Human Rights

Beyond the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Date Published: 07/12/2023
Category: Human Rights

Today is Human Rights Day, and the final day of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign held every year.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/12/07/beyond-the-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence/

Pinkwashing examples that take the (rainbow) cake

Date Published: 22/02/2023
Category: Human Rights

Here are some examples to help you figure out what is genuinely queer friendly, and what is undermining the LGBTIQA+ community – and not just during Mardi Gras.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/22/pinkwashing-examples-that-take-the-rainbow-cake/

Permanent protection won for thousands of refugees

Date Published: 15/02/2023
Category: Human Rights

For 19,000 refugees who have set up new lives in Australia, there is finally hope.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/15/permanent-protection-won-for-thousands-of-refugees/

Myanmar human rights abuses can be stopped – here’s how

Date Published: 01/02/2023
Category: Human Rights

Two years ago on 1 February, the Myanmar military took over the country in a coup and since then has deployed a brutal crackdown against citizen dissent.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/01/myanmar-human-rights-abuses-can-be-stopped-heres-how/

Summer Reads for Unionists

Date Published: 04/01/2023
Category: Human Rights

How are you spending your hot union summer? There’s nothing like curling up with a book to recover from a boxing day retail shift or to relax before work kicks off again for the new year.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/01/04/summer-reads-for-unionists/

Union members kick back against ‘sportwashing’ for FIFA World Cup

Date Published: 29/10/2022
Category: Human Rights

“There are universal values that should define football. Values such as respect, dignity, trust and courage.”

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/10/29/union-members-kick-back-against-sportwashing-for-fifa-world-cup/

Why we can never take our healthcare system for granted

Date Published: 13/07/2022
Category: Human Rights

Ever walked into a bulk-billing clinic when you or a loved one was sick? It wasn’t so long ago that you would’ve had to pay for that trip to the doctor, no matter how small the ailment.  

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/13/why-we-can-never-take-our-healthcare-system-for-granted/

Unions still working five years on from international agreement to abolish nuclear weapons

Date Published: 11/07/2022
Category: Human Rights

We’ve had international treaties banning the use of biological weapons and chemical weapons for more than thirty years. But did you know it wasn’t until 2017 that we reached the same level of agreement to abolish nuclear weapons?

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/11/unions-still-working-five-years-on-from-international-agreement-to-abolish-nuclear-weapons/

The secret union history of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Date Published: 23/06/2022
Category: Human Rights

When the police formed their barrier along Oxford Street in Sydney, it was far from the first time gay rights activists had faced police violence.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/06/23/the-secret-union-history-of-the-sydney-gay-and-lesbian-mardi-gras/

How unions are building queer-friendly workplaces

Date Published: 17/05/2022
Category: Human Rights

We have had a stellar win for women and LGBTQIA+ workers only yesterday when we won support for 10 days paid family & domestic violence leave in our Fair Work case. We’ve made some huge achievements this year and are striving towards even better workplaces to make sure no one is left behind.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/05/17/how-unions-are-building-queer-friendly-workplaces/

How you can take action this Reconciliation Week and beyond

Date Published: 27/05/2021
Category: FNWA Human Rights

Want to help make reconciliation a reality in the workplace? Here are some actions to get you started.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/27/how-you-can-take-action-this-reconciliation-week-and-beyond/

‘There is Strength in Numbers’ – a limited offer from Australian Unions

Date Published: 21/05/2021
Category: FNWA Human Rights

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/

Inclusive language in the workplace – 3 small changes to make a big impact

Date Published: 17/05/2021
Category: Human Rights

Creating an inclusive culture is a job for everyone. To celebrate IDAHOBIT, we’ve compiled three small changes you can make to help LGBTIQ+ workers feel respected and included.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/17/inclusive-language-in-the-workplace/

Enough is enough – 5 takeaways from #March4Justice

Date Published: 16/03/2021
Category: Analysis Human Rights Working 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/

It’s time to get real about the issues working women face every day

Date Published: 09/03/2021
Category: Human Rights Workers rights

To mark International Women’s Day 2021, Australian Unions have released a report into women’s progress and gender equality in Australia and wow, do we need to do better.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/09/lets-get-real-about-the-issues-working-women-face-every-day/

5 ways to support women co-workers every day

Date Published: 08/03/2021
Category: Human Rights Working life

International Women’s Day is here again – a day to celebrate the achievements of women and a call to action in the ongoing fight for gender equality.
A day is great, but it got us thinking. What can we be doing to support women in our workplaces all year round? So, we’ve put together a list of 5 ways you can start making a difference.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/08/5-ways-to-support-women-co-workers-every-day/

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/

Our minimum wage has workers living in poverty

Date Published: 08/07/2018
Category: Human Rights

About For almost 100 years Australia’s minimum wage was about workers’ standard of living. That’s no longer the case. Today the minimum wage is decided by a panel of ‘experts’ dominated by economists. The result is that the minimum wage has fallen badly behind and no longer protects working families from poverty. The IssuesIn this…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2018/07/08/our-minimum-wage-has-workers-living-in-poverty/

Human Trafficking

Date Published: 05/07/2013
Category: Human Rights

Australia is a destination country for human trafficking. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Department, has produced a video to raise awareness of this significant issue.  All workers should be concerned about exploitation in our workplaces. Under Australian workplace laws, every worker is entitled to fair wages and conditions….

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2013/07/05/human-trafficking/