Abstract
Even in unions where momen make up a majority of the membership, it has been comparatively rare for them to secure appropriate representation in leadership positions. The Victorian Colleges Staff Association, a union representing non-academic staff in Victorian colleges of advanced education and technical and further education colleges, provides an exception to this rule. As a young union (formed in 1979), it had none of the historical sexist baggage of older unions and was able to embrace female leadership and a range of women's issues with no difficulty. This development was enhanced by the equal opportunity environment and the onset of repetitive strain health risks for (overwhelmingly female) keyboard staff. Women joined the Association in greater proportions than did men and, contrary to widespread assumptions, were less likely to hold conservative views, when tested in a survey, than were their male counterparts, thus confirming revisionist interpretations concerning female con servatism in Australian society.
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