The AMWU will specifically target the issues that affect women at work and focus on increasing women’s involvement in the union as part of the strategy to grow the Union’s membership.

Research on the affect of WorkChoices on women showed that female workers suffered drops in pay and lost conditions at a faster rate than men.

Officials, officers and senior delegates from the AMWU met in Melbourne last week to discuss the issues affecting women in the manufacturing industry.

New South Wales TSA Secretary, Robyn Fortescue, said the key to ensuring that women got good pay and conditions was to increase their participation in the union.

“There is a still a perception amongst some that union work is men’s work, even in 2008, and we need to work on turning that attitude around.

“Evidence shows that women who become active in the union benefit enormously from their involvement.”

Proposals arising from the meeting will be discussed throughout the union and will be presented to the National Council in coming months.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said that specific programs would be considered to maximise the participation of women in the union.