Australian Unions are deeply concerned by the Federal Government's decision to scrap a successful twenty year partnership between employers and unions on vocational education and training (VET). Industry Skills Councils have been one of the key strengths of Australia's vocational education and training system and the source of much of…

Public service trade unions and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice invite members to join in marching this May Day under the banner "Working people pay taxes – corporations must pay their share!" Click here to read this on the PSI website with links to further resources Following the Tax…

A coalition of civil society groups and unions around the world has organised a global day of action on 18 April to demonstrate against the negotiation of harmful trade agreements. PSI endorses this day of action and encourages affiliates to participate. Click here to read this on the PSI website…

Australian Unions call for the Federal Government to stop negotiations on the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. A public forum at NSW Parliament House today will discuss details from leaked documents confirming proposals that could result in higher medicine prices and special rights for foreign companies to sue government…

This edition contains a summary of blog items published by Greg McLean in the previous calendar month. Items cover the areas of local government, energy and water, rail and public transport, international news including trade agreements, privatisation and general public sector matters The articles all relate to the blog of…

Australians are being subjected to a false and misleading campaign about penalty rates by employer groups in the lead up to Easter, Australian Unions said today. Despite no evidence to support their claims, employers in the growing sectors of retail and hospitality are calling for penalty rates for working over…

The ACTU Executive last week voted unanimously to condemn the Abbott and Barnett Governments' moves to forcibly close Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Unions call on the Abbott Government to restore funding for Aboriginal communities and the Barnett Government to end the political funding games and work with communities to…

The ACTU is calling for a $27 increase in the minimum wage to $667.90 per week or $17.58 per hour. The ACTU's submission to the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review shows minimum wages are at a record low of 43.4% of average weekly full time earnings and that inequality…

Jetstar staff have voted overwhelmingly to endorse the ASU EBA 5 deal negotiated and recommended by the ASU's Jetstar National Negotiating Team. The external company conducting the ballot, Elections Australia Pty Ltd, today declared that ASU EBA 5 has been approved by the majority of staff. 84.87% of staff who…

The Central Jakarta District Court on 24 March annulled the water privatisation contracts of Suez (PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya – Palyja) and Aetra, finding that the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) were negligent in fulfilling the human right to water for Jakarta's residents. Click here to read this on the PSI website…