Campaign

Working people would be $4,700 worse off if Dutton was PM

Date Published: 28/08/2024
Category: Campaign Election Politics and Big Business Wages

If annual wage growth had continued at the same low rate as under the last Coalition government, the average Australian worker’s wages or salary would be $4,700 less today.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/28/working-people-would-be-4700-worse-off-if-dutton-was-pm/

New work rights from today

Date Published: 26/08/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work

Happy 26 August! Today, new work rights come into force across Australia. Here’s what they are, why they are so important and how to make the most of them.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/26/new-work-rights-from-today/

New work rights: what’s changing on 26 August

Date Published: 20/08/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work

In the last two years, the union movement has won the biggest changes to workers’ rights in this country in generations. Here’s what changes are coming into effect on 26 August 2024.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/20/new-work-rights-whats-changing-on-26-august/

Using new laws to win better pay and conditions for working people

Date Published: 14/08/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work Wages

Union members are using new union-won laws to secure better pay and conditions for thousands of workers across workplaces and industries.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/14/using-new-laws-to-win-better-pay-and-conditions-for-working-people/

Breaking the silence: union members campaign for paid reproductive leave

Date Published: 05/08/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Women

Australian women are retiring years before they planned to due to a lack of workplace support to address the symptoms of menopause and other reproductive health conditions.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/05/union-members-campaign-paid-reproductive-leave/

New union-won rights at work: what you need to know

Date Published: 30/07/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work

In the last two years, the union movement has won the biggest changes to workers’ rights in this country in generations. These changes deliver new and improved rights that empower millions of workers. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/30/new-union-won-rights-at-work-what-you-need-to-know/

Dutton is coming for your workplace protections

Date Published: 11/07/2024
Category: Campaign Election Politics and Big Business Rights at Work

Peter Dutton has already committed to turning secure jobs into casual jobs, repealing the right to disconnect and standing against minimum standards for gig workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/11/dutton-is-coming-for-your-workplace-protections/

Paid Parental Leave now at 22 weeks

Date Published: 08/07/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Women

From 1 July 2024, the amount of Paid Parental Leave new parents can access increased from 20 to 22 weeks.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/08/paid-parental-leave-now-at-22-weeks/

Union members win change this financial year

Date Published: 04/07/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages Working Life

Today’s the start of a new financial year, and a number of changes that benefit workers – and workers’ wallets – have come into effect.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/04/union-members-win-change-this-financial-year/

Six wins for workers to celebrate on 1 July

Date Published: 20/06/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages Working Life

In just over one week, millions of workers across Australia will start to see a boost to their pay packets and increased safety in their workplaces.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/06/20/six-wins-for-workers-to-celebrate-on-1-july/

Feminised industries need systemic change and targeted pay rises

Date Published: 02/05/2024
Category: Campaign Wages Women

This year union members are calling for workers in key low-paid feminised industries to receive an interim pay rise of 9%.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/05/02/feminised-industries-need-systemic-change-and-targeted-pay-rises/

Union members are calling for a 5% increase to the minimum wage

Date Published: 28/03/2024
Category: Campaign Wages

This week, union members announced that we are calling for a 5% increase to help with the cost-of-living and make sure we’re getting our share of the profits we create.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/03/28/union-members-are-calling-for-a-5-increase-to-the-minimum-wage/

Here’s how your wages could be going up

Date Published: 22/03/2024
Category: Campaign Wages

A new report by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work confirms that increasing the minimum wage is the right thing to do in this cost-of-living crisis, and there is no risk of an increase triggering inflation.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/03/22/heres-how-your-wages-could-be-going-up/

Gender pay gap the lowest on record

Date Published: 28/02/2024
Category: Campaign Wages Women

Did you see the gender pay gap figures that were announced yesterday? It happened because unions fought – and won – to bring in new laws that force companies to publicly disclose the difference between male and female workers’ earnings. The numbers tell us that we’ve come a long way, particularly in the last few…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/28/gender-pay-gap-the-lowest-on-record/

Migrant workers take a stand against gendered workplace violence

Date Published: 21/02/2024
Category: Campaign Social Justice

Twelve migrant women workers are suing their employer, Perfection Fresh, for failing to provide a safe working environment and enabling sexual harassment.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/21/migrant-workers-take-a-stand-against-gendered-workplace-violence/

A genuine pathway for casual workers to become permanent

Date Published: 13/02/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security

There are thousands of casual workers who work regular, ongoing hours – often for years – but are are stuck in insecure work. These are some of their stories.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/13/bringing-together-the-stories-of-casual-workers/

Closing gig economy and casual loopholes in 2024

Date Published: 12/02/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work

The first part of the Closing Loopholes Bill was a monumental achievement that won vital changes for working people. Part two is just as important.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/12/closing-gig-economy-and-casual-loopholes-in-2024/

Workers win the right to disconnect

Date Published: 09/02/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

Thanks to new right to disconnect laws to come into effect later this year, all workers will have the right to say no to unreasonable demands to stay digitally connected to their employer and work outside regular work hours. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/09/workers-win-the-right-to-disconnect/

Casualties of a broken system

Date Published: 22/01/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Work Health and Safety

Less than 5% of casual workers who want permanent jobs can secure one. The second part of the Closing Loopholes Bill includes much-needed changes that will re-balance the relationship between casual workers and employers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/01/22/casualties-of-a-broken-system/

New laws passed – winning fundamental rights for working people  

Date Published: 20/12/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Politics and Big Business Rights at Work Wages

Part one of the Closing Loopholes Bill has passed the Senate, delivering a much-needed win for Australian workers heading into the holiday season.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/12/20/new-laws-passed/

Putting an end to labour hire exploitation in the mining sector

Date Published: 21/11/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

Mining industry profits are so huge that these companies could easily afford to give every worker in Australia a cost-of-living pay rise of 6%, and still hold onto their crown as Australia’s most profitable industry.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/11/21/putting-an-end-to-labour-hire-exploitation-in-the-mining-sector/

Closing the loopholes to empower workplace delegates

Date Published: 17/11/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

Delegates are the elected representatives of workers in a workplace, serving as a voice for workers when issues arise, and opening lines of communication between workers and employers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/11/17/closing-the-loopholes-to-empower-workplace-delegates/

Udderly Outraged: Workers Demand Better Conditions in Dairy Strike!

Date Published: 20/10/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Working Life

This week, 1400 striking workers in the Victorian dairy industry have set a powerful example of what workers can achieve when they stand together and take action.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/10/20/dairy-industry-workers-unite-to-win-change-through-inspiring-union-action/

Let’s get wages moving again – close the loopholes

Date Published: 17/10/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Wages

The Closing Loopholes bill was introduced by the Albanese Government in the face of massive price gouging and profiteering by big business that caused a massive inflation spike. The new laws will increase job security, help stop wage theft, make workplaces safer, and help get wages moving again.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/10/17/lets-get-wages-moving-again-close-the-loopholes/

It’s time to listen by saying “Yes”

Date Published: 26/09/2023
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

On Saturday 14 October, Australia will have the opportunity to vote in a once-in-a-generation referendum. The question is a simple one and proposes a modest change to our constitution – to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the practical form of a Voice to Parliament.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/09/26/its-time-to-listen-by-saying-yes/

Qantas high court ruling in favour of workers

Date Published: 18/09/2023
Category: Campaign Politics and Big Business Rights at Work Social Justice

In a historic victory for unionists and workers, the Federal Court’s ruling was upheld: Qantas are responsible for the largest case of illegal sackings in Australia’s history, and it’s time for them to take responsibility.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/09/18/qantas-high-court-ruling-in-favour-of-workers/

Let’s get it done: close the loopholes to improve pay and conditions for workers

Date Published: 05/09/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work Wages Work Health and Safety

New laws, designed to make workplaces fairer and safer for workers, have been introduced by the Albanese Government in Parliament this week. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/09/05/lets-get-it-done-close-the-loopholes-to-improve-pay-and-conditions-for-workers/

You’re set to get more pay in July. Here’s how to check.

Date Published: 30/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Whether your pay is getting a bump up and by how much depends on a few different factors. Here are three steps to help you figure out how much to expect in your next pay cycle.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/30/youre-set-to-get-more-pay-in-july-heres-how-to-check/

How can staff be paid more than their managers?

Date Published: 06/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

“When you get on an aircraft, every crew member could be on a completely different pay scale.”

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/06/how-can-staff-be-paid-more-than-their-managers/

Today, workers in Australia have brand new rights

Date Published: 06/06/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

Today is an important day for workers’ rights. It’s the day that major parts of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay laws come into effect. These laws were passed by the Albanese Labor Government at the end of last year after tireless campaigning by workers in unions. The new laws today will help unions negotiate higher…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/06/today-workers-in-australia-have-brand-new-rights/

Find out if you just received the nationwide pay rise

Date Published: 02/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Good news! Around one in four workers in Australia have just won a pay rise. Find out if you’re one of them.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/02/find-out-if-you-just-received-the-nationwide-pay-rise/

We’ve won a pay rise for millions of workers today

Date Published: 02/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Australian unions have just helped secure wage increases between 5.75% and 8.6% for millions of workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/02/weve-won-a-pay-rise-for-millions-of-workers-today/

Six things you need to know about the minimum wage in 2023

Date Published: 12/04/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Here are the six things you need to know about how everyone benefits from fair pay rises.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/04/12/six-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-minimum-wage-in-2023/

Why a 7% increase to the minimum wage is a matter of survival

Date Published: 03/04/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

For workers who rely on minimum wages, the sheer cost of living doesn’t mean missing out on takeaway coffee or streaming services. Those things are already long gone. It means cutting back on basic needs because there’s nothing else left to cut.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/04/03/why-a-7-increase-to-the-minimum-wage-is-a-matter-of-survival/

The march forward to super on paid parental leave

Date Published: 07/03/2023
Category: Campaign Superannuation Women

In most circumstances, superannuation is paid on your annual leave, sick leave and long service leave. But did you know that when you take paid parental leave, you don’t get any super?

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/03/07/the-march-forward-to-super-on-paid-parental-leave/

Yes! Unions for a Voice to Parliament

Date Published: 03/03/2023
Category: Campaign Social Justice

ACTU Indigenous Officer Lara Watson joined us on The Bulletin this week, to share what a win for “Yes” in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum would mean for her as a proud Birri Gubba woman.  Later this year, the Australian public – some for their first ever voting experience – will be asked if…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/03/03/yes-unions-for-a-voice-to-parliament/

Rates, Railroads and Relief for Refugees

Date Published: 20/02/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

Interest Rates Rise A couple weeks ago, the Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates for the ninth consecutive time. It was news delivered along with a grim warning. It wouldn’t be the last of such increases; there were several more to come. RBA Governor Phil Lowe sticks by his decision and is quick to remind…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/20/rates-railroads-and-relief-for-refugees/

Early educators are out to win a massive pay rise. You can too.

Date Published: 17/02/2023
Category: Campaign Wages Women

How have we reached this point? Because wage growth has looked like a bumpy footpath for the past decade while corporate profits have scaled mountains.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/17/early-educators-are-out-to-win-a-massive-pay-rise-you-can-too/

We’re Winning for Women

Date Published: 14/02/2023
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

The other day I was perusing OECD’s dataset on the gender pay gap. The bar representing Australia was disconcertingly far to the right end of the graph; Australia had one of the widest disparities between women’s and men’s earnings in the OECD, at over 14 per cent.  Today as I idly find the same graph,…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/14/were-winning-for-women/

The Silent Silicosis Epidemic

Date Published: 08/12/2022
Category: Campaign

Nowhere in any of those meetings, were any workers for the company made aware of a substance called silica. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/12/08/the-silent-silicosis-epidemic/

New work laws provide three boosts to workers

Date Published: 08/12/2022
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

A change in work laws means you might well be about to get a well-deserved pay increase.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/12/08/new-work-laws-provide-three-boosts-to-workers/

One in four Australians skipping meals shows need to get wages moving again

Date Published: 01/12/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

It’s a shocking figure that has gained massive media attention, making headlines in the ABC and the Guardian. Even The Australian understands that one in four Australian skipping meals means we need urgent reform. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/12/01/one-in-four-australians-skipping-meals-shows-need-to-get-wages-moving-again/

Strength and safety for childcare workforce

Date Published: 19/11/2022
Category: Campaign Work Health and Safety

If nothing changes, we will continue to see educators leave the sector in droves. Not for lack of love, but because it breaks our hearts to be forced to put profit above children.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/11/19/strength-and-safety-for-childcare-workforce/

All across the country it’s Action, Action, Action!

Date Published: 14/11/2022
Category: Campaign Social Justice

Everyone has a bad boss story. Robyn Peeples is fictional but I could swear I’ve met him several iterations of him in various workplaces before. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/11/14/all-across-the-country-its-action-action-action/

The Power of Campaigning: a Budget Special

Date Published: 31/10/2022
Category: Campaign

Last week, the budget offered Australians a little relief, especially for parents. This includes an injection of about $4 billion over 4 years into affordable early childhood education and care, and an expansion of Paid Parental Leave from 18 to 26 weeks.  These two wins will help mums to enter or re-enter the workforce.  …

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/10/31/the-power-of-campaigning-a-budget-special/

Are you one of the workers who has just landed a pay rise? Here’s how to check

Date Published: 12/10/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

Do you work on a plane? Or in a café? Or conduct tours? If you work one of these jobs or one of the many others in aviation, hospitality, travel and tourism, you should have received a few extra dollars in your most recent pay slip.   As of 1 October, workers in these industries have…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/10/12/are-you-one-of-the-workers-who-has-just-landed-a-pay-rise-heres-how-to-check/

Having trouble getting decent pay? Fixing the bargaining system will change that

Date Published: 31/08/2022
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages

Keep an eye out of the next few days for the union movement’s positive plan to ensuring millions of workers can get a pay rise.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/31/having-trouble-getting-decent-pay-fixing-the-bargaining-system-will-change-that/

Australia has a bright climate future and unions are ready to make it happen

Date Published: 23/08/2022
Category: Campaign Climate

Australia is the best placed country in the world to be a renewable energy superpower, generating 395,000 jobs and $89 billion in revenue by 2040. We can get there by unions, government, business, and climate organisations working together.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/23/australia-has-a-bright-climate-future-and-unions-are-ready-to-make-it-happen/

Professor Nareen Young on what it means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers to speak truth

Date Published: 07/07/2022
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

“Because there is such ignorance in the broader Australian community about Indigenous people and our communities and our cultures, it constantly falls on Indigenous people to make up the gaps and fill in the blanks,” Young says.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/07/professor-nareen-young-on-what-it-means-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-workers-to-speak-truth/

Union win: 5.2% increase to the minimum wage

Date Published: 15/06/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

Today, the Fair Work Commission has announced a 5.2 per cent increase the minimum wage from 1 July. This increase equates to an extra $40 per week in the pocket of a full-time worker on the minimum wage. For workers who are reliant on award wages, the increase will be 4.6 per cent or $40 per week, whichever…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/06/15/union-win-5-2-increase-to-the-minimum-wage/

Ready to support a 5.5% wage increase but not sure how? Here’s five things you can say

Date Published: 09/04/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

We have been hearing a lot of old disproven excuses from big business and media commentators about why the minimum wage shouldn’t be increased. Here are five things you can say to set the conversation back on track.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/04/09/ready-to-support-a-5-wage-increase-but-not-sure-how-heres-five-things-you-can-say/

Morrison extends racist job program until 2024

Date Published: 01/04/2022
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

In a huge backtrack on earlier promises, the Morrison Government has renewed the racially discriminatory Community Development Program until July 2024. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/04/01/morrison-extends-racist-job-program-until-2024/

Why ‘Harmony Day’ is another Morrison cop-out

Date Published: 21/03/2022
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

Have you ever heard of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination? If not, that’s exactly as the Liberal Government intended. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/03/21/why-harmony-day-is-another-morrison-cop-out/

On National Close the Gap Day, Morrison had nothing to show us

Date Published: 21/03/2022
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

National Close the Gap Day this week marked fourteen years since Close the Gap targets were first announced.

It was a time for Australians everywhere to recommit to the aims of the campaign, because the Morrison Government has continued to fail when it comes to closing the gap.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/03/21/on-national-close-the-gap-day-morrison-had-nothing-to-show-us/

Australian workers urgently need JobKeeper 2.0

Date Published: 25/07/2021
Category: Campaign Rights at Work

A new JobKeeper is urgently needed for all workers and should not be open to corporate profiteering. Add your support today.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/07/25/australian-workers-urgently-need-jobkeeper-2-0/

Unions win pay rise for over 2 million workers

Date Published: 30/06/2021
Category: Campaign Wages

Over two million workers are set to get a 2.5% pay rise after a hard-fought campaign by Australian unions.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/06/30/unions-win-pay-rise-for-over-2-million-workers/

Why #BoycottHarveyNorman is trending and how you can get behind it

Date Published: 01/06/2021
Category: Campaign Politics and Big Business

Union led protests demanding a pay rise for working Australians have sparked a wave of online support to #BoycottHarveyNorman

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/06/01/why-boycottharveynorman-is-trending/

‘There is Strength in Numbers’

Date Published: 21/05/2021
Category: Campaign First Nations Workers Alliance Social Justice

Australian Unions is proud to offer a limited run of the print ‘There is Strength in Numbers’ by Lara Watson, with proceeds going to the First Nation Worker’s Alliance.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/21/there-is-strength-in-numbers/

For a Stronger, Balanced and Inclusive Recovery

Date Published: 27/04/2021
Category: Campaign Social Justice

Australian Unions have released For a Stronger, Balanced and Inclusive Recovery – a report proposing solutions to protect working people and build greater resilience in the economy.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/04/27/for-a-stronger-balanced-and-inclusive-recovery/

Enough is enough – 5 takeaways from #March4Justice

Date Published: 16/03/2021
Category: Campaign Women

Thousands of people have taken to the streets to voice their anger at the sexual violence faced by women in Australia and the failings of the Government to take meaningful action against it.
What did we learn?

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/16/enough-is-enough-5-takeaways-from-march4justice/

Fifty years since the Wave Hill Walk Off

Date Published: 22/08/2016
Category: Campaign Social Justice

The Wave Hill Walk Off was one of the key events of modern Australian history.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2016/08/22/fifty-years-since-the-wave-hill-walk-off/