The MUA says it is making progress in its campaign to achieve 10 days paid family and domestic violence solidarity leave to help family members by rendering assistance in crisis situations. Having already secured the inclusion of the leave in agreements covering six workplaces, the union last week launched an industry-wide campaign to extend the entitlement to every maritime workplace.
MUA women’s representative Taamara Husband says the solidarity leave provision “socialises the responsibility of caring for people experiencing violence”.
In early 2023 the Federal Government made 10 days paid Domestic Violence Leave a workplace right for everyone working in Australia. This was a huge leap forward and a hard-won achievement for the union movement. The MUA complements this initiative by introducing Family and Domestic Violence Solidarity Leave.
Sydney Branch Organiser Shane Reside said “this leave is for maritime workers to render assistance to their loved ones in times of crisis. For example, if my sister in Brisbane was to call me today in tears because her partner has torn the house to pieces, I could get in the car, drive up to Brisbane, pick her and the kids up and bring them back to safety. That would all be covered by this category of leave.”
Ms Husband said “we’re calling it solidarity leave because that is exactly what it is: solidarity. Women should never be alone in the face of Family and Domestic Violence. But who is available to help really?”
The MUA are also rolling out training for union delegates focused on how to recognize when our loved ones are experiencing violence, what we can meaningfully do to help them, and how to support the roll out of this leave across the industry.
Domestic Violence NSW CEO Delia Donovan said: “Leaving an abusive relationship is not simple or always safe. Initiatives such as the MUA’s solidarity leave are an important step – they recognise that the decision to and action of leaving requires support from trusted friends and families. Particularly when we have a response system that is overwhelmed and underfunded. Granting this leave can be the difference in someone’s pathway to safety.”
Read more: Maritime Union launches Family and Domestic Violence Solidarity Leave | Maritime Union of Australia