CFMEU Construction marks the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day by encouraging all women in construction to ‘Be Strong, Be Union’.

The CFMEU’s call comes as construction workers across Australia begin negotiations for a new round of collective enterprise agreements.

“Nationally, Australian unions are marking the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day with redoubled efforts to close the persisting gender gap in pay that leaves women earning almost 18% less than men.

“Women are often attracted into male dominated industries like construction because of the higher rates of pay they can get in this industry,” said Dave Noonan, National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction & General Division.

“Construction workers earn good wages and enjoy good working conditions because they have fought hard with their unions over the years to achieve them. All women working in this industry – be they as crane operators, carpenters, scaffolders and painters, operating heavy plant on civil jobs  or as ticketed workers and labourers – benefit from the same wages and conditions as the men.

 “By joining the CFMEU, and fighting together with their workmates for union collective agreements, women construction workers can also ensure those wages and conditions are maintained into the future.”

 The CFMEU has been a leading supporter of many of the women’s campaigns for equality over the past 100 years, including the recently introduced Paid Parental Leave.

The Union also supports the current national equal pay test case for social and community service workers to redress pay discrepancies, which may lift the pay rates of up to 150,000 women workers.

 “The struggle for pay equity is an issue for everyone. If women working in service sectors can earn better wages as a result of this case, that will only benefit families and the Australian community and economy,” said Mr Noonan.

Watch the UNAustralia Women's video: "On her Shoulders" on the CFMEU's You Tube Channel Favourites.

• Photos from the International Women's Day march in Sydney on March 12.

• More photos, speeches, MUA video from the day on International Women's Day Collective website.
• Watch the MUA video on CFMEU's You Tube channel Favourites.

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