These include:
- Achieving the principle of equal pay for equal work
- Parental leave for women
- Maternity allowance negotiated with the government
- Campaigning for improvements to child care
- Universal superannuation
- Anti-discrimination and affirmative action
legislation
The union movement itself
has recognised the need for unions to reflect their membership. In May 2000,
ACTU elected Sharan Burrow as president, who is the second woman to now hold
this position. The ACTU had an affirmative action policy for many years. Now,
half the ACTU Executive members are women.
While women's presence in unions is increasing, they
remain under represented in the executive levels of the majority of unions,
compared to their share of membership.