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…

On 22 March 2015, World Water Day, PSI calls on water justice activists around the world to continue fighting for public and community control of water and sanitation services, to battle the contamination of watersheds, resist water grabs and demand water justice for all. Click here to read this on…

With the deadline for the Annual Wage Review this Friday, ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver has called on employers to lodge a submission based on facts, not anecdotes. “The ACTU is preparing to lodge its submission to increase the minimum wage,” said Mr Oliver. “Minimum wages are effective in boosting pay…

Unions have always said the Productivity Commission inquiry into workplace relations was a Trojan horse to bring back WorkChoices and big business is providing the proof in their submissions. Business Council of Australia (BCA) The Business Council of Australia (BCA) submission aims to cut people's penalty rates and wages, make…

We met with AaE management in Sydney on 17th March 2015 and unfortunately it seems they are still trying to sort out their position on a range of EBA issues not the least of which is when the pay freeze applies from for AaE ASU EBA covered staff. On the…

Shared services between the public and private sector, "Public Private Partnerships" (PPPs), or leasing or selling public services or assets to the private sector – these are all different names for privatisation in Australia. Under the title of PPPs, a new international report released today adds to the steadily growing…