Our Vision: A SMARTER UNION+

We need to revise and improve the processes of our Union Branches to allow the rightly elected members to Branch positions are motivated, supported, and respected when running their local Union Branches responsibly, autonomously, and democratically. The Association must consider establishing better arrangements that could better support our Branches and their officials when conducting their local workplace union activism.   

We will establish a governance system that ensures transparency and democracy. Our leadership should come from the members and be accountable to them.

Under JP’s leadership, the Union must consider a long-term plan for funding and supporting our campaign peaks (e.g. industrial actions) and the resulting elements. This would offer a long-term financial immunity for our Union. 

JP Marx will donate a portion of his salary to this fund.

We need real participatory democracy and leadership. JP believes that strong leadership is the one that is close to its people. This includes the Association staff and our Union members. He wants to listen to everyone's opinion, be close, and ensure they are with him in the room when making big decisions. 

Members must be treated equally, whether they work or live in a metropolitan city or a small hospital in a country town in regional NSW. The same applies whether they are part of a small or big Branch. Every member of any designation and Branch must be equally valued. It is about respect, trust and strength. We are all in it together; there is no us and them

Our members must be offered the opportunity to access Industrial and political education and awareness sessions. This will help them better understand the Union's natural role on the political, societal, and industrial levels. An informed and aware membership makes them stronger and better at making decisions.

We need real participatory democracy and leadership. We will establish a governance system that ensures transparency and democracy. Our leadership should come from the members and be accountable to them. JP believes that a strong leadership is the one that is close to its people. This includes the Association staff and our Union members. He wants to listen to everyone's opinion, be close to them, and ensure they are with him in the room when making big decisions. It is about respect, trust and strength. We are all in it together; there is no us and them. 

John-Paul believes in diversity, inclusivity, and encouraging contemporary and modern forms of governance. He will ensure an advocative and collective approach to inform, consult, and involve members in the operation of our Union as a representative organisation. JP will set a culture of openness and feedback while facilitating the members' participation in the decisions where needed and wherever possible. This includes an open-door to the Elected Officers and open days where members can visit the Union and see us in action.

We want to put resources to support you better and quicker when you need our help. We will change our expensive corporate-like structures and spend that money on our membership services instead. 

JP believes our Union should be the voice of our members first and foremost. Maintaining the values of respect, openness, and collaboration creates a culture of collectivism. It removes any form of vertical corporate-like hierarchy. He believes in enhancing members' and staff equity, access, and innovation. We must create a culture of inclusivity where no one is excluded; all thoughts are welcome. 

The Association must explore the feasibility of establishing an RTO body for the Union that trains, teaches and graduates nursing and midwifery professionals who are aware, prepared, and ready to work in the real world of nursing and midwifery while motivated to fight for change. The RTO will offer Certificates and a Diploma in Nursing at an affordable cost to students. It will promote our Union academically and ascertain our brand as a professional trade union with excellent access and capabilities. We’ll have generations of pro-Union nurses who will play a vital role in the future of our Union and profession. 

It is time to think outside the box and remove the red tape and red lines from our way of thinking. We must do things differently if we want to win a decade-old campaign. We must stop being too worried about exaggerated risks and virtual fears. We are a Union of workers, of big dreamers. We need to be bold and brave; otherwise, why bother? 

Workplace violence, bullying and discrimination will not be tolerated in all circumstances. We will fight for our members' rights for safe workplaces, and we will take decisive action against any employer who fails to meet their obligations in that regard. 

We must protect the nurses and Midwives union from the erosion of its nursing and Midwifery positions. This has seen our Union having fewer nurses/midwives than it should. Our members like to talk to nurses and midwives like themselves, and we must be able to afford that whenever and wherever possible. If we can't protect nursing positions internally, how can we claim to be able to advocate them externally? We must continue the fight to preserve nursing/midwifery positions everywhere, including in NSW Health and other non-governmental healthcare organisations.

Our Union must reach more nurses and Midwives and allow the right resources and systems for that. JP Marx believes in grassroots organising that accesses professional nurses and midwives everywhere.

The election of officers and councillors must not be shadowed by fearmongering or exclusively available to a group of well-funded and/or chosen people. Democracy must be fully participatory and requires transparency. JP is committed to this essential cultural change. For example, councillors must be elected by Union Branch Delegates or the wider membership to ensure accountability.

It Doesn't Stop Here; The List Can Go Longer. Please tell John-Paul what you think your Union can do better at or focus more on. You can be part of the support group by sharing your thoughts and supporting our campaign by any means possible.