Secure Jobs Better Future

The ASU has been closely monitoring the release of policies over the federal election campaign. Our analysis indicates that in terms of protecting your rights at work and building a better life, the two major parties are very different in what they’re offering. We are providing this information to members…

The ACTU is warning of a sharp rise in Patrick-style attacks on workers' jobs and conditions under the Coalition's policy of supporting employer-only greenfield agreements. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said the situation at Glencore Xstrata's Collinsville mine, where the company will shut the gates on hundreds of mineworkers tomorrow to…

Unions fear low-paid workers in the aged care sector will miss out on pay rises secured by the Labor Government under Tony Abbott's plans to give the money intended for workers direct to providers. Enterprise agreements were the best way to ensure the money flowed direct to workers and was…

The Coalition's policy of handing out bonuses as a solution to long-term unemployment suggests the fault lies with jobseekers and ignores the alarming reality of declining job opportunities for young Australians. A report released yesterday shows that in a softening jobs market the ever-growing number of people from overseas on…

Voters believe many aspects of life from rights at work to cost of living would be worse under an Abbott government, new polling shows. Essential Research polling commissioned by the ACTU found that the only things people thought would improve were conditions for business. Job security, education, health, public services…

The ACTU has written to all Liberal federal election candidates asking if they will commit to retaining penalty rates if they are elected. ACTU President Ged Kearney said unions were reaching out to Liberal candidates as senior party officials were suggesting a Coalition Government would back a post-election assault on…

The ASU joins the ACTU and other unions in seeking a commitment from the Federal Opposition that local government, state government and all other public sector workers will not be disadvantaged by the Abbott Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. The current scheme introduced by the ALP Federal Government allows a…

A pay rise for apprentices awarded by the Fair Work Commission will see more people complete vocational training and boost the skill level of the Australian workforce, the ACTU said today. The Commission has awarded significant pay rises to first and second year apprentices as well as people who start…

Eric Abetz has confirmed today that an Abbott Government will try to stop workers getting pay rises above inflation unless they give up conditions. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said Mr Abetz's comments in The Australian this morning that the Coalition would demand "excessive" wage rises include productivity reforms should ring…

Business is gearing up for a post-election push to reshape Australia's industrial relations landscape if the Coalition wins office: weakening unfair dismissal protections, cutting penalty rates and trading off conditions under the guise of 'flexibility', the ACTU said. Tony Abbott has today admitted there would be "all sorts of changes"…