Secure Jobs Better Future

Hundreds of thousands of workers would lose a significant portion of their pay this long weekend if the Abbott Government and employer groups had their way. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said workers such as nurses, hospitality and retail staff would have upwards of $200 ripped from their wages for working…

Australia's 1.5 million low paid workers and their families are facing tough times ahead following the Fair Work Commission's decision to only raise the minimum wage by $18.70 a week. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said the decision is particularly unfair considering today's National Accounts figures show the economy to be…

Were you born on or after 1 July 1958? If so, the Federal Government's proposed changes to the pension age will affect you. Whilst the focus on this proposed change in the recent Federal Budget has been on the pension age rising to 70 for everyone born on or after…

Unions are concerned that up to 350,000 Australian workers are searching for jobs in the very occupations where employers are continuing to use 457 visa workers. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said rates of unemployment and underemployment were rising in industries where bosses argue they can't find local workers. "Nurse graduates,…

In order to stand up for the rights of future workers in the Federal Government's Green Army, the ASU has lodged a submission with the Senate's Inquiry. The Green Army is the Federal Government's work for the dole scheme connected to environmental concerns and issues. As proposed, many of the…

Older workers are bearing the brunt of harsh, unfair and ill thought out policies that will erode the retirement security of low and middle income earners. ACTU Assistant Secretary Tim Lyons said that Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey's policies for superannuation and the age pension will hurt low and middle…

Unions fear the implications of last night's Budget will be felt for years to come with young job seekers among those most significantly impacted. ACTU President Ged Kearney said, "The so-called budget for everyone will hurt some much more than others." "By removing the safety net for young job seekers,…

In last night’s Budget the Federal Government tried to sweeten the state government pot. The formula to top up state assets with resources obtained from the privatisation of Medibank, recently discussed between state governments and the Commonwealth, might sound a good idea, but it will have a negative effect on…

The Abbott Government's first Budget signals the end of the Aussie fair go, unions said tonight. "The Abbott Government's assault on welfare, Medicare, education and the public sector represents the end of the fair go and the biggest attack on the social wage this country has ever seen," ACTU President…

The Abbott Government is considering a plan to cut the minimum wage every year for ten years which would have catastrophic consequences for Australia's lowest paid workers. ACTU President Ged Kearney that striking new analysis by the ACTU showed that the plan to aggressively drive down the minimum wage would…