Rights at Work

TONY Abbott and his new Coalition government have long planned a Royal Commission into the union movement. This, of course, was not a policy that the Coalition took to the 2013 election. Such a naked attack would have ‘scared the horses’, exposing what the Coalition has been desperate to hide—its…

The ASU's success in negotiating the world's first enterprise agreement clause supporting victims of domestic violence in 2010 has been recognised in a recent academic study as an instance of achieving equality measures through bargaining. The study by Professor Marian Baird of Sydney University considered the circumstances around the ASU's…

The ASU welcomed the announcement late last year of the establishment of a Senate Select Committee to inquire into the Federal Government's National Commission of Audit (NCA). We believe this Senate Committee will provide some independent advice and allow community views to be heard. The ASU has lodged a submission…

The Abbott Government has turned its back on Australian workers and sided with big business to drive down wages and conditions in this country, unions said today. ACTU President Ged Kearney said workers have been misled by Prime Minister Abbott who told voters before the election that he would not…

ACTU President Ged Kearney today warned workers in the NT that the Abbott Government is using job losses and industry uncertainty to go after wages and conditions. Speaking to workers at Nightcliff Family Centre in Darwin, Ms Kearney said not only was Mr Abbott not standing up for local jobs,…

Working Life is a news source for all workers, bringing you a range of stories. Read it, print it, share it! The latest edition includes the following: Abbott blamed for Holden's demise; New Senator Bob Day puts families first and workers last; This is our community and we want to…

The Abbott Government's reluctance to step up to the challenge and save jobs and industries is a smokescreen for cuts to wages and conditions, said ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver. "In a blatant attempt to spread misinformation the Abbott Government seeks to blame hardworking Australians instead of attributing blame where it…

Unions are concerned that ten years after asbestos was banned in Australia importation continues. ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said the goal of making Australia asbestos free by 2030 was unlikely at this rate. "December 31 was the tenth anniversary of a ban on asbestos following clear and irrefutable evidence…

Unions welcome new laws that came into effect yesterday on 1 January 2014 that give bullied workers a way to solve stressful, damaging and sometimes deadly workplace bullying issues. ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said unions have been fighting for these changes for over a decade. "We put bullying on…

The ACTU is urging the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program to focus on what can be done to increase safety for workers. ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said the Royal Commission presented an opportunity to toughen workplace safety laws to help reduce the number of unnecessary injuries and…