An incoming federal government should commit to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) goals across Australia, said the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and unions. During the period of the Abbott/Turnbull Government, a period of policy stagnation in Occupational Health and Safety and workers’ compensation has been delivered. The ACTU…

The ACTU and ASU welcome the Labor Party’s commitment to the proper and timely funding for early childhood education and for early childhood educators in this country. Affordable and accessible early childhood education and care helps ensure that all children get the best start in life. This package recognises the…

We had an extremely successful “wear red for Rem day” on 1st June 2016 with staff across the country donning red to send a message to the firm that it is time to make a fair pay offer. From the wearing of red stockings, dresses and shirts to socks and…

We’ve had 2 meetings with Qantas since our last bulletin – on 26th May and 1st June (these were our 7th and 8th meetings with the company). Things are moving at a glacial pace – probably expected when you consider that Qantas is all about a wage freeze. Qantas has…

When there are no beds available at a women’s refuge, no community legal services, no financial counselling support, what will you say to the woman leaving her violent partner? “This is the question Malcolm Turnbull needs to answer,” said Linda White, Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Services Union (ASU),…

The Turnbull Government’s failure to strongly advocate to raise the minimum wage is a glaring and potentially costly omission, as the Fair Work Commission (FWC) today announced a $15.80 weekly increase for Australia’s lowest paid workers. While unions are respectful of the FWC process and welcome any rise in wages,…

On Monday 30th May workplace delegates from across Australia met with key stakeholders to discuss and review our campaign to make the NDIS the best it can be. The summit had 3 guest speakers, the first was David Bowen, CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency. Mr. Bowen spoke frankly…

At last night’s Leaders’ Debate, Mr Turnbull said the Government must seek “the right outcomes for our children because they are our future.” But which children was he talking about? The ones in our public education system? [Gonski not fully funded beyond 2017, with the Coalition to maintain an inequitable…

The Algerian authorities have blocked an international trade union mission to Western Sahara, refusing to allow Arab Trade Union Confederation Executive Secretary Mustapha Tlili to enter Algeria on his way to Western Sahara. The ASU is a supporter of the Western Sahara struggle for self-determination but the news is also…

Last year the ASU conducted a broad ranging survey on financial insecurity in retirement. We presented a snapshot of some of our findings in our submission to the Senate Inquiry into economic security for women in retirement and appeared at the Senate hearing. We left the politicians in no doubt…