I want to begin by saying that you have the full power, support, and might of Unite the Union behind you as you continue your campaign. You are not alone in this fight.
For the past year, I have had the privilege of being assigned as your officer for the domestic worker membership. I am fully committed to working alongside you—not just until you win this campaign, but beyond that as well. And let me be clear: you will win.
With the strength and determination in this room, there is no doubt in my mind—you will win.
Today, we are taking an important step forward. We are forming the Unite Domestic Workers Branch. This means you will come together as a group, managing your own resources—the resources from Unite. You will be making your own decisions, shaping your own policies, and meeting when you choose, with your leaders at the forefront. And those leaders? They will tell me what to do. And that’s exactly how it should be.
So tell me what you need. Tell me what needs to be done.
I hope many of you have received the necessary papers. Unite is a democratic organization with 1.5 million members, and every single person must have a voice. That voice moves from the workplace, to the branch, to the region, and then to the national level.
And this—right here—is a workplace.
You are the branch that will speak for your sector, for domestic workers. And in line with our union’s rulebook, we need to elect key leadership positions to guide this branch forward.
These positions are:
· A Branch Secretary performs the main administrative functions of the branch and is the main contact for members and Unite officials.
· A Treasurer - to manage contributions and finances
· An Equalities Officer - to ensure our branch remains open and inclusive to all
· And a Chair, who will lead meetings—just as I am doing now.
So today, we are going to elect these four key roles.
I have worked closely with all of you and your leaders to gather nominations for each of these positions. Now, I would like to invite the nominated individuals to come forward and speak to you. Each nominee will also need to be seconded, and I will explain that process as we go along.
Once we have heard from them, we will vote. This vote is not just a formality—it is a show of support. The individuals stepping into these roles will need that support to carry out their important work.
Together, as a united force, we will build this branch. Together, we will make our voices heard. And together, we will win.
A Message from the Officers
Georgina Velasco, Branch Chair - ‘’It has been my privilege to serve my fellow domestic workers since the inception of Justice for Domestic Workers in 2009, now known as The Voice of Domestic Workers. Throughout this journey, I have witnessed our community's resilience and strength as we faced sadness and joy, defeat and victory. Together, we have overcome obstacles and fought for our rights and dignity. Today, I stand before you for the Chairperson position of this historic Unite-Domestic Workers Branch. With nearly 16 years of experience as a Unite the Union Representative and VODW's leader of the Trade Union Working Group, I am committed to continuing our collective mission. As we move forward, I will work tirelessly to secure fair wages, decent working conditions, and respect for all domestic workers across the nation through this Unite the Union domestic workers branch. It would be an honour to serve and work alongside each one of you.’’ Georgina Velasco, Chair of Unite-Domestic Workers Branch.
My name is Mimi Jalmasco, and I am honored to introduce myself as a trustee of The Voice of Domestic Workers and a nominee for the position of Secretary of the Domestic Workers Branch in Unite the Union. As a domestic worker with lived experience, I have dedicated my time and energy to advocating for the rights and welfare of my fellow workers. I am aspiring to be the Secretary of the Branch because I believe in the power of unity and
organized action. Our voices must be heard, and our rights must be protected. This position is more than just a title—it is an opportunity to strengthen our movement, amplify our demands, and build a more inclusive and just environment for domestic workers. With my commitment, organizational skills, and passion for advocacy I will ensure that our branch remains well-coordinated, that every member is informed and engaged, and that our
campaigns for better working conditions, fair wages, and legal protections gain momentum. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and work alongside all of you in building a stronger, more empowered domestic worker branch. I also want to acknowledge all of you for all the
hard work and dedication to build this branch.
This is only the beginning, and I am excited to embark on this journey with all of you. Thank you, and solidarity always!
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