Michael Wright has recently come to work for the IEU as an Industrial Officer. He is looking forward to gaining wins for individual members and bringing real change to their lives.
Michael has been working in unions all his life, most recently at the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association. He has also worked at the Fire Brigade Employees Union and CFMEU.
“At the Nurses I was an industrial officer working in a team called Strategic Industrial Bargaining, bargaining for the big public sector nurses’ award and enterprise agreements with private hospitals and aged care operators,” he said.
“It was incremental work rather than dealing with individuals. I’m looking forward to more one on one contact with members at the IEU.
He said union work was “important and meaningful” as “it’s about bringing dignity to people’s working lives, and in doing that you get a bit yourself”.
New areas of exploration for him include education specific issues, such as child protection and teacher accreditation.
“Some of the enterprise agreements are really interesting. There’s a novel approach to workload issues and the structuring of awards and agreements with a points system for promotions positions, as the Union tries to develop meaningful careers for members.
“Workload issues are important in all industries and the IEU is not unique in that respect.
“Enhancing dignity for members at work is always a good thing. It makes a big difference to their lives.”