Secure Jobs Better Future

Australian Unions welcome the opportunity for a genuine policy debate on Australia's productivity, economic growth, tax system and retirement incomes at the National Reform Summit in Sydney today. We need a long term plan for inclusive growth and prosperity that is supported by government, unions, business and community groups. Australia…

The Senate's decision to reject the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and Registered Organisations bills is a win for the rights at work of millions of Australians. These proposed laws are a key part of the Federal Government's agenda to weaken unions and attack our rights at work. Since…

The Federal Government has again shown it is beholden to ideology instead of the discipline of good government by trying to wind back the clock on industrial relations and talk up the shameful strategy of text messages in the middle of the night advising waterfront workers they have been sacked,…

The ACTU will pursue its claim to make paid domestic violence leave a workplace right in the Fair Work Commission today. The ACTU is pushing to make 10 days paid domestic violence leave for employees an award condition, which would benefit more than six million Australian workers. Having access to…

Unions have always said the Productivity Commission Inquiry was called by the Abbott Government in order to cut penalty rates, the minimum wage and rights at work – the interim report released yesterday confirms that. Penalty Rates to be cut The report calls for a two-tiered workplace system with Sunday…

ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver led a rally outside the office of Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson today calling for her to take action to protect penalty rates for thousands of workers in the Geelong, Colac and Surf Coast regions. Unions have written to Ms Henderson asking her to come out publicly…

Australian Unions will today launch a campaign to 'Save Our Weekend' and protect penalty rates for thousands of workers in the Geelong, Colac and Surf Coast regions. Around 100 people will gather at the Geelong Trades Hall Council to launch the campaign. >> Show your support for weekend rates by…

The Senate inquiry into temporary work visas is holding its final sitting in Canberra today concluding weeks of hearings shedding light on Australia's issue-riddled work visa system. The evidence is clear: the Abbott Government must fix this broken system. The Senate inquiry has previously held hearings in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth…

Unions call for a public registry of labour hire companies, a rigorous licensing system and a banning of rogue operators to protect hundreds of thousands of workers. The Fair Work Act must also be amended to recognise that both labour hire operator and host employers have a role in observing…

It is now well known that amongst its many broken election promises, the Federal Government broke Abbott's key centrepiece promise on paid parental leave (PPL). The fact they chose Mother's Day in May this year to announce the death knell of their policy just rubbed salt into the wound of…