News

Early childhood educator Marian Rakosi has spoken about her life and what inspired her to become a leader in her union's Big Steps campaign. Read the full story here:
http://workinglife.org.au/2014/07/04/because-of-my-union-i-have-a-voice/

Here is an excerpt from Marion's July 3 speech at the Wheeler Centre in Melboure:

From the day I joined my union, United Voice, I learned that the meaning of power was simply the ability to act. I decided to stand up and speak out for our 97% female-dominated profession that had been historically undervalued and underpaid as “women’s work”.

I sought out and seized every opportunity to advocate for early childhood education and care as:

•   the foundation of education for children;
•  an essential service for families to return to the workforce and;
•  a profession in itself.

This is what has led me to where I am today.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, union membership is declining but it is the first time that there are more female workers currently at 19% compared to male workers at 17.5% that are members of a union.

For me, unions are about uniting people with the same issue and who want to fight for social justice and equality in our world.

You only get out what you put in

Because of my union, I have had the opportunity to meet like minded people in my profession from across the country and build what I know are lifelong friendships.

Because of my union, I literally sat at a table with just four other educators with the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard and shared my concerns and vision for our profession.

Because of my union, I had the opportunity to jump the fence and work a union organiser myself for 14 months so that I could spark fires of advocacy in educators across the state as Doumuoa had done for me.

Because of my union, I have a voice.

I believe the only catch with unions is that: you only get out what you put in.

Note: This is an edited version of a speech Marian Rakosi gave at the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on Thursday, 3 July 2014 on The New Unionists: Early Childhood Education and the Big Steps Campaign.