New organisers bolster union’s team Opportunity for everyone

Three new union organisers fresh from teaching and keen to help their colleagues started working at the IEU in the new year.

Peter Criticos has a long association with the IEU, serving as a Rep, on IEU Council and on the Executive. He came to the attention of the IEU’s leadership as a Rep, achieving a density of 107 per cent union membership at his school, getting even casual teachers signed up.

He wants to continue in that vein as an organiser, creating strength through numbers in as many schools and centres as he can. His philosophy has evolved from the traditional days of strong union membership in the 1980s and 1970s, when his grandfather worked at BHP in Newcastle.

“Granddad hurt his back, and the union fought for his rights to make sure he got his workers comp,” Peter said.