Covid-19

COVID isn’t over: what you can do to protect yourself and others

Date Published: 02/02/2023
Category: Covid-19

If your employer is refusing to implement any of these measures, it’s time to give your union a call.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/02/covid-isnt-over-what-you-can-do-to-protect-yourself-and-others/

Employers need to step up and support workers through COVID peak

Date Published: 21/07/2022
Category: Covid-19

In alarming news for all workers, Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly warned yesterday that COVID case numbers will soon surpass all previous peaks.  

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/21/employers-need-to-step-up-and-support-workers-through-covid-peak/

Workers supported to isolate with COVID sick leave restored

Date Published: 18/07/2022
Category: Covid-19

Good news for workers without paid sick leave: the Albanese Government has restored the $750 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/18/workers-supported-to-isolate-with-covid-sick-leave-restored/

The Morrison government’s scheme for tax deductible Rapid Antigen Tests barely scrapes the surface

Date Published: 11/02/2022
Category: Covid-19

Finally, the news we’ve been waiting for has arrived. The Morrison government has made Rapid Antigen Tests needed for work…. tax deductible.

Ultimately, this decision provides no immediate relief for workers who have been so frantically trying to secure themselves RATs.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/02/11/the-morrison-governments-scheme-for-tax-deductible-rapid-antigen-tests-barely-scrapes-the-surface/

Australia needs free, accessible rapid antigen tests. For all.

Date Published: 24/01/2022
Category: Covid-19

The Morrison Government must step up to make Rapid Antigen Tests free and accessible to all. That’s why Australian Unions has launched a new television ad calling on the community to help us convince the Morrison Government to make RATs free and accessible for all. We need your help to get this ad far and…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/01/24/australia-needs-free-accessible-rapid-antigen-tests-for-all/

Free Seminar: Omicron and Workplace Safety – Your Rights

Date Published: 21/01/2022
Category: Covid-19

The rapid spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant of COVID-19 comes at a time when many workplaces are unprepared. Register for this urgent meeting where Sally McManus and work and health and safety experts will provide advice and support on how to make work safe and prevent transmission.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/01/21/omicron-and-workplace-safety/

Reassessing workplace safety is crucial to economic recovery

Date Published: 15/10/2021
Category: Covid-19

As vaccination rates creep closer to the National Cabinet thresholds for economic reopening in lockdown states, many workplaces are preparing to expand their operations in a new context, writes Lauren Piko

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/10/15/reassessing-workplace-safety/

Australian workers urgently need JobKeeper 2.0

Date Published: 25/07/2021
Category: Covid-19

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/

COVID-19 pandemic leave and payments

Date Published: 02/07/2021
Category: Covid-19

What pandmic leave and payments are you entitled to? Check this list prepared by the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/07/02/covid-19-pandemic-leave-and-payments/

Vaccinations – your questions answered

Date Published: 01/07/2021
Category: Covid-19

Australian Unions answers key questions you may have about the vaccination program and your workers’ rights

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/07/01/vaccinations-your-questions-answered/

What workers need to reopen Australia’s borders

Date Published: 21/05/2021
Category: Covid-19 Working life

Vaccination is the precondition of opening our borders and supporting the workers whose jobs depend on international travel, writes Chloe Ward.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/21/what-workers-need-to-reopen-australias-borders/

Meet Sherree: one cut from poverty

One shift can make all the difference for aged care worker Sherree Clarke. But in the midst of a pandemic, she actually saw fewer of them.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/10/meet-sherree-one-cut-from-poverty/

International Women’s Day 2021 Report

Date Published: 08/03/2021
Category: Covid-19 Human Rights Industrial Relations

Reality check for Australian Working Women International Women’s Day is a day to reflect upon and honour the work of all the women who fought for the rights and protections that working women have today. But this year, it’s also a day for a reality check – because this Government has left women behind. The…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/08/international-womens-day-2021-report-reality-check-for-australian-working-women/

Winding back JobSeeker will send an extra 190,000 Australians into poverty

Date Published: 18/12/2020
Category: Covid-19 Workers rights

Chief economist for the independent think tank The Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss, has labelled cuts to the JobSeeker payment “absolutely crazy”, warning it will see an extra 190,000 people living in poverty. Speaking with On the Job with Francis Leach & Sally Rugg, the prominent economist and author explained, “From an economic point of view, putting…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/12/18/winding-back-jobseeker-will-send-an-extra-190000-australians-into-poverty/

Someone is messing with your rights at work – what you need to know

Date Published: 10/12/2020
Category: Covid-19 Workers rights

A new Industrial Relations (IR) law that will allow employers to cut the wages and conditions of workers has just been introduced.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/12/10/someone-is-messing-with-your-rights-at-work-what-you-need-to-know/

Secure jobs with decent pay and conditions key to “a better normal after COVID-19″

Date Published: 02/12/2020
Category: Covid-19 Workers rights

Shadow Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP says Australians deserve a “better normal” for the sacrifices made during the pandemic including jobs “that are secure with decent pay and conditions”.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/12/02/secure-jobs-with-decent-pay-and-conditions-key-to-a-better-normal-after-covid-19/

Tanya Plibersek MP, says investment in cheaper, cleaner renewable energy is a “no brainer”

Date Published: 30/11/2020
Category: Covid-19

Shadow Minister for Education and Training, the Hon.Tanya Plibersek MP, says investment in cheaper, cleaner renewable energy is a “no brainer” as we begin our COVID-19 recovery.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/11/30/tanya-plibersek-mp-says-investment-in-cheaper-cleaner-renewable-energy-is-a-no-brainer/

The incredible story behind our Limited Edition Tie-Dyed ‘We’re For Workers’ Tee

Date Published: 16/10/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

“All the shirts are unique and you never know how one will look – that’s why it’s so exciting… ”When COVID-19 hit, Beth was laid off from her job in the fashion industry after 15 years.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/10/16/the-incredible-story-behind-our-limited-edition-tie-dyed-were-for-workers-tee/

Behind the Mask – meet some of the hidden heroes of the crisis

Date Published: 06/09/2020
Category: Covid-19

Buy Australian, from manufacturers who provide safe conditions and pay their workers properly. That’s the message from workers who are making face masks in unprecedented numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Order your Australian Unions face masks here. At the start of the pandemic, global demand for masks for medical and personal use spiked. With international…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/09/06/behind-the-mask-meet-some-of-the-hidden-heroes-of-the-crisis/

‘What Happens Next?’ book offer and competition

Date Published: 01/09/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the global economy, a reset to serve the wellbeing of people and the planet was plainly needed.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/09/01/what-happens-next-book-offer-and-competition/

Got questions about your work rights during COVID-19?

Date Published: 17/08/2020
Category: Covid-19

When business restrictions were introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19, Amy* found herself amongst the thousands of workers in Australia without work.
“It all changed so quickly. One week I was told to work from home and then the next week, I was stood down,” she said.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/08/17/got-questions-about-your-work-rights-during-covid-19/

Paid pandemic leave – what is it and why do we need it?

Date Published: 10/08/2020
Category: Analysis Covid-19 Workers rights

In what’s been an already devasting year, it’s fair to say Victorians have had an especially rough week.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/08/10/paid-pandemic-leave-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it/

A win for paid pandemic leave – but there’s more to be done

Date Published: 06/08/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits Workers rights

We can celebrate a victory this week, with the Fair Work Commission finally listening to Australian unions’ calls for paid pandemic leave for aged care workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/08/06/a-win-for-paid-pandemic-leave-but-theres-more-to-be-done/

Member Benefits Update August 2020

Date Published: 05/08/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

Welcome to the August edition of your Member Benefits Update.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/08/05/member-benefits-update-august-2020/

Why we’re talking more about money

Date Published: 03/08/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

Aussies have shared some tough times during COVID-19 but the silver lining is that we’re talking more about money matters – and looking for ways to give our financial skills a lift.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/08/03/why-were-talking-more-about-money/

What comes after COVID-19?

Date Published: 23/07/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

While the Morrison Government contemplates tax cuts for the wealthy and returning to a punitive approach to welfare payments, Australian unions have been thinking hard about what comes after the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/23/what-comes-after-covid-19/

In Conversation: Young Workers

Date Published: 22/07/2020
Category: Analysis Covid-19

Michele O’Neil interviewed young workers and how they were affected by COVID-19.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/22/in-conversation-young-workers/

Two urgent reforms can protect vulnerable workers from the worst effects of COVID-19

Date Published: 20/07/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

The Morrison Government must stop dragging its feet on urgent reforms to protect vulnerable workers during the current COVID-19 crisis, and after.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/20/two-urgent-reforms-can-protect-vulnerable-workers-from-the-worst-effects-of-covid-19/

Michele O’Neil on Insiders

Date Published: 19/07/2020
Category: Covid-19

Watch Michele O’Neil’s full interview on Insiders where she discusses our National Economic Reconstruction Plan.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/19/michele-oneil-on-insiders/

Paid pandemic leave can arrest the latest coronavirus outbreak, and help save Australia’s economy

Date Published: 09/07/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a dangerous new turn in Australia, the Federal Government must provide all working people with paid pandemic leave.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/09/paid-pandemic-leave-can-arrest-the-latest-coronavirus-outbreak-and-help-save-australias-economy/

Paid pandemic leave for all

Date Published: 09/07/2020
Category: Analysis Covid-19

After tribunal rejection, ACTU doubles down on paid pandemic leave for all.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/09/paid-pandemic-leave-for-all/

Securing jobs and wage growth: the key to economic recovery

Date Published: 02/07/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits Workers rights

Every Australian can win, if discussions between the government, business, and the union movement address weaknesses in workplace law that started long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/07/02/securing-jobs-and-wage-growth-the-key-to-economic-recovery/

New tax break for working from home

Date Published: 19/06/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

COVID-19 has seen lots of us working from home for the first time.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/06/19/new-tax-break-for-working-from-home/

Tips for working from home

Date Published: 01/05/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

For many of us, working from home is another challenge we must deal with as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/05/01/tips-for-working-from-home/

Member Benefits Update April 2020

Date Published: 02/04/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits Super

In the April edition of your Member Benefits Update we bring you advice on the COVID-19 pandemic, we look at online shopping and how to stay safe and there’s some good news on our latest win with the new wage subsidy program.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/04/02/member-benefits-update-april-2020/

COVID-19 update from ME

Date Published: 27/03/2020
Category: Covid-19 Member Benefits

How ME can support their customersCOVID-19 (Coronavirus) can have an impact on both people’s health and their financial wellbeing.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/03/27/covid-19-update-from-me/

List of employers who have agreed to two weeks special leave.

Date Published: 17/03/2020
Category: Covid-19

Employers should always make the health and wellbeing of employees a priority for their business. When facing something as unprecedented as COVID-19, this has never been more critical. The following businesses have been nominated by workers across Australia as granting access to special paid sick leave and additional support*, which is fundamental to ensuring the safety…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/03/17/list-of-employers-who-have-agreed-to-two-weeks-special-leave/