Think about why you are a member of your union

A message from the President Lillia Rozaklis.

This year will be my 40th year as a member of the Public Service Association (PSA), which matches my tenure as a public servant. Being a member of my union has been an integral part of my career in the public sector. It was a decision I made all those years ago and one that I re-commit to each year, because I want to be part of the decision-making processes that affect me at work.

Being a union member is about actively taking charge to ensure that you are protected in the workplace – knowing that you are a part of a collective that has the power to influence positive change and also to question policies and practices that may adversely impact on your working life and career.

Many people see union membership like a car or house insurance policy, providing support and protection if and when you need it. There have certainly been times when I have had to call on my union for support when issues have arisen at work. Without that support, I would have been alone and vulnerable.

But being part of a union is so much more.

It is rare for individuals to make an impact on our world. Certainly, there are exceptions and exceptional individuals, but people truly have the power when they work together, and that is what being a union is all about. As PSA members, you and I are the union. Without us, there is no union and certainly no PSA office staffed by professionals who manage the day-today business of protecting our industrial rights and advocating on our behalf.

Membership of your union offers many opportunities and numerous benefits. Members can get involved in active roles such as being a Worksite Representative or by participating in campaigns, explaining membership benefits to colleagues and reiterating what we as a union have achieved together on behalf of the public sector workforce.

Being a union member is about actively taking charge to ensure that you are protected in the workplace – knowing that you are a part of a collective that has the power to influence positive change.

While all members benefit from the provision of industrial support, legal services, enterprise agreement negotiations and journey accident cover, the PSA also rewards members with access to a range of cost-saving benefits including discounted shopping and petrol cards, metroCARD recharges, cheap movie tickets, and great deals on theatre shows and the annual WOMADelaide festival. All of this can make a tangible difference to the household budget and even cover the cost of membership fees.

There is no doubt that cost of living pressures are biting hard, and many PSA members have to actively budget to retain their membership. I understand that, but I would encourage you to see your membership as an essential investment in your working lives. Your fees are also tax deductible. So if you can make your union membership cost neutral, why wouldn’t you?

This year, we will begin negotiations with the government over the next enterprise agreement for salaried staff. This agreement covers around 40,000 public sector workers in South Australia. The stakes are high and we all want a fair outcome that recognises and values the work public sector workers do and also the cost of living, which has severely hit our hip pockets. To be a force to be reckoned with, our best bet is to grow our numbers to increase our power at the negotiating table. It’s important to remember that what we have achieved in past enterprise agreements is not set in stone for all time. All of us, simply by being members of this union, work to protect those gains and achieve further improvements. Without us, there is no agreement and a corresponding threat that hard-won conditions, workplace rights and fair pay will be eroded.

I urge you to think about why you are a union member and why membership is important in your working life. Share your passion with those colleagues who have yet to be convinced of the value of being part of this wonderful collective. Encourage them to join the union that protects us and to lend their support to the voice that seeks a fair outcome for us all. I can’t see too many arguments against that.