Brussels, 13 June 2017 (ITUC OnLine): The number of countries experiencing physical violence and threats against workers has risen by 10 per cent in just one year, according to the annual ITUC Global Rights Index. Attacks on union members have been documented in fifty-nine countries, fuelling growing anxiety about jobs…

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has today urged the Turnbull Government to be open minded in its response to the findings of the Finkel Review into the Future of Security of Australia’s Energy Market. The Government must get on with making energy more affordable, reduce pollution and provide…

Your ASU delegates met with Virgin on 9 June 2017 and responded to Virgin’s log of claims. We told management that ASU members do not deserve a pay cut, so we reject their claims to: Increase the spread of hours from 0700 – 1800 to 0600 – 1800 (cutting millions…

Emirates will roll the dice and put an inferior Agreement out to vote. Your Union and bargaining representatives met with Emirates on Wednesday, 7 June 2017 to talk through Emirates’ draft replacement Agreement. The low pay offer was not discussed further, however Emirates has been put on notice about significant…

ASU officials met with Startrack Express managers on June 2 2017 in Melbourne to discuss commencing negotiations for a new EBA. The current EBA expires for re-negotiation purposes soon. What is the first step? Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR). The Fair Work Act requires Startrack to provide all employees…

Today’s announcement of an increase of 3.3% to minimum award wages does not meet the principle that a full time worker in Australia should not have to live in poverty. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recognised its failure to achieve this in its Annual Wage Review Statement but the ASU…

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has confirmed the penalty rate wage cuts for up to 700,000 workers will begin in less than four weeks. The transitional arrangements for the penalty rate cuts will ensure the pain that workers face will be a long, drawn out process, with wage cuts every…

Enduring commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement from the Australian Government is critical to ensuring Australia plays it part in addressing climate change alongside ensuring a Just Transition is achieved for workers in emissions-intensive industries and other industries that are facing a period of immense change. The Australian Council of…

Bargaining update Your ASU representatives have finally received a list of changes that Virgin wants to make to the enterprise agreement. It’s not pretty. Virgin wants to cut employees’ take home pay by making the following changes: Increase the spread of hours from 0700 – 1800 to 0600 – 1800…

Your ASU Bargaining Representatives met with MAB executives Sarah King and Nor Azuan Ismail on Tuesday 23 May 2017 to hear MAB’s latest response to your ASU log of claims. The MAB response is an improvement on their previous position but it still falls far short of members’ claims. Members…