Thousands of organisations around the country could probably boast about a highly unionised workplace, but few could match the effort at Western Water in the Macedon Ranges area.

The company, which supplies water and sewage services to more than 52,000 properties in an area of 3,000 square kilometres, has maintained a whopping 98 per cent ASU membership rate among its field operations workers.

One of the main people behind this successful figure is delegate Dean Barnett, in conjunction with support from active delegates and members. An employee of Western Water for 17 years, and 13 as a delegate, Dean is ready to hand over the baton to a new delegate, but will leave the role pleased with the results.

“I think the key to our high numbers is that we have good union members here who have been great at recruiting new members. A new guy would start at the depot, and the guys out there will say that we are union members and encourage them to join. We have built up a 98 per cent union membership in the field, and around 60 per cent union people in the office. During EBAs, people certainly see how involved the union is, and I think people jump on board when they see how they have helped over the years,” added Dean, who gave us an insight into some of his secrets when it comes to recruiting new members.

“Providing a new employee with information about the union and making them aware of the success we have had thanks to being part of a union has been the key to our great numbers. I am also very keen to point them in the right direction when it comes to some of the tools the union does offer. But probably the most important part is to not be too pushy. If you go too hard I find some people take a step back. I’ve found that if you give them all the information they need and let them know that it is their choice, you find most jump on board.”

Dean believes the ASU has and will continue to watch over all workers at Western Water in regards to maintaining a high level of pay and conditions.

“I’ve seen the union single-handedly protect certain entitlements that employees at Western Water cherish in the workplace. Organiser Richard Lodders has been a major part of some of our disputes, and the union have certainly supported all staff in the time I have been here. I see the union acting like an insurance policy for staff. You insure your house and you insure your car, so it makes sense to insure your terms and conditions at a workplace. Some of those conditions have been challenged from time to time by management, but whenever we have flown the flag, we always get a positive response from the ASU,” said Dean, who believes the union has also helped with the comradeship at the organisation.

“In the union meetings we now hold, the office employees take much more of an interest in what the outdoor workers may be going through and vice versa, creating a real sense of togetherness and loyalty, which is mainly thanks to being part of one union.”