Webinar | Solidarity in the face of division: lessons from unions holding the line

Far-right movements are gaining ground across the world – shaping political discourse, influencing public opinion and impacting communities. In this webinar, leading unionists from the UK and Australia will share what’s working and what’s not when it comes to inoculating members against far-right narratives. Together, we’ll unpack practical insights on how to build working-class solidarity in the face of those seeking to divide us.

SPEAKERS

Heather Blakey (UK) (Regional Women's and Equalities Officer, North East Yorkshire and Humber, Unite the Union)

I am Unite’s Women’s and Equalities Officer in the North East, Yorkshire & Humber region of the UK. I support our women, Black and Asian, disabled, LGBT+ and young members to fight for their rights at work (and to be heard with the union movement). I also coordinate Unite NEYH’s Standing up for our Class programme. This is our response to the rise of the far right. It’s an on-the-ground organising approach to political education that starts from the knowledge that change comes through acting together, it isn’t handed out by demagogues. United we stand, divided we fall.

Wil Stracke (Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council)

Wil Stracke is the Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, the peak body for unions in Victoria, and a long-term campaigner for women’s and queer rights. She was previously an Associate Solicitor at Slater & Gordon before commencing as an organiser with the Australian Services Union where she worked with members on workplace and industry wide industrial campaigns. She was the Lead Organiser in Victoria for the ASU national ‘Equal Pay’ campaign that achieved wage justice for underpaid, predominantly women workers in the community services sector.

In 2017, Wil coordinated the Victorian field campaign for the ‘Yes’ campaign for marriage equality.
In her role at Trades Hall, Wil leads the ongoing work of the Victorian trade union movement in addressing the challenges faced by working women as well as the union movement’s work in occupational health and safety. Wil’s work was acknowledged with the 2018 John Cummins Award for Victorian Unionist of the Year and the Jennie George Award in 2024 for outstanding contribution by a woman to the Australian union movement.

Lara Watson (Indigenous Officer, Australian Council of Trade Unions)

Lara Watson (she/her) is a Birri Gubba woman from Central West Queensland and the Indigenous Officer at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). With over 20 years’ involvement in the trade union movement, Lara has worked across organising, campaigning and movement‑building, including leading major campaigns at state and national levels. Her current work focuses on advancing anti‑racism, combating extremism, supporting union engagement in Together for Treaty, strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices across the union movement, and winning industrial rights that break barriers and promote equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.

DATE AND TIME

The webinar will take place on Wednesday 22nd July, 6pm-7pm AEST via Zoom.

COST

This webinar is free to attend.

ACCESSIBILITY

The session will be run entirely online via Zoom. Please outline any access needs during registration and to enquire about how we can help you participate, please contact us at info@australianprogress.org.au.

Other Information

More on accessibility | Code of Conduct | Cancellation Policy