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THE stereotypical image of a wharfie is undergoing a radical transformation as a culture shift sweeps through the industry and more women are employed on the docks at Port Botany.
Women from all works of life including a former accountant, engineer, dental hygiene nurse, chef, teacher and scientist have taken up stevedore jobs after a large intake of 120 male and female workers at Hutchison Ports Australia.
Attractive pay, flexible hours, equal opportunities and great camaraderie are some of the reasons why women are turning their backs on traditional careers to pursue jobs on the wharf.
Since calling for female employees in the Southern Courier as part of an MUA recruitment campaign in Sydney and Brisbane, Hutchison Ports Australia has hired 30 new women wharfies at Port Botany with 26 being hired in the last year.
MUA women’s liaison officer Mich-Elle Myers said hard work by both union branches working with Hutchison management had boosted the number of women in the ranks ‒ with female wharfies at Fishermen Island in Brisbane soaring from two to 23 ‒ which was a “great outcome”.
“Many jobs undertaken predominantly by women are underpaid and undervalued but the waterfront is one workplace where women and men receive equal pay,” she said.
“Now, more than ever, unions play a vital role in securing decent work conditions for women and families, including parental leave, domestic violence leave and flexible work arrangements.
“It’s a workplace where women can work and it’s important that we make sure we create a diverse workplace and change the culture by getting more women into this industry.
“Not many women think of working on the wharves but the work can be flexible around childcare.
“There is no reason why we should not get women into that.”
Sara Laing, who started as a stevedore in October, said she trained as a primary school teacher but a lack of employment options saw her ditch her chosen career to take up a job at Hutchison.
“I graduated from teaching but there was a lot of competition in teaching and it was hard to get a full time job,” she said.
“Then this job came up and I thought it was a great opportunity.
“I leave work at work and go home and enjoy time with my family. Other friends I know are doing long hours, in high stress jobs with less reward.”
Erima Dall said she had a friend who worked for Maritime Union Australia who encouraged her to apply for a job at Port Botany and she enjoyed the camaraderie with other workers and ongoing training.
“I think it’s an excellent job for women, I really enjoy it there,” she said.
“I think the new guys can get a bit of a shock to see so many women on the job but overwhelmingly everyone is very supportive and great to work with.
“It would be great to see more women stick their hand up for the job and not be scared to do something different.”
Jess Hyman said the MUA helped to recruit extra stevedores after Hutchison secured a new shipping contract.
“As a result of that, there was a push to increase the diversity including more women and more indigenous people in the workplace,” she said.
Ms Myers said the traditional blokey culture at Port Botany had evolved since she started as a stevedore back in 1999 with two other women, who were among the first females to set foot on the wharves at Patrick Port Logistics.
Describing day one as “different” she worked as a wharfie for 10 years before taking up a position with the MUA.
“Sue Virago was the first woman at DP World in 1995,” Ms Myers said.
“When I started at Patricks, I was one of the first three (women) who started on the same day.
“Many men there had never worked with women at all. I did not really know what to expect.
“I think it’s a much more inclusive workplace than when I started.
“Now (male wharfies) expect women to be working with them. There is no issue.”
At DP World, there has also been a shake-up of traditional gender roles with almost 40 per cent more women appointed at Port Botany during 2015/16.
In a report, chief executive Paul Scurrah said 54 per cent of new management roles were filled by women while progress had been made on closing the gender pay gap.
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