Electrical apprentice told she must remove her trade union shirt at Parliament House

A young electrical apprentice was told to remove her trade union shirt while she was standing in a foyer at Parliament House. 

Jasmyn Smith was stunned when a security guard approached her and demanded she remove the black t-shirt with a small white logo in one corner.

The 21-year-old woman from Launceston, Tasmania, was visiting Canberra for a National TAFE Day and was standing with about 20 other apprentices Wednesday morning. 

The young tradeswoman, who was attending the event to speak to politicians about issues they face, was wearing a shirt with the Electrical Trades Union of Australia (ETU) logo. 

Jasmyn Smith told Daily Mail Australia that the security guard asked her to remove her shirt which was branded with a trade union logo (pictured)

The 21-year-old woman from Launceston, Tasmania, was visiting Canberra for a National TAFE Day and was standing with about 20 other apprentices 

The 21-year-old woman from Launceston, Tasmania, was visiting Canberra for a National TAFE Day and was standing with about 20 other apprentices 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Smith said the security guard targeted her first before requesting the rest of the group to remove their logo-covered clothing. 

‘He walked directly to me and tapped my shoulder to get my attention,’ Ms Smith said.

‘After he asked me to remove my jumper and shirt, I questioned him about whether or not one of the other apprentices had to remove his jumper and badge that had ETU on it. He said “yes” but allowed us to take in our backpacks which had the ETU logo.’

Ms Smith was offered a jacket by one of the other apprentices to cover up the logo.

She told Daily Mail Australia that Bill Shorten had confirmed to one of the organised that she didn’t need to cover up. 

‘Straight after it happened, we walked into Bill Shorten’s office to inform him about what had happened,’ Ms Smith explained. 

‘I don’t think it was a confirmation of the rule of the Parliament, as I think that is still being investigated, but more of a confirmation of what is right and that I shouldn’t have to cover up a logo of the union that I am proud to be a part of.

‘I ended up removing the jacket.’ 

'Straight after it happened, we walked into Bill Shorten's office to inform him about what had happened,' Ms Smith explained

‘Straight after it happened, we walked into Bill Shorten’s office to inform him about what had happened,’ Ms Smith explained

The incident occurred at Parliament House (pictured) on Wednesday 

The incident occurred at Parliament House (pictured) on Wednesday 

Ms Smith said she is annoyed that she was asked to remove the shirt because she is a proud union member, and wants people in the trade industry to have the opportunity of reasonable income and working hours.     

‘CEPU Tasmania are fighting to give us in the Trade industry a reasonable income that doesn’t require working more than the standard 38-40 hour week. The cost of living is not getting any cheaper and a lot of qualified tradesmen and tradeswoman are having to spend time working away from their families or are working two jobs to be able to afford a roof over their heads. 

‘I’m a proud union member and if I want to wear a shirt that says I support the movement towards equal living, I should be allowed to.

‘As annoyed as I was, I’m glad it’s happened because now it can be looked over and hopefully doesn’t happen to anyone ever again.’

 

 

 

 

 



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