Are you a Job Rep who would like to know more about the work of your union by spending two weeks at ANMF (Vic Branch)?
Since 2001 the Belinda Morieson Program has been providing ANMF Job Reps with an overview of our work as a union. ANMF (Vic Branch) is calling for Job Reps who are interested in the June intake to contact their organiser for referral.
The program is named after the former Branch Secretary Belinda Morieson, to help recognise her commitment to the role and training of Job Reps. Under her tenure, from 1989–2001, the first delegates conference was held and membership doubled through her emphasis on the Job Reps’ role in member recruitment and mobilisation.
Program participants spend two weeks at the Branch’s office gaining insight into the work of the Branch by talking with staff members including industrial organisers and officers, Member Assistance, and professional officers, and going along to union activities such as member meetings and Fair Work Commission hearings.
June participants get automatic registration for the Delegates Conference.
Bendigo Hospital emergency department nurse and Job Rep Ben Phillips completed the Belinda Morieson program in 2019.
The program gave Ben the opportunity to work alongside his region’s organiser Loretta Marchesi and witness the processes involved in assisting and supporting members. In the second week of the program, Ben was at the Branch headquarters in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, gaining insight into the work of the Branch overall.
‘I felt really well looked after and valued by the whole team at ANMF and am thankful to be a representative and member,’ Ben said.
I would highly recommend this program to any passionate job reps, and especially those considering a future career with the ANMF.
If you are interested, contact your ANMF organiser. Job Reps are initially nominated by their organiser and the Branch Secretary makes the final selection from the list of nominees.
Some of the factors that contribute to a Job Rep’s chances of being successful include:
- how you’ve demonstrated your commitment to the Job Rep role
- involvement in current workplace campaigns
- being proactive in dealing with workplace issues on behalf of members
- recruitment of both new members and new Job Reps
- participation in union training, seminars, meetings and other union activities.
The Belinda Morieson program is a counterpart to the Victorian Trades Hall Council Anna Stewart Memorial Project, which is available to female Job Reps only.
