We’re United For NSW & ACT

Our candidates are workplace delegates, union activists, and everyday members who share one thing in common: a commitment to building a stronger union for you.

We can’t wait to introduce you to our full team of experienced union members from NSW and the ACT. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek!

United For You will be running candidates from across the union and state.

Meet Your Team

Jo Schofield

UWU National President | Sydney South East

I grew up in Green Valley, Western Sydney, where strong community values of fairness and solidarity shaped my life. Leaving school at 16, I have done loads of different jobs in offices, kitchens and clubs. Starting off as a Union delegate, like my mother and my aunt, I was driven by a passion for workers' rights, which led me to TAFE and onto University to finish a degree in Industrial Relations. I found my community when I got a job at the Misso's (now UWU) and I have had the great privilege to work alongside members from many industries and all walks of life. As a sole parent I took time out of the union movement when my girls were young, working part time, having to keep a constant eye on the bills and the mortgage from week to week. I understand the pressures that families, and especially women, face in juggling work and family and making ends meet.
I have organised, fought and campaigned with members to win better pay, respect and recognition of the essential work that UWU members do every day. I am proud of the many gains that UWU members have fought for and won.
The best way to build worker power and keep our union strong is to back the United For You team who are committed to delivering for you. There is so much more to do to build real worker power to lift all our members up and to keep our union strong and financially sustainable. United For You will deliver a union focused on you.

Paul Khoudair

Storeperson | Sydney South East

I work at Officeworks North Rocks and have been a UWU member and Delegate for 22 years. I have always been a people person who loves to chat and form great bonds with others. I first joined the union to be part of a group that actually had strength and power. The collective voice for the people is what really drove me. My experience is if you're not part of the union, then good luck because bosses will always walk all over you. Outside work, I am a diehard South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter since the 1969 Balmain vs Souths game.
I want our union to actually be United and deliver for all members. A moment that holds a special place in my heart was our first time going out on strike. It showed how powerful we really were. This election has so much potential to make meaningful change for all members. I want a stronger union that brings members to the forefront, not one run on division.
It means exactly what the name says. This ticket believes in having a union that is run for its members and advocates for them across all industries. It believes in the union's ability to change lives and will work every day to make sure that happens.

Mel Gatfield

UWU NSW State Secretary & Director Food & Beverage | Sydney South East

I have spent over three decades advocating for working people, driving change, and delivering real wins for workers across Australia. I started organising in 1990 as an Administration Officer at the Finance Sector Union and worked my way up through organiser and leadership roles.
During my time at UWU since 2006, I have advocated and campaigned for educators, home care workers, manufacturing workers, cleaners, casino and hotel workers.
In June 2025, our union won a historic victory when the NSW Government announced that school cleaners in the Hunter and Central Coast would be offered permanent public sector jobs for the first time in 30 years. We now are making sure the rest of the state get secure jobs too. This was years of relentless campaigning by our members, and showed the power of our mighty union when we use all of the tools available to us - like the winning of portability of LSL scheme for cleaners over 10 years ago.
We have made these real changes in members lives by having a clear focussed voice for the members in NSW. I ask for your support.

Karma Dema

School Cleaner | Southern New South Wales

I have been a UWU member for 8 years and work in ACT School Cleaning Services. I serve as a Delegate. I first joined the union to ensure my workplace rights were protected and to have access to support and representation if issues arose. Being a union member gives me confidence that my rights are upheld and that I am not facing workplace issues alone. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with family and being involved in my local community. I am interested in social justice and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities.
I want to represent members' voices and contribute to decisions that affect our working conditions and rights. I believe it is important that members from the frontline are involved in shaping those decisions. I want to advocate for fair conditions, manageable workloads, and strong support for members. United For You reflects the values I believe in: strong representation, fairness at work, and putting members' voices at the centre of decision-making.

Lyndal Ryan

UWU Vice President & Director of Property Services & Regional | Southern New South Wales

I have been a UWU member for over 35 years. I joined the union on the advice of a teacher I admired when I studied ECEC in Armidale. Soon after I started work, something awful happened to a co-worker. Ingrid was stood down without warning because our employer was using casual contracts to ensure none of us could ever claim the rights to become permanent employees. Everyone in the centre was so angry, so we decided to organise a strike. Ingrid was rehired immediately and all of us on casual contracts were offered permanent jobs. Through our union I came to understand all the issues which have led to the undervaluation of women's work. I remain in the fight for women's rights. Outside work, I like to cook, garden, read books and walk in the bush. For many years I danced flamenco (badly), but lately I just dance around the house. I love my family.
I have been privileged to hold very senior roles in the union for many years, working with several national secretaries and serving on both local and national governance bodies. I am standing because I am committed to high standards of governance and ethical behaviour. Members honour the leadership of this union with their trust, and I feel a responsibility for ensuring that trust is honoured. We have made real gains in job security that we can build on. A well governed union will free up resources that can be used to better hold dodgy bosses to account. Wage theft and modern slavery as a business model must be eradicated. I am tenacious. There is a real chance to steer our union back on course. Everyone on the United For You ticket is standing in solidarity with each other and for our members. If this ticket is successful, we will have the strong, ethical and united national leadership team that our members deserve.

Chris Wagland

Cleaner | Southern New South Wales

I have been a UWU member for 41 years and work as a full-time cleaner at Madura Park. I serve as a Delegate. I joined the union on my very first night at work. I was told it was a union site and everyone was a member, and I was happy to join. Union is family. Union is knowing that there is someone who cares and when there are problems at work that there is someone who can help. I have lived in Queanbeyan since 1987 where my husband and I raised our three sons. I now have four grandchildren and enjoy gardening, reading and having everyone over on Sunday night for tea.
I am running to give back. I want to achieve recognition for members that what they do is important and needs to be respected and valued. I want members to know that I am interested in them and that I will listen and care. I've spent years fighting for our members, and i've seen the countless hours the United For You has put into winning for our members. We are a family and we stand together.