ASU Campaigns

Community partnerships

In addition to our core industrial work, the ASU has productive and valuable relationships with a selection of community organisations and supports a range of community causes. Below you will find information about the partnerships actively supported by the ASU National Office. ASU Branches are active in their communities too, so please contact them direct for further information about the state-based relationships. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA UAA-APHEDA was created in 1984 as the overseas aid agency of the Australian Council of ...

AIM - ASU Indigenous Members

ASU Indigenous Members (AIM) share unique interests. There are many Indigenous members working in industries covered by the ASU around Australia. The ASU is active on Indigenous issues within the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the various state and regional trades and labour councils. Read more about the ACTU's Indigenous Committee. In February 2011, the ACTU hosted an Indigenous Conference for trade unionists across the country. You can read the opening address by Secretary Jeff Lawrence here. Open All Close All ASU ...

International

The ASU recognises that many local industrial issues have antecedents in other nations. We also know that globalisation means that the labour standards of workers in other countries can, and do, impact the labour standards of Australian workers. As a result, the ASU is involved through various means with international labour organisations. We keep abreast of international issues to ensure that ASU members are protected. In some areas of international activity, the ASU is involved to support the rights of people overseas. ...

GLAM - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer ASU members

Are you LGBTIQ and an ASU member? If you're not an ASU member but identify as LGBTIQ then you should read on. If you are a supporter of ASU members who identify as LGBTIQ then you should read on too. GLAM is the official caucus of the ASU for LGBTIQ members. GLAM members are in every state and territory and in each Branch of the ASU. Some Branches have identified LGBTIQ contacts for the Branch and others have groups of LGBTIQ members who ...

Quality Public Services

Australian society, like many other societies throughout the world, has seen its governments pursue agendas of reduced spending on public services and infrastructure. Governments have also encouraged the pursuit of private sector participation in public services which has not always been in the interests of the Australians who use these services. The ASU is linked to these public services through our membership and our Branches who are involved in the day to day activities of these services. Examples include ASU members ...

Women

Strong Unions Need Women! Legislation was passed nearly forty years ago for women to receive equal pay. However, women in full time paid work still earn 18% less, are more likely to have a tertiary qualification but retire with less than 50% superannuation savings compared with men. Unions, in particular strong union women, have been integral to campaigns, lobbying and protests for paid parental leave, universal suffrage, equal pay, and workplace rights facilitating other family and care responsibilities. We have come a ...

Superannuation

About 20 years ago, less than half of all workers had superannuation. As a result of union activity, employees have made substantial gains and today that figure is closer to 97%. Superannuation is rightly considered a major issue given that for many people it has become their second biggest asset after the family home. Super is a crucial ingredient in our plans for retirement and will determine for many people whether they have a decent standard of living when they cease ...

Occupational Health & Safety

Occupational Health and Safety is something many workers take for granted but the ASU believes is a core workplace issue. We think that all employers should show the same high standards of care towards their employees, but this is not always the case. John Nucifora is the National Industrial Officer responsible for occupational health and safety matters. He is the ASU representative on the ACTU OHS Committee. For further information, please contact John. OHS campaign areas from recent years Don't Risk Second Rate ...

Young ASU members

Even the young, with the bulk of their working lives ahead of them, experience discrimination in the workforce. The ASU is concerned with making sure their rights are protected. ...

Award Safety Net Review & Minimum Wage

Each year, unions apply to increase minimum award wage rates during the Fair Work Commission's annual wage review process. This is to ensure the award safety net keeps pace with living costs. Not all employees are in workplaces where enterprise bargaining is the main engine driving pay increases, so the safety net review is critical to ensure all workers receive fair reward for their labour in Australia. The wage review will affect rates of pay set by enterprise agreements where the ...