In Australian society you are considered to be an adult when you turn 18. But this is not the case in many workplaces, reflecting a bygone era when turning 21 was the criteria for full adult wages. It's time all Australian workplaces reflected our current culture and so the ASU…

The vote for the Singapore Airlines 2013 - 2015 EBA has resulted in a reduced majority of employees approving the Agreement compared to the first vote. The second vote saw fewer employees vote in favour of the proposed Agreement, 124 votes (first vote 145 'yes' votes), and more, 81 employees,…

The Centre for Policy Development's public service Research Director Christopher Stone contends that sometimes cutting can cost more than it saves. Shifting responsibility to the private sector is not a cost-effective strategy when the public sector is better placed to provide essential services. While efficiency is defined in terms of…

BUPA staff would be aware that the BUPA Australia Enterprise Agreement 2010 expires on 24th June 2013. As in 2010 the ASU and FSU will be seeking to commence bargaining with management as soon as possible. Your enterprise agreement is a legally enforceable document which provides you with wages and…

The negotiations for the Qantas Holidays EBA 2 started with a meeting in Melbourne on 23rd May 2013 between the ASU National Negotiating Team (NNT) and Qantas Holidays/Jetset Travelworld Group management. After surveying staff your representatives formulated a claim which was then endorsed by ASU members, your NNT provided the…

The ASU National Negotiating Team were back at the bargaining table on Friday 24th May 2013 together with the Pit Crew union negotiators to restart negotiations for a replacement Ground Staff Agreement. What happened? Your NNT stressed to the company representatives that we wanted to program as many meetings as…

The ASU is recommending a NO vote for management's proposed new agreement in the voting that starts on Friday. The base rate of pay increases of 2.9% x 2.9% are the only guaranteed increases to everyone's salary. The performance merit increases (available only to employees who have not reached their…

Major retail companies behind the global Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord showed their commitment to improving the lives of Bangladeshi garment workers at the kick-off meeting. At the meeting held at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, the companies alongside IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union agreed to immediately move…

FedEx staff would be aware that the Federal Express National Enterprise Agreement 2010 expires on 4 August 2013. An amended draft agreement has been circulated by management prior to the commencement of formal bargaining with ASU and TWU representatives. There has been one meeting held between bargaining representatives on Tuesday…

The Fair Work Commission must use its annual review of the minimum wage to lift it by $30 per week and start to close the pay gap which is hurting low-paid workers. Hearings began in the FWC today to consider the ACTU's submission to raise the minimum wage from $15.96…