Sovanna Soy
Project
Contact
your
Union to
get
involved
for 2009
-
applications
close
sson
21
September
- 2
October
2009
Aims:
-
To
provide
young
union
members
with
the
opportunity
to
develop
the
relevant
knowledge,
confidence
and
skills
to
become
more
active
in
their
workplace
and
in
their
union.
-
To
provide
young
union
members
with
the
opportunity
to
contribute
to
building
membership
in
their
union
and
the
broader
union
movement.
-
To
provide
unions
with
the
opportunity
to
learn
more
about
the
issues
facing
young
workers
and
develop
strategies
to
activate
and
organise
young
workers.
Project
Brief:
-
During
the
two
week
internship
the
participants
will
work
on a
specific
project
that
meets
the
aims
of
the
project.
-
The
participant
will
learn
about
the
union
movement,
its
history
and
current
challenges.
-
The
participant
will
undergo
work
experience
in a
union
office/offices
in
order
to
see
close
hand
the
work
of
the
union
movement.
-
The
project
participant
will
work
under
the
direction,
guidance
and
support
of a
mentor
within
the
union
office.
Who can
Participate:
Young
activists
under
the age
of 30 -
this is
flexible
if union
membership
requires
significant
training
before
entering
the
workforce,
although
we
prefer
to keep
the
group
under
30.
Comments
from
Past
Participants:
-
"We
gained
insight
about
the
way
a
union
operates.
We
gained
more
skills
to
help
us
achieve
better
outcomes
at
our
workplace".
Learkyna
and
Nicole
-
"The
union
cross
over
days
were
a
really
good
idea.
I
got
to
see
a
blue
collar
union
which
was
fascinating
when
compared
with
the
white
collar
union
I
was
with."
John
-
"The
experience
made
me a
better
delegate
and
able
to
go
back
to
my
workplace
and
handle
so
much
more."
Mel
Who is Sovanna Soy?
The
project
is named
after
Sovanna
Soy an
active
young
delegate
from the
National
Union of
Workers
at
Ingham's
Chickens,
who
tragically
died in
2003.
Sovanna was a delegate for the National Union of Workers at Ingham Chickens at Bolivar. She was instrumental in organising workers at this worksite, particularly the large number of Cambodian and Vietnamese workers which led to a successful strike and agreement. She was a foundation member of the Youth Network established by SA UNIONS in 2002 and together with fellow delegate Cliff Clayson came up with the name for our Youth Network, U-Who? She was a participant in the 2003 Union Summer Project.
As a refugee from Cambodia to Australia she had many struggles and challenges. She was a determined person with a strong sense of justice and was always willing to stand up for others and for what was right as well as having enormous energy and a great sense of fun.
These qualities meant she formed strong bonds with other participants of the 2003 Union Summer Program, so it was a terrible shock that she tragically took her own life during the program at the age of 22, leaving behind her 5 year old son Kalvin.
The other participants wanted her to be remembered in a positive and on-going way and in a way that continues her commitment to young people and unions. They decided to name the program after her and ensure it happened each year.
If you would like more information about the Sovanna Soy Union Summer Program contact SA Unions -
saunions@saunions.org.au
