aimed to increase the number of ATSI students in non-government schools and improve employment opportunities for Aboriginal teachers and education assistants.
The General Secretary of the IEU at the time, Dick Shearman, appointed Ms Diat Callope as the union’s ATSI Cultural Advisor. Following the retirement of Diat, the decision was made to convene an ATSI Committee.
Purpose
The purpose of the Committee is to provide practical advice to the Executive and Elected officials so that these good intentions can be transformed into measurable outcomes
(L-R: Craig Duncan, Karen Andriske, Marilyn Jervis, Kylie Booth-Martinez, Megan Sampson, Lyn Caton, Jackie Groom, Aunty Mary Atkinson, Vince Cooper)
Committee Members
Jackie Groom
Craig Duncan
Karen Andriske
Kathryn Baxter
Kylie Booth-Martinez
Lyn Caton
Mary Aitkinson
Megan Sampson
Michelle Thompson
Pam Smith
Vince Cooper
Expressions of interest to join the committee are welcome –ieu@ieu.asn.au
