During the Wave Hill struggle, unions arranged for Gurindji representatives to speak to workers in the southern states about their struggle. Click here to read more.
An important opportunity is approaching for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the AEU to take part in a union leaders’ symposium in Darwin.
To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk off by the Gurindji people, the leadership of the Australian union movement will be gathering in Darwin along with ATSI union members to discuss how to build an effective and inclusive movement.
The AEU NT has agreed to fund the travel and accommodation of up to eight (8) Indigenous members to participate in the events taking place in Darwin on 15-17 August. We will arrange your release from regular duties with the employer.
If you wish to apply to take part, please send an email expressing your interest to [email protected] no later than Wednesday 13 July. You must identify as Indigenous and be a current financial member of the AEU to be considered. Participants will be expected to take part in all events and assist the AEU in developing an Indigenous recruitment strategy.
Calendar of events
Monday 15 August (evening): Build a Better Future & Wages for Work Opening Community Event. From 5pm, formalities starting at 6:30pm, Darwin Ski Club (20 Conacher St, Fannie Bay)
Tuesday 16 August: ACTU Executive and ACTU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Union Caucus. Registration from 8:30am, 9am Start, Darwin Convention Centre. On Tuesday there will also be a gala dinner in the evening, 7pm Darwin Convention Centre
Wednesday 17 August: ACTU Union Leaders Symposium: Wages for Work. All Union & Aboriginal /Torres Strait Islander Delegates. 9am – 4pm Darwin Convention Centre
Event Information
Build a Better Future – Wages 4 Work Opening Event
Mon 15 August – evening
A union-community public event is being held to welcome officials and delegates to Darwin. This event is designed to raise the profile of the industrial discrimination against Indigenous workers through the Wages 4 Work campaign promoted under the banner of the Build a Better Future campaign.
Invitations will be sent to key alliance organisations, local union members and delegates, the Larrakia Nation and the broader Aboriginal community. Simultaneous Wages 4 Work union-community meetings will be held in other states, particularity those with a large Indigenous population.
ACTU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Union Caucus
Tues 16 August – all day
At this forum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander union delegates and leaders will be working through, prioritising and strategising around the industrial discrimination faced by Indigenous workers. The forum will be designed to provide space for high level discussions about these matters through the framework provided by the ACTU Innovation & Growth Taskforces.
Delegates and leaders will be asked to present and the lead the discussions at the ACTU Union Leaders Symposium: Wages 4 Work the following day.
ACTU Union Leaders Symposium: Wages 4 Work
Wed 17th August – all day
Opportunity to bring together the leadership of unions, the ACTU and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to discuss the industrial discrimination and policy challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
The Symposium will be presented with: research and data about where Indigenous workers are in the labour force, union membership and industry dynamics; case studies of industrial discrimination and ideas for innovation, growth and organising Indigenous workers arising from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Union Caucus.
Draft program
A draft program is available to download here.