Melissa Ansell-Bridges

Ask Melissa Ansell-Bridges what personal qualities she brings to her high-powered role (Secretary is one of the most senior elected roles within the NZCTU) and she says, “I strive to be level-headed and calm under pressure.”

Dig a bit further and Melissa relates how she was brought up in a Buddhist family.

“Both my parents were practising Buddhists and they taught us to live mindfully and maintain a sense of equanimity. They also demonstrated the values of generosity and compassion every day. That definitely influenced my view on the world and how I have tried to live my life.”

Young women activists and politicians like Greta Thunberg, Chlöe Swarbrick & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “who are fearlessly fighting for the things they believe in”, are also important influences on Melissa’s approach to her work.

“It’s inspiring to see them achieve amazing things and be unafraid to take up space and speak up. That's been inspiring to me at times when I've felt too young or questioned my ‘right’ to occupy some spaces and positions.”

Melissa completed a BA/LLB (Hons) majoring in sociology and politics at the University of Auckland and graduated in 2015.

She realised part way through her Law degree that she didn't want to be a lawyer, but is grateful for the analytical skills law gave her. She says studying sociology and politics taught her to identify and question the way things are, “especially power structures and inequalities which can appear concrete but which can absolutely be changed if they’re no longer serving us”.

In 2014, the University began a policy project, which involved transferring its existing policies to a new content management system. Melissa got a job helping with this and was then appointed Policy and Compliance Officer.

“I managed the content on the Policy Hub and assisted the General Counsel in devising and implementing a legislative compliance regime for the University which gave me an excellent understanding of a wide range of New Zealand legislation and legislative process.”

In April 2016 she began working as the Industrial Officer/Organiser for Equity New Zealand, a Union representing approximately 1000 performers. By July 2018 she had become Equity’s Director and represented it on the Film Industry Working Group to develop a new framework for collective bargaining in the screen industry in New Zealand.

“I love working in the Union movement,” she says. “At its core, it’s about people coming together to improve their working lives and the world they live in – it’s a really inspiring environment to be in and an honour to support it.”

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is the peak body of the New Zealand Trade Union movement. Collectively, it represents approximately 300,000 working people from 29 unions. Melissa’s responsibilities as National Secretary include leading strategic campaigns, managing the operation of the office, staff and finances, liaising with Ministers and Government Departments on policy matters, and much more.

“There have been a lot of improvements for working people in New Zealand in the last few years,” she says “but there's still a lot we have to do. Securing Fair Pay Agreements, minimum statutory redundancy, improved protections for contractors and the passage of the Screen Industry Workers Bill are just some of the things we'll be working towards over the next few years.

“The work the union movement does benefits all working New Zealanders. I’d really encourage everyone to get involved with their union. Together we really can make work better.”