Mel Ireland has left the building

PIAA Queensland member services manager Mel Ireland has packed her bags, confirming to Australia Printer the PIAA has followed through with its plan to give her the sack despite retaliation from the Printing Industries Member Action Group over the decision. She was the lightening rod for dissent among dissatisfied PIAA members, who saw the termination of her contract as the final straw in multiple questionable PIAA decisions, including numerous staff dismissals, the sale of the national headquarters, and the dismal launch of the much-touted three year strategic plan.

Sacked: PIAA Queensland's Mel Ireland

Sacked: PIAA Queensland’s Mel Ireland

Notice of her dismissal, along with that of her colleague, Rebecca Sutherland, led Queensland members to demand her reinstatement, and when that was refused led to those members forming the Printing Industries Members Action Group, which is now trying to wrest control of the association from the Board, with a key vote due at the SGM on Feb 23. The SGM has in fact been called for by the existing Board in a tactical manoeuvre aimed at giving it control of the agenda. Ireland confirmed Tuesday was her last day serving the association, and the PIAA had not offered to extend her contract. The reason for her sacking has remained shrouded in mystery, although it is widely believed the PIAA made the decision because Ireland had not achieved sales targets. Ireland was considered a popular staffer amongst PIAA members, with some even referring to her as the best member services officer the association has had. She was also the driving force behind the Printing Industries’ Early Stage Apprenticeship Awards which debuted last year.

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