I’m producing a documentary that highlights key events in Australia’s union movement that have impacted on women and how they participate in work. It culminates to question the future of the union movement in the context of global trends and the proposed local Industrial Relations changes. It aims to stimulate debate about how unions can maintain their relevance in a work culture that is rapidly evolving and increasingly fragmented.
The documentary will identify key turning points in Australia’s labour movement that have impacted on women and how they participate in work. For example women’s suffrage, WWII, eight hour day, and Equal Work for Equal Pay and the rise of and subsequent backlashes against feminism. The Australian Trade Union Archives is a good tool for researching labour history and many of the records are maintained at The University of Melbourne library.
The labour movement both locally and internationally face many similar challenges. The documentary will explore international parallels, comparing the changes the Howard government is making to other countries and highlighting challenges of a globalised economy.
The Take (directed by Avi Lewis) is a film that resonates with similar themes to my own. The documentary follows the organised labour movement of workers reclaiming their factories that were abandoned by their companies during Argentina’s economic collapse. It’s a heartening example how people when united, can overcome the consequences of corporate driven globalisation.
Another interesting film that has been a useful reference is The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter (directed by Connie Fields), which tells the story of women workers in the US during WWII. ‘Thanks girls and goodbye’ (directed Margaret Roberts) is a documentary with a similar thread but is about Australian women.
I plan to interview five women, who work in different industries, and who are from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. I’m interested in featuring women from the manufacturing, healthcare, education, construction and service industries. I want to avoid stereotyping people who work in particular industries and will consciously look for women who can share their individual qualities, which distinguish them from people’s pre-conceived impressions. I’m looking to select women who can share experiences from working in industry as well as reflect on the broader culture of work including the future direction of the union movement.
Where possible the women will be filmed in their work setting. Material that is visually and aurally interesting will be used to highlight the industry in which the women work. The story arc will stem from the women’s stories as well as historical references and the current Industrial Relations debate. Each industry that is profiled through the women’s stories will be accompanied by material that places it the broader cultural framework. For example, a woman working in a textile-manufacturing factory may be contrasted with a busy shopping centre where people are purchasing the latest fashions.
The women’s stories will be supported and contrasted by the points of view of key public figures representing governments or unions. Current and archival footage of interviews, public speeches, televised campaigns, photographs, newspaper headlines and radio records will help construct the debate and provide the context for the women’s stories. The aim of the documentary is to be an education tool that stimulates debate and active engagement with the key issues as opposed to presenting conclusive opinions.
