Women urged to go for wharfie jobs

Date: 15 February 2002

Joint union/company bid for affirmative action

THE Maritime Union of Australia and P&O Ports, have embarked on a nationwide campaign to bring more women onto the waterfront, with first casual vacancies already advertised for Port Botany Sydney.

P&O and the MUA have recently joined forces to appoint a national women's liaison officer to help recruit women to one of the nation's last male bastions.

At present only around 2 per cent of stevedoring workers are women.

Sue Virago who was among a group of four women to first work on the Sydney wharves in 1995 has been seconded from her job at P&O, Port Botany to work full time from MUA national office. The aim is to bring many more women into the industry and make the wharves more representative of female participation in the workforce

"It's good pay with some of the best water views in Sydney," said Virago. "And it's all mechanised so you don't need to be an Amazon. Although the positions are initially casual, P&O train you how to safely operate sophisticated machinery, conditions are among the best in the country and the union's got a policy of making these jobs a career path into full time positions."

The advertisement which appeared in last Saturday's Sydney Morning Herald is as follows:-

P&O Ports are seeking casual employees to supplement their workforce in the loading and discharging of cargo at their Port Botany Facility.

Duties include the operation of mechanical equipment and general wharf, ship and clerical duties. The positions offer flexible work hours dependent upon shipping activities and applicants must be available to work irregular shift work including weekends and public holidays.

Extensive training in waterfront operational skills will be provided for suitable candidates.

Applicants must hold a current drivers' license, have at least five years work experience , be physically fit and be able to work at heights. And own transport is necessary.

The nature of the position is that you may be required at short notice for any shift Monday to Sunday. There are no guarantees of the amount of work available which will be irregular. Application forms are available from reception 8am to 5pm. Forms should be forwarded by 5pm Friday February 22, 2002 to:

The Human Resources Manager
42 Friendship Rd Matraville. NSW 2036
tel 02 9394 0900.

P&O is an Equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants form female candidates.

P&O ports provides a smoke free workplace.

CONTACTS: Sue Virago, national women's liaison officer, 0438-273236, Paddy Crumlin, MUA National Secretary 0418 379 660, Ann-Marie Ware, P&O Assistant Manager, 9364-8445, 0401-711495, Zoe Reynolds, MUA Media, tel 0417 229873

PHOTOS available on request

For further information

Contact:	Zoe Reynolds
Union:	Maritime Union of Australia
Phone:	0417 229873
WWW:	http://www.mua.org.au/

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