Celebrating AWU Heroes: Autumn 2026

Jared’s fight to defend workers’ rights

Jared is AWU proud!

Adbri cement worker and AWU member Jared leads his site from the front, looking out for his workmates, negotiating the company EA, and holding the employer to account on WHS standards. Jared joined the Angaston cement plant in 2010 and became a delegate shortly after. The site was initially a closed shop, and to this day, density is virtually 100% among the operators.
After several rounds of bargaining, he says the major challenge at the table is holding on to what they’ve already won. “It seems like every agreement there’s a different manager trying to push their weight around. We’ve got some really good conditions on site, and we’ve fought hard to keep all of that.”

In their last EA negotiations, Jared and the bargaining team had to defend their unlimited sick leave from management attacks. “Management got a new IR lawyer to look at the policy, and they tried to take it away from us,” he says. “We kept our salary maintenance still have the sick leave coverage, but it was a hell of a fight.”

Being a delegate can be hard work, but Jared says it’s incredibly rewarding. “It’s so satisfying when you get the wins and you can protect someone who may not have been aware they did the wrong thing. There’s a few people working here now that wouldn’t be here without the help of the union.” The year ahead will be challenging at Adbri, but Jared says workers are always stronger together. “Everyone who possibly can be should be in a union,” he adds. “Stick together, you keep your conditions, and the rest of us do as well.”

Zinfra delegates leading the next generation

Liv and Joey are ready to fight for their workmates

Liv and Joey are Zinfra NSW’s two newest delegates, and they’re up for the challenge! Routine and Maintenance crew member Joey started in 2016 and put his hand up last year.  “I’m an outspoken person,” he says, “and if I see something wrong, I’ll stand up for what’s right.” Liv, a scheduler since 2023, says she was “thrust into the role” when her team wanted more involvement with EA negotiations. “I want to look out for us, make sure we’re not the last to know everything.”

Both have big ideas for how to improve things for themselves and their workmates. “I’ve always had these ideas, but they’ve fallen on deaf ears,” Joey says. “Now I can have those conversations with management. There’s power because I am a delegate, and they listen to what I have to say.” He wants to try and structure greater provisions for the R&M crew in the next EA.

For Liv, it’s about getting a fair go for her team. “My team only has two levels in our scale,” she explains. “Once you reach top level after 12 months, there’s no opportunity to go further. I’d love to broaden the classification structure and give us more opportunities to grow and improve.”

Both Joey and Liv says any AWU member keen to step up should put their hand up when they get a chance. “It’s one of the only way you can influence meaningful change for future generations,” Liv says. And Joey agrees. “If you want to be a delegate, 100% go for it. Protect yourself, protect your colleagues and make a difference.”