ASU Jill Westthorp Member Organiser Programme

We want you! An Opportunity to Work in Your Union Office

Jill Westthorp - Member Organiser

A Short History

Jill Westthorp was a long time active member and Workplace Rep for the Community and Public Sector Union before commencing work at Kidney Health Call Centre in 2003. Coming into a difficult work environment, Jill's commitment to fairness and her drive to ensure people were treated with respect saw her not just join her Union the ASU but quickly take on the role of Workplace Rep.

Jill wanted to explore different ways of contributing to her Union and in 2005, despite beginning to suffer from a very difficult illness, Jill took on the role of ASU Member Organiser. Since 2004, we have been running the Programme.

As a tribute to the commitment and work of ASU Workplace Rep Jill Westthorp who passed away in early 2006, our Member Organiser Programme has been named the Jill Westthorp Member Organiser Programme.

What is the Programme About?

The Programme gives ASU members the opportunity to work in their Union Office. Programme participants will learn how they can help grow their Union and develop the skills needed to organize members to win in their workplaces and industries. Progressive Unions around the world are growing and winning on workplace and industry issues by incorporating Member Organiser Programmes into their everyday work. ASU Member Organisers are part of our Union's future. Member Organiser Programmes really work ... for the whole Union and for members who participate.

Each Member Organiser will be based in the Branch for a period of three months. Leave without pay from the Member Organiser's current workplace will be negotiated and Member Organisers will be paid by the ASU or we will reimburse the employer for the Member Organiser's wages.

Member Organisers will work closely with Union Organisers on a range of projects and campaigns.

The Member Organiser Programme is for ASU members who can demonstrate their commitment to the ASU through their current, or recent, participation in Union workplace activity. It is particularly suited for Workplace Reps who have undertaken Workplace Reps education at the ASU Office.

There may be opportunities for Member Organisers to join the ASU as Organisers in the future.

How do I get involved?
To register your interest in participating in the ASU's Jill Westthorp Member Organiser Programme, please download the attached introducation and Expression of Interest form and give it to an ASU Organiser or send it to the ASU Office,
PO Box 2217, Kent Town 5071 or fax it to (08) 8363 2225.

Download File:
Member Organiser Introduction and Expression of Interest [ pdf ]