
National Week of Action 2023
The NTEU National Week of Action is over for 2023.
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But the commitment to better workplaces and better universities isn't.
NTEU members know how important it is to ensure that hard-won rights and conditions don't disappear.
If you are a union member, it's time to step up.
If you're not a union member yet, it's time you joined.
What happened in WA for the National Week of Action 1 - 5 May 2023*

*Sunday 30 April (in WA, we kicked off the week with...)
May Day 2023 Community Festival and March
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Community Festival: 10:30am - 2:00pm
Music and Speeches: 11:30am - 12:00pm
March: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Monday 1 May - International Workers' Day
It's Monday! It's also International Workers' Day and the official start of NTEU's National Week of Action!
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Rest up after attending May Day in Freo and watch one of the following brilliant union-themed movies to get you in the mood for the week!
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Norma Rae (1979) - Directed by Martin Ritt and starring Sally Field in an Oscar-winning performance, Norma Rae is based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton. The film follows Norma Rae Webster, a factory worker with little formal education in North Carolina who, after her and her co-workers' health are compromised due to poor working conditions, becomes involved in trade union at the textile factory where she works.
You can watch it for free on Vimeo here
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A Bug's Life (1998) - Not the most obvious choice, you might think. But in this wonderful Pixar animated film, the concepts of work, colonisation and getting organised to stand up to management are all covered. Watch it with your kids and have a conversation about justice for workers!
Click to get a taster: "You let one ant stand up to us then they ALL might stand up. Those puny little ants outnumber us a hundred to one and if they ever figure that out, there goes our way of life!"
You can find A Bug's Life on streaming services for rent/purchase as well as for free on Disney+ (or dig out your DVD or VHS copy!)
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And for a heart-thumping film about organising and solidarity...
Pride (2014) - Based on a true story, Pride depicts what happens when a group of LGBTI+ activists raise money for Welsh families affected by the British Miners' Strike in 1984.
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You can find more union and solidarity-themed movies here
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Tuesday 2 May

UNDA - Coffee Conversations
Fremantle:
When: Tuesday 2 May from 12noon - 1:00pm
Where: Please meet at the Education courtyard (ND36)
With special guest, Federal Member for Fremantle, Josh Wilson
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Thursday 4 May

NTEU Curtin Branch Member Recruitment Drive
When: Thursday 4 and Friday 5 May
Where: All over campus
We all know that union membership doesn't start and end with bargaining.
While bargaining has definitely been the focus of the NTEU Curtin Branch lately, it's time to remind non-members that their union is here, working for the rights of staff, ALL the time.
Let's wrap up the National Week of Action by hitting the streets (and buildings) of Curtin and spreading the message that it's always a good time to join the NTEU.
We need YOU to sign up for one or more sessions and be part of the Sea of Purple through the Bentley campus.
Sign up for a recruitment session on Thursday and/or Friday to grow the Curtin branch!
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Confronting Unsafe Workloads & Psychosocial Work Hazards at Universities
with UnionsWA Secretary Owen Whittles, Julia Armitt of Unity Training, and NTEU ECU Branch Workplace Rep and member of the ECU Centre for Work + Wellbeing, Dr Alexis Vassiley.
When: Thursday 4 May from 12:30pm
Where: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Building 21, Case Study Room 201, ECU Joondalup Campus
Find out more here including how to register
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UNDA - Coffee Conversations - Sydney/Broadway Campus
When: Thursday 4 May from 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Where: Broadway Main Courtyard, outside St Benedict’s Church. If raining, NDS2.101.
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Seek Wisdom Exhibit and Pizza Party
Come to the Great Court (in front of the Reid Library) to explore the Seek Wisdom-themed community art and craft exhibit and show your support for better working conditions at UWA. Bring a colleague along to enjoy the exhibit, pizza and guest speakers.
When: Thursday 4 May from 1:00pm
Where: UWA Great Court (in front of the Reid Library)
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Find out more here including how to register
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Friday 5 May

Murdoch - NWA Friday Session Watch and Wrap Up Party
Watch the live-streamed NTEU Friday Session: Fair pay, safe workloads, secure jobs. It’s time for better workplaces and better universities as part of the NWA Wrap Up in the company of your union colleagues at Murdoch
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When: Friday 5 May from 11.30am - 2pm
Where: Building 460 Room 460.2.031, Murdoch University
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Find out more here including how to register