Charlotte Watson
Candidate for General Secretary, Charlotte Watson, has a proud history of a decade of union advocacy and campaigning in some of the largest and most influential unions in the South Australian public sector. She has also worked with the Attorney-General’s Department in the Industrial Relations and Policy Branch where she has gained industrial experience in high level analysis, negotiation and Tribunal advocacy. Charlotte has a Bachelor of Laws with Adelaide University that she completed due to passion for advocacy. She quickly developed an interest in the ‘social realities’ of employment and how workplace conditions may impact a person’s identity and self-esteem. Union work is where Charlotte’s passion lies and she is committed to changing the direction of the PSA.
Charlotte’s career started at the PSA over a decade and a half ago where she was responsible for a wide range of industrial matters and disputes. Charlotte successfully led the industrial campaign for School Services Officers receiving the ‘top tier’ payment that was provided in their enterprise agreement. She was also responsible for enterprise bargaining negotiations for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) which was the first enterprise agreement for AHPRA in the state.
Charlotte has also worked at the nurses’ union and doctors’ union, where she gained valuable insight into union strategy and power, across multiple networks and specialties. Amongst other things, Charlotte led successful industrial action to win a dedicated Resuscitation team at a large public hospital and a state-wide campaign to shine a light on Doctor’s mental health. Following a decade in the union movement, Charlotte worked at the Attorney-General’s Department for around five years and finally the South Australian Ambulance Service. She now has sixteen years’ experience as an industrial relations professional with a portfolio of both individual and site (or group) based matters. As a result, Charlotte has extensive experience with advocacy and litigation in the Tribunal, enterprise bargaining, dispute resolution and organising. She has a proven track record of working closely with members, quickly grasping key issues and seeing matters through to the end.
Charlotte will use her skills and experience to ensure that PSA members have strong union leadership that is present in the workplace. Matters will not be left up to the hard work of our Worksite Reps, members or PSA staff without adequate support or resources. Charlotte will ensure first-class training for our worksite representatives that is unique to each cohort and worksite.
Preparation and knowing your members are key. As PSA Change General Secretary, Charlotte will work hard with Celia Brougham (Assistant General Secretary) to ensure the union knows your issues and is on the front foot—with effective campaigns run to highlight key issues and inform the community—a strong and united union—with the resources to back those campaigns up with real outcomes. Charlotte is committed to having a dedicated team of PSA legal professionals to gain wins through dispute resolution, negotiation and where necessary the South Australian Employment Tribunal and Court.
Charlotte knows too well how far behind we have fallen due to poor wage outcomes and declining membership numbers. Turning both of these around is her number one commitment to you as General Secretary.
We cannot afford more of the same—that is why we are standing for Change. Vote for PSA Change in 2025 for better outcomes and a strong union.