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…

The ACTU will ask the Fair Work Commission to increase compulsory superannuation contributions for workers on award minimum wages to compensate them for the cut to their retirement savings because of the Abbott Government's decision to freeze superannuation increases. The ACTU will make the claim as part of its submission…

Like most Australians the ASU has been shocked by the recent cyclone in Vanuatu. We have been in touch with our union colleagues there and damage reports are grim. The ASU contributed early to the appeal for donations via UAA-APHEDA and we encourage members and supporters to consider contributing through…

Unions welcome the Senate Inquiry into the growing use and reported abuse of temporary work visas including 457, working holiday and student visas. The inquiry comes after lobbying by the ACTU, resource, health and service sector unions, which was supported by migrant community organisations, to ensure Australia's temporary visa system…

Today the ASU has released a new report bringing together Australian and international research on privatisation to illustrate the detrimental impact it can have. Public opposition to privatisation is at a high pitch as more people become informed, yet some politicians remain intent on selling our public assets and in…

Injured workers will be worse off under the Abbott Government's plans to expand Comcare – the national OHS and worker's compensation scheme. The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill will allow employers who operate in multiple states to exit state and territory workers compensation schemes and self-insure under Comcare. This will…