Your Assistant Secretary (Professional Staff)
What I stand for
I stand for an NTEU that draws strength from unity, not division.
My focus is on the issues that unite us: better conditions, fair pay, and increased workplace power for all.
A vote for me is a vote for promoting the interests of all members across all branches.
My achievements
Outstanding membership growth in Victoria – highest membership growth in the country.
Bargaining wins – secured new Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) at seven universities, enhancing working conditions across the sector.
Empowered collective action – won pay increases between 3.43% and 4.25%.
Advocating for mental health – fighting against reduced WorkCover compensation entitlements, and improved mental health protections at work.
Enhancing women’s rights: – reviving participation in NTEU Women’s Action Committee, joining the campaign to ban non-disclosure agreements.
My vision for recognition, wellbeing and respect
• Respect for professional & PACCT staff
• Protecting mental health at work
• Elevating the voices of ‘third space’ staff
• Empowering women in NTEU
Your vote is important
I'm asking for your vote so I can continue to fight for better mental health at work, women's rights, and the respect that professional staff deserve.
Why you should vote 1 Ruth Jelley in the 2024 NTEU election: for unity, better conditions, fair pay and more power in the workplace.
If I'm re-elected as NTEU Victorian Assistant Secretary (Professional Staff), I will continue to fight for fairer workers' compensation and protection against mental injuries at work.
I believe in making our union truly inclusive, by focusing on what unites us.
We need more women elected to key positions in NTEU. Women make up the majority of our membership but are outnumbered in leadership positions by 3:1.
Endorsements
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“Ruth’s leadership during our successful 2023 Statewide Strike and our bargaining campaign showed her commitment to fighting job cuts, wage stagnation, and heavy workloads”
Sarah Roberts
Victorian Division Secretary -
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“Ruth harnesses her experience and skills working across the sector to promote respect and decent working conditions for professional staff”
Joo-Cheong Tham
Victorian Assistant Secretary (Academic Staff) -
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“Nobody is more dedicated to championing the rights of professional staff”
Adam Fernandes
Victorian Division President (Professional Staff) -
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“Ruth works tirelessly to listen to staff on the ground, to build strong relationships and to fight for the issues that matter most to our members”
Verity Archer
Fed Uni VP (Academic Staff), Victorian WAC representative -
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“Ruth consults widely and listens to workers across the state, and works constructively with the leadership team to progress change”
Heather Benbow
National Executive Ordinary Member, Melbourne Uni Branch -
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“A strong appreciation for the diversity of our NTEU membership”
Sam Green
National VP (Professional Staff) -
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“Ruth embodies the core values of integrity, collectivism, and solidarity”
Julie O’Brien
RMIT Branch member (Professional Staff) -
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“Proven track record of building union power and organising to strengthen our industrial capacity”
Caleb Hayhoe-Castle
RMIT Branch Committee Member (Professional Staff) -
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“We need strong, collaborative women leaders like Ruth representing and advocating for professional staff in the NTEU”
Lachlan Clohesy
ACT Division Secretary -
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“Passionate and fierce in her determination to raise women’s voices in the union”
Andrea Lamont-Mills
USQ Branch President & National Executive Ordinary Member -
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“A tireless advocate for the cause of gender equity in the higher education sector”
Andrew Bonnell
National VP (Academic Staff) -
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“Dedicated to enhancing the rights and conditions of all workers in the tertiary education sector”
Nikki Balnave
NSW Division President & National Executive Ordinary Member -
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“Brings a wealth of experience and knowledge”
Rajeev Sharma
NT Division Secretary -
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“A steadfast voice for the smaller and regional universities and TAFEs”
Cathy Moore
WA Division Secretary -
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“Proactive in developing members’ understanding of the challenges faced by ‘third space’ staff, and the ambiguous boundary between professional and academic activities”
Jo Faulkner
Maquarie Uni Branch VP (Academic Staff) & National Executive Ordinary Member -
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“Ruth’s lived experience across a diverse range of roles means she has a deep understanding of professional staff issues across the sector”
Meredith Hinze
eLearning/eTeaching Manager, Melbourne Uni branch -
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“Ruth is not just a leader behind the scenes – Ruth stands with us on the picket lines and at our rallies, showing true solidarity in our fight for fair pay, security, and respect at work”
Michelle Giovas
Monash VP (Professional Staff), Victorian WAC representative -
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"We need leaders like Ruth who can stand up for smaller and regional unis, where conditions are worst"
Ben Eltham
Monash Branch President -
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"Ruth is a dedicated unionist who always stands up for what’s right”
Zoe Shew
Swinburne Branch Committee
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“Ruth comes from deep experience at the ‘coalface’ as a university employee in Victoria”
Bronwyn Smith
Swinburne Branch Vice-President (Professional Staff)
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“Ruth is considered and well balanced in her approach, to ensure NTEU efforts are best placed to enhance inclusivity and equity of our diverse membership”
Leilani Fatupaito
Swinburne Branch Committee & National Councillor
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"Ruth has been a strong, ethical, and powerful voice for professional staff"
Andrew Miller
SA Division Secretary
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"In Ruth's vision for our union, inclusivity isn't just a slogan – it's a core principle"
Cathy McCormick
Monash Branch, former National VP (Professional Staff)
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"Driven to seek greater equity and fairness for all members"
Sue Sharpe
ANU Branch, Third Space Working Group
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"I have always found Ruth to be a committed trade unionist who puts the needs of the collective above her own"
Nick Warner
SA Division Vice-Presidnt (Academic Staff) & Uni Adelaide Branch Secretry
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"Ruth’s leadership within the NTEU Third Space Working Group is resulting in a raising of awareness and has the potential to lead to real change for workers"
Katie Ley
ACT Division President, University of Canberra Branch Secretary
