This month, we are highlighting one of our long-standing Delegates, Charmaine from Myer Erina.
Charmaine consistently supports her workmates in store with issues and provides valuable advice about their rights at work.
Congratulations on the recognition!
Discover what Charmaine values most about being a Union Delegate.
Why did you become a Delegate?
I became a Delegate to support my workmates. Our store didn’t have a Delegate at the time, and there needed to be a voice that could assist with bringing concerns to Management. Thankfully, the current leadership is approachable and supportive, but it has been valuable to always have the support of the SDA to back me in my role as a Delegate.
Why is building the union important?
In a nutshell – strength in numbers. Growing the Union is important to ensure that the conditions, benefits and workplace safety that has been achieved over the years by unions and their members is maintained for years to come.
What campaigns have you been involved with?
The SDA’s ‘No One Deserves A Serve’ campaign has been one that we drive consistently in store to remind our workmates that they don’t have to accept bad customer behaviour and reminds workers of the importance of reporting customer abuse and violence.
What has been your most notable achievement in your workplace?
Recently, one of my most notable achievements as a Delegate was assisting some team members who were misinformed of their Public Holiday entitlements, such as on Australia Day. Without the support and consultation of our SDA Organiser liaising with Store Management, some workmates would have been unaware of their Public Holidays entitlements and would have missed out on their Public Holiday benefits.
What have you enjoyed about being a Delegate most so far?
I have enjoyed many aspects of being a Union Delegate, in particular being able to successfully support my workmates in store with an array of issues and provide advice and information about their workplace rights and entitlements.