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2005 Archive
December 2005 |
Vote YES in ASU Ballot at Virgin Blue!
By now, ASU members at Virgin Blue should have received ballot papers from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission for the confidential ballot on Union representation. To have your views heard it is important to vote "YES" and get your ballot back by 9 January 2006
23 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Support for Port Adelaide Enfield Library workers goes International
Following our recent article about the the Port Adelaide Enfield Council's treatment of Library staff at Christmas many thousands of emails have flooded the Council offices condemning their actions and asking them to reconsider their position. Among these emails was valuable support from UNISON, the largest trade union in the UK who organises library workers.
23 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Meetings at Emirates scheduled
Emirates have announced that they will be holding staff consultation meetings to hear your views for the upcoming EBA in the first week of January 2006.
23 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Scrooge not just fiction at Port Adelaide Enfield Council Libraries
Australian Services Union members working in Port Adelaide Enfield Council's five libraries are being forced to work Christmas day or take annual leave as their council administration exploits a loophole in their Award. Staff members have been rostered on to work 3 hour shifts on Christmas day despite the fact that the Libraries are officially closed.
22 December 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU members endorse AaE EBAs
ASU members at Australian Air Express have endorsed the proposed deals for the AaE On Airport EBA and the AaE Off Airport EBA.
22 December 2005 [ full story ]
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AIRC to conduct ballot of ASU members at Virgin Blue
As most of you would be aware, the ASU wrote and met with Virgin Blue requesting that the ASU be part of the replacement EBA negotiations, but Virgin Blue have refused saying that they prefer the "current arrangements".
21 December 2005 [ full story ]
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AIRC to facilitate talks between ASU & Virgin Blue
The ASU has requested the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to assist us in getting Virgin Blue to the table to talk about joining the ASU to the current discussion for a replacement EA.
16 December 2005 [ full story ]
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AaE agree to extend EBA
The ASU AaE National Negotiating Team met with AaE in Melbourne on 14 December 2005 to discuss extending our current ASU On Airport & Off Airport Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) ahead of their expiry dates on 30 June 2006.
15 December 2005 [ full story ]
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All I want for Christmas is my Rights at Work
As you write your Christmas cards, don’t forget your local politician. Did your Member of Parliament help John Howard give us “WorkChoices”, or are they going to help send it back like an unwanted Christmas present?
14 December 2005 [ full story ]
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GATS a key issue for ministers & delegates
This week sees hundreds of delegates and ministers descend upon Hong Kong as the 4th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meeting takes place. This meeting, one of the most important in the world, will discuss a number of trade-related issues, key for developing and developed nations, alike.
13 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 38
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 38) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the payment of the Fourth Dividend.
13 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Disappointing response from Virgin Blue management
Virgin Blue has now written to the ASU advising that they do not wish to allow the ASU to join the current negotiations for a replacement Certified Agreement for Virgin Blue’s ground Crew. This is disappointing as the ASU has significant numbers of members at Virgin Blue and all we want to do is represent your interests and give our members a voice at the bargaining table.
12 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Howard Government's IR dream now a living nightmare for working families
The final passage of the Government's amended WorkChoices laws through Parliament will make John Howard's industrial relations dream a living nightmare for Australian workers and their families says the ACTU.
07 December 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU meets with Maersk on P&O Nedlloyd takeover
Members in P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk have raised concerns over the processes involved in the takeover by Maersk. The ASU wrote to Maersk seeking that they cease any further actions involving redeployment, redundancy and interviewing until such time as Maersk had satisfactorily resolved the consultation processes that had been ignored.
06 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Negotiations commence at NCR
Historic negotiations commenced between the ASU and NCR on Friday 2 December 2005 with the presentation and discussion on the ASU Log of Claims. The Log of Claims items are tabled in the attached bulletin for you to follow NCR’s response and the negotiations as they progress.
05 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Local people go to Canberra today to tell MPs 'We oppose new IR laws'
Local workers and unions from regional areas and in key electorates are playing an active part in the community campaign to protect employee job security and family living standards by opposing the Government’s new WorkChoices IR laws says the ACTU.
05 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Workers plan long-term campaign to overturn 'destructive' IR laws
Unions plan a long-term campaign to overturn the destructive new WorkChoices IR laws and unseat the Howard Government at the next federal election.
05 December 2005 [ full story ]
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A message from Sharan Burrow and Greg Combet - Sign the pledge: commit to the fight ahead
Today, John Howard’s Government is expected to pass the most radical and unfair industrial laws this country has ever seen.
02 December 2005 [ full story ]
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ITF News Online - December 2005
The news flashes from this article are: Trade unionists urged to back international HIV/AIDS campaign; Mexican workers stand behind Argentine free trade deal rejection; Global backing for US cooperative workers; Transport unions to back UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; Transport workers take on anti-worker laws in Australia.
02 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Pay Equity NOW! - November 2005 edition
The latest PSI Pay Equity Now! bulletin is now available. It is an electronic newsletter produced by Public Services International as part of its pay equity campaign. It provides information on pay equity concerns and achievements, including reports of union activities, information on collective bargaining and equality issues, job evaluation schemes, training and capacity-building initiatives, and details of new research and publications. It also monitors legislative developments and government and employer initiatives.
02 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia pay day changes have NOT been agreed to!
Mission Australia have informed employees that all unions have signed off on the changes to your pay cycle. This is untrue. Mission Australia has not advised the ASU of any such intention to change your pay day.
02 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Funny film - scary message
An award winning short comedy that shows what life might be like after John Howard removes unfair dismissal laws has been doing the rounds of people's emails.
02 December 2005 [ full story ]
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Today is World Aids Day - December 1
Around the world people are wearing red ribbons to acknowledge that December 1 is World Aids Day. A global unions program has been launched to make the fight against HIV and AIDS a central issue for trade unions. Check out the latest on the fight against HIV and AIDS in the attached ASU bulletin which can be found in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this news item.
01 December 2005 [ full story ]
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November 2005 |
Guarantee of weekly or fortnightly pay day under threat from IR laws
Many Australian workers could lose their right to be paid on a weekly or fortnightly basis under the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws the ACTU said yesterday.
30 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Interviewing at Emirates
Last week we conducted face to face interviews with a number of staff at Emirates in a number of locations, we have also had a number of written surveys returned. Thank you to everyone who participated. It was great to hear your suggestions for the next EBA and to talk to you about possible negative impact of the Governments “WorkChoices” Legislation.
29 November 2005 [ full story ]
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85,189 Australians tell Barnaby Joyce to take a stand
On Monday 21 November a campaign petition was started asking Senator Barnaby Joyce to reject the Federal Government's radical changes to our IR laws - by 5pm Friday 25 November an astronomical 85,189 people had signed the petition. This result far exceeded all expectations - our original target was what now seems like a modest 10,000 signatures!
28 November 2005 [ full story ]
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NCR - United we bargain!
ASU Delegates and members have engaged in collective action, shown collective strength and have put forward a united front. The results, NCR have finally agreed to commence bargaining with ASU members.
28 November 2005 [ full story ]
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What’s been happening at The Smith Family
Your representatives on the Classification Working Group (CWG) have been working hard to put together a package that ensures that ASU member’s rates of pay are no less than their award rates. This is no easy feat given that there are different awards in each state and territory. We were also seeking to achieve a structure that can be applied consistently and logically and that will maintain its integrity over time, not just in the near future.
25 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU Road Transport Global News
The road transport sector of the ASU includes all rental car companies, package and parcel delivery companies, general delivery companies, trucking companies, related call centres, track and trace contractors and many more.
25 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 37
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 37) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the proposed pooling of the Ansett Group.
25 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Petition signing at NCR pays off!
NSW Delegate Mark Potter, National Industrial Officer Jo Justo and NSW Services Branch Organiser Bill Croslow met with NCR representatives to present the petitions which have been signed by over 75% of employees around Australia. The petitions demanded that NCR enter into negotiations for an enterprise agreement and that employees wished the ASU to bargain on their behalf.
24 November 2005 [ full story ]
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One day left to tell Barnaby to take a stand
The Campaign to tell Senator Barnaby Joyce to take a stand on the WorkChoices legislation started in the afternoon of Monday 21 November with a target of collecting 10,000 signatures.
24 November 2005 [ full story ]
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White Ribbon Day - November 25th 2005
The 25th of November is the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Activists have marked 25th November since 1981, commemorating the three Mirabel sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of ruler Rafael Trujillo.
24 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Optus call centre workers say "yes" to the ASU
Optus call centre workers in South Australia have voted overwhelmingly (65%) for the right to join the ASU. This was despite Optus management actively opposing staff having the right to choose.
24 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Sign a petition to tell Barnaby Joyce it is time to take a stand on WorkChoices
To get his radical industrial relations legislation through the Senate, John Howard needs the vote of one critical Senator: Barnaby Joyce.
21 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU National Office audited accounts and financial statements
ASU Financial Statements for 2004-2005. The Workplace Relations Act requires that the financial affairs of unions are checked and audited every 12 months to make sure union funds are administered properly and to detect any shortcomings. The National Executive and the Branches of the ASU each conduct their own audit.
17 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU appears at WorkChoice's Senate Inquiry
On the afternoon of the National Community Day of Protest (15 November 2005) an ASU delegation appeared before the Senate Inquiry into the WorkChoices legislation to tell the Senators how ASU members will be adversely affected by WorkChoices if the Senate passes the WorkChoices Bill.
17 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU reps meet Company
On 14 November 2005, ASU Reps Linda White, ASU Assistant National Secretary, and Julie Bignell, Queensland Branch Secretary met with Steve Newman, Manager People Ground Operations and Brian Cook, Virgin Blue lawyer from Clayton Utz in Brisbane to discuss our participation in the current round of enterprise bargaining.
16 November 2005 [ full story ]
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PSI - Quality Public Services Update, November 2005
The Quality Public Services Campaign is a global priority. Public Services International (PSI) is working with unions and communities to ensure that public services are well resourced with skilled staff delivering services that are effective, participatory, accessible and meet community needs. Quality public services are essential if the world is to meet important social objectives such as the eradication of poverty and hunger.
15 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Sick leave for workers & parents subject to punitive new conditions under Government’s IR laws
The Federal Government’s new industrial relations laws will give employers punitive new powers to demand that workers provide a medical certificate for every single day of sick leave they take says the ACTU.
11 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Government MPS snub working Australians by rushing new IR laws
By rushing new workplace laws through Federal Parliament, the Howard Government is snubbing the concerns of working Australians that their living standards will be threatened by the changes says the ACTU.
11 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Active, Strong & United - ASU women need to take a stand!
Tuesday 15th November 2005 is the day women of the ASU need to take part in the National Day of Community Protest. Make sure you are heard on the despicable destruction of workers rights by the Federal Government.
10 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Thousands of submissions flood Senate Inquiry
In just five days, more than five thousand people have made submissions to the Senate Inquiry and told them their views on Howard’s radical workplace changes. Thanks to your energy and dedication we far exceeded our initial targets.
10 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ITF condemns Australian Government's new anti-union laws and calls for international protest
The International transport Workers Federation (ITF) Executive Board at its meeting on 27 and 28 October 2005 unanimously condemned the repressive anti union laws currently being introduced in Australia's federal parliament by the Howard Government.
09 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Massive public concern over new work laws shows longer inquiry a must
More than 4500 submissions from members of the public have already been lodged to the Senate Inquiry examining the Government’s proposed new workplace laws.
09 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Sydney City Council signs workplace charter
Australia’s oldest democratic institution, the Sydney City Council, has signed on to the union movement’s workplace charter. The charter is intended to protect workers from the Howard Government’s unfair attack through the so called WorkChoices legislation currently before Parliament.
08 November 2005 [ full story ]
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MP speaks up for workers rights
Brendan O'Connor, Member for Gorton and Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation and former ASU national official, gave a speech to Federal Parliament on November 4 2005.
07 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Bite back at Howard with new Rights at Work merchandise
Show John Howard that when he threatens our rights at work, we bite back! A full range of new campaign merchandise is now available from the ASUshop. Get in quick to ensure you receive your choices in time for the National Day of Community Protest on November 15.
07 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ACTU vows national demonstrations on Tuesday 15 November against IR laws
The ACTU and the union movement have vowed to hold nation-wide demonstrations on Tuesday 15 November against the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws which were introduced into Parliament this week.
04 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Tell the Senate what you think of WorkChoices
This week the Federal Government tabled its 687 page Work Choices legislation (and 565 page Explanatory memorandum) in the parliament.
04 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ILO trial of Howard Govt over employee rights violations resumes today
The trial of the Howard Government over its alleged breach of international obligations to protect the right of working Australians to freedom of association will resume today (Friday) by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.
04 November 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU and Virgin Blue to meet!
As you know, last week we wrote to Brett Godfrey requesting a meeting to discuss your EBA. We’ve now had a response and will be meeting with Bruce Highfield next week.
03 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Aviation employers begin attack on workers’ rights
Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon has announced it’s considering plans to:
- Outsource Qantas jobs overseas;
- Cut further jobs; and
- Use the proposed industrial law changes to reduce your pay and conditions.
02 November 2005 [ full story ]
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Government’s extreme and radical IR legislation confirms union campaign – Australian workers’ rights and conditions to be stripped away
New workplace legislation introduced into Federal Parliament today will strip away one hundred years of respect for workers’ rights, remove legal protection for many employment conditions and will set a new low for the future workplace conditions of Australian workers, the ACTU said today.
02 November 2005 [ full story ]
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October 2005 |
Welcome to our new ASU Members in Virgin Blue!
To all our new members at Virgin Blue – welcome to the Australian Services Union! We now have hundreds of members at Virgin Blue around Australia and numbers are growing daily.
28 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Local Councils in NSW oppose Howard’s IR laws
The Local Government Association of NSW annual conference meeting in Mudgee this week has opposed the Howard Government’s so-called WorkChoices laws and has resolved to tell the Prime Minister so. The ASU’s NSW local government Branch – the United Services Union – which represents thousands of council workers throughout the State, has campaigned strongly against the Federal Government’s extreme legislative changes.
27 October 2005 [ full story ]
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WTO Action Guide for Trade Unionists
A new guide for Trade Unionist interested in World Trade Debate has been published.
27 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Families worse off under individual contracts: PM is wrong, again
ACTU President Sharan Burrow will argue that families will be worse off under the Government’s IR reforms at a conference at Monash University today, presenting evidence that shows individual contracts (AWAs) lead to longer working hours and provide fewer family-friendly provisions.
24 October 2005 [ full story ]
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ITF News Online - October 2005
The news flashes from this article are: Unions set for court action in Sweden over sacked workers; International union cooperation leads to high wage increases for seafarers; Unions work to save Varig Airlines, Brazil;
Union officials arrested for so called anti freedom of association acts.
24 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Federal Government openly discriminates against LGBTI workers again!
The Federal Government has said that they will provide a payment of $4000 to workers to defend an unlawful dismissal.
21 October 2005 [ full story ]
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It’s Official – 96% vote in favour of Singapore EBA
The results are now in for the Singapore Airlines EBA, and we are extremely pleased to report that 96% of the staff who cast a vote in the ballot, voted yes to accept the ASU EBA.
21 October 2005 [ full story ]
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PM should do honourable thing and withdraw ‘deceitful’ IR ads: ACTU
The ACTU has called on the Federal Government to withdraw its industrial relations advertisements following claims reported in today’s Age newspaper by workers who appeared in the ads they were ‘lied to about the purpose of the filming and were not properly paid’.
20 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Urgent email campaign against the Howard Govt IR changes - Send a protest email today!
More than 7000 people so far have flooded the Australian Government with emails protesting their extreme new workplace laws, including almost 3000 emails from people overseas.
20 October 2005 [ full story ]
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What is going on with Qantas Business Travel?
Rumours about. Are we being sold? Is it a merger? Is nothing happening at all? We have to tell you, we don’t know either. But we ARE trying to find out.
18 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Workers give Hockey stick
Human Services Minister Joe Hockey is drawing fire from workers in a number of his own departments. The ASU supports the call from the CPSU for union members and supporters to send online protests to help resolve these disputes. The Federal government is targeting public servants and we must show them that this is not acceptable.
14 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Liberal Party, not taxpayer, must pay for Government’s illegal IR ads
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said today the Liberal Party, and not the Australian taxpayer, must pay for the Federal Government’s multi-million dollar industrial relations advertising blitz after senior Government Minister Tony Abbott admitted yesterday that the advertisements may be in breach of the Electoral Act.
13 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Senate IR Inquiry too short: why the rush to take away workers’ rights?
The Howard Government has agreed to a Senate Inquiry into the biggest workplace law changes in 100 years but it will be one of the shortest Inquiries on record says the ACTU.
13 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Pay Equity NOW! - September 2005 edition
Pay Equity NOW! is an electronic newsletter produced by Public Services International as part of its pay equity campaign. It provides information on pay equity concerns and achievements, including reports of union activities, information on collective bargaining and equality issues, job evaluation schemes, training and capacity-building initiatives, and details of new research and publications. It also monitors legislative developments and government and employer initiatives. It is produced every two months in English and Spanish.
12 October 2005 [ full story ]
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14 weeks paid maternity leave for Katherine Town Council employees
The Australian Services Union, the principal local government union that represents staff such as parking inspectors, indoor staff, clerical, administrative, regulatory officers and librarians employed at the Katherine Town Council, has agreed to a new 3 year enterprise collective agreement which will deliver employees no less than an 8.6% pay rise in the next two years.
12 October 2005 [ full story ]
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PM’s IR package confirms changes will leave workers worse off
The Government’s industrial relations plans are all about pushing workers on to individual contracts (AWAs) that can cut people’s take-home pay and remove conditions like overtime, penalty rates, redundancy pay, rostering protections and public holidays says the ACTU.
11 October 2005 [ full story ]
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160,000 Australian's say 'Don't let our work conditions be cut by individual contracts'
The ACTU has today presented a petition with around 160,000 signatures calling on Federal Parliament not to pass new workplace laws that allow workers to be pushed onto individual contracts that cut their take-home pay and remove important job conditions including overtime, meal breaks, penalty rates, redundancy pay, rostering protections and public holidays. Over 30,000 of these signatures were collected by ASU members throughout Australia.
11 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Don't believe the government says new union TV ad
A new union TV ad featuring the story of a government employee that is being forced to sign an individual contract has started screening and is now available for viewing on the Rights at Work website.
11 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Billy's AWA tells real story of government's IR laws
The Federal Government's own example of an Australian Workplace Agreement individual contract (AWA) that removes a worker's right to award entitlements that include public holidays, rest breaks, overtime, bonuses, annual leave loading, penalty rates & shift loadings tells the real story of the Government's industrial relations plans the ACTU said today.
11 October 2005 [ full story ]
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Sweet relief sent to Western Sahara refugees
Community minded businesses, unions, including the ASU, artists and schools have come together to generously contribute toward a sea container filled with goods for Western Sahara refugees in camps in Algeria. Coordinated by the Australian Western Sahara Association (AWSA), the project is intended to deliver more than foodstuffs but act as an ongoing resource for the camps.
03 October 2005 [ full story ]
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September 2005 |
Workplace changes a threat to Australian way of life, says ACTU
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has launched its second round of television advertising to highlight the impact the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Workplace Relations Act will have on working families.
27 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Student competition: how they found their first job
The ACTU Worksite for Schools website, of which the ASU is a sponsor, is currently running a competition for students - Explaining how they found their first job.
23 September 2005 [ full story ]
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It’s time to vote in favour of EBA at Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Staff should now have received the final version of the new EBA which has been circulated by the Company as part of the formal EBA voting process required under the Workplace Relations Act.
23 September 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU recommends Yes vote at Malaysia Airlines
After extensive consultation, ASU members at Malaysia Airlines have agreed to accept the Malaysia Airlines offer to settle our long running EBA Negotiations.
21 September 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU joins push to lift pay by 4% for workers on minimum wage
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will today lodge a 4% pay claim for Australia's lowest paid workers. If the claim is granted by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) it would lift the minimum wage for full time adult workers to above $500 a week for the first time.
21 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Palmerston Council workers call for end to individual contracts
Palmerston City Council workers in the Northern Territory say their individual work contracts are the worse thing about working at the council and want them scrapped in favour of a return to enterprise bargaining and a collective agreement made with all staff according to a survey conducted by the council.
16 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Coalition Minister calls for lower wages cost
Ian McFarlane Australia’s Industry Minister recently made public comment on the need to lower Australia’s labour costs to the same level as New Zealand. The NZ Public Service Association has expressed deep concern on the Ministers comments, and the direction that the Australian Government is taking the industrial relations system. They point out how NZ workers lost out. The letter is reproduced here for your information.
16 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Minister's arrogant abuse of process corrupts inquiry into employment rort
Brendan O'Connor, Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation and former ASU national official, has accused Kevin Andrews, the Minister for Workplace Relations, of displaying contempt for the Committee and for the parliamentary process after he set up a second closed enquiry into independent contractors with almost identical terms of reference to the first.
16 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Liberal Party, not working families, should pay for Government's political and misleading IR advertisements
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Secretary Greg Combet said today that the Liberal Party not the Australian tax payer should fund the Federal Government's up-coming $20 million plus advertising blitz aimed at promoting its radical industrial relations changes.
15 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Overseas Airlines Award classification structure finalised
After many years of consultation with ASU members and negotiation with the Overseas carriers, we have now successfully inserted a new skills based classification structure into the Overseas Airlines Award, the principal Award covering the operation of overseas carriers in Australia.
15 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Emergency Service Workers Take IR Concerns to Canberra
More than 100 nurses, fire-fighters, ambulance officers and other emergency service workers will hold a protest at Parliament House in Canberra today to voice their concerns over the Federal government’s proposed changes to Australia's workplace laws.
14 September 2005 [ full story ]
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New report supports ACTU call to ban individual contracts for young workers
The ACTU has today renewed its call for the Federal Government to stop employers from putting workers under the age of 20 onto individual contracts, following the results of a new report which shows young workers are being bullied, pressured & exploited - often being paid less than the Award.
08 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Women around the world come together
Monday the 17th October 2005 will be a great day for you and all of your women co-workers to come together for lunch.
07 September 2005 [ full story ]
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New Govt law unfairly shifts workplace power to employers
A proposed new Federal Government law introduced in Parliament this week (Tuesday) unfairly shifts power in the workplace to employers and will make it much harder for workers to bargain collectively to protect their pay and conditions says the ACTU.
07 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Redundancy process begins at Qantas Airports
Qantas have advised that all staff at Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Airports will receive a letter today detailing how to apply for redundancy following the decision by Singapore Airlines to no longer use Qantas as their ground handler in Australia.
06 September 2005 [ full story ]
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86% want IR laws to guarantee collective bargaining rights: new poll
New national polling released today shows that 86% of Australian employees believe that industrial relations laws should require employers to collectively bargain with their workers if that is what the majority of employees want.
05 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Air New Zealand EBA certified
The Air New Zealand EBA was approved by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 5 September 2005 after 82% of the staff who cast a vote in the ballot for the EBA voted yes.
05 September 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 36
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 36) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the realisation of assets for the first half of 2005, and the progress towards the resolution of pooling.
01 September 2005 [ full story ]
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August 2005 |
Sydney Water workers strike
ASU maintenance workers in Sydney Water have voted to strike for 48 hours over concerns about the contracting out of maintenance services.
31 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Tell Virgin Blue not to offshore Australian jobs
Australia's second largest domestic airline Virgin Blue has confirmed that it plans to offshore Australian call centre jobs when it changes its "overflow call centre" provider in June 2006 from the Melbourne based Stellar call centre to a call centre in Manila, The Philippines.
31 August 2005 [ full story ]
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It’s time to say YES we want a collective agreement!
You have told us very clearly that you wish to have a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between you, the employees (represented by the ASU) and NCR management. NCR management do not believe you.
30 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Low and middle income workers struggle to make ends meet
It is no wonder working families are struggling to keep their heads above water financially given new data which shows most working Australians have only had a real pay rise of 3.6% in the six years to 2004 — around a quarter of the pay rise for managers and executives.
29 August 2005 [ full story ]
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PSI World Bulletin
The latest PSI World Bulletin is out and covers events and news relating to the work of public service trade union staff and activists. This months bulletin contains a news article about how Australian Unions are campaigning against the Howard Governments Industrial relations legislation. Other stories include the link between poverty and quality public services.
29 August 2005 [ full story ]
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EDS staff vote "no" to substandard deal
EDS staff have today overwhelmingly voted against a substandard EBA deal proposed by the company following the recommendation of the ASU to send a message to the company that an EBA without a pay rise was not good enough.
29 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Thousands of messages flood Gate Gourmet
In a new high for the Labourstart website thousands of messages from around the world have been sent to the bosses at Gate Gourmet at Heathrow expressing outrage at their tactics.
24 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Big win for call centre workers
A Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), has handed down a decision which will make the Contract Call Centre Industry Award the minimum standard for call centre working conditions Australia wide.
23 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Victory for call centre employees
A Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, headed by the President, has handed down a decision which will make the Contract Call Centre Industry Award the minimum industry benchmark Australia wide for call centre workers.
22 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Award win on Local Government penalty rates
The United Services branch of the ASU has been successful in improving the penalty rates for workers covered by the Local Government (State) Award in NSW. This result represents a huge win for ASU members closing a loophole in the award that has seen the erosion of penalty rates over the last thirteen years.
22 August 2005 [ full story ]
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First round of redundancies at Qantas
Qantas has today announced plans to increase the number of E Check-In machines at airports from 38 to 118 in a process that is to be completed by early 2006.
22 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Quality Public Services - Campaign steps up
The Public Services International (PSI) has called for 10th September 2005 to be Quality Public Services Day!
22 August 2005 [ full story ]
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P & O Maritime Services Pty Ltd and Adsteam Agencies to form joint venture
P & O Maritime HR management have advised the ASU of a joint venture between P & O Maritime Services Pty Ltd trading division, Beaufort Shipping Agency Company and Adsteam Agency Pty Ltd to be known as Oceania Maritime Services Pty Ltd.
22 August 2005 [ full story ]
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The latest position at Regional Express
Rex Airlines management and your Enterprise Negotiating Team Representatives met with management on Thursday 18 August 2005 to discuss how negotiations will progress.
19 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Ban Individual Contracts for under 20s says ACTU
Australian employers should be banned from pushing young workers on to individual contracts Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Secretary Greg Combet said today.
19 August 2005 [ full story ]
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SA government IT outsourcer falls short on employee conditions
Electronic Data Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd, (EDS), is failing its employees under the new enterprise agreement scheduled to be balloted in mid August. This is the view of Andy Dennard, SA Branch Secretary of the Australian Services Union.
18 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Gate Gourmet workers at Heathrow need your help
International union solidarity group Labourstart have launched an international appeal for solidarity to assist the Gate Gourmet workers at Heathrow Airport who were sacked last week, in an extraordinary display of corporate bullying. Gate Gourmet which provides British Airways and Qantas with its in-flight meals at Heathrow Airport sacked some 800 workers - using a megaphone.
17 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Call Centre Award applies across Victoria
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has declared the Contract Call Centre Industry Award apply across Victoria. The award will also apply as the safety net for labour hire providers in the industry.
16 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Youth theatre for fair wages
A group of young people from an employment program at the Interyouth Centre in Penrith protested against the Liberal parties Industrial Relations changes on Sunday 14th August. The youth group performed a street theatre play along High Street which outlined their views about the effects of the industrial relations changes on young people.
15 August 2005 [ full story ]
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An offer to recommend at Malaysia Airlines
After almost a year of negotiations at Malaysia Airlines, your ASU negotiating team and your ASU delegates around the country now believe that we have an offer from the Company that we can recommend to members.
15 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Workers meet parliamentarians in Canberra over federal govt workplace changes
ACTU President Sharan Burrow will join 'Workplace Ambassadors' from around Australia in Canberra today (Monday) in meeting parliamentarians to voice their concerns about the Federal Government's workplace changes and to present parliamentarians with a booklet detailing actual workers' experiences under the Howard Govt's industrial relations laws.
15 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Why have we said no and what do you need to do now?
Since we last reported, your Rex Enterprise Negotiating team have continued to work on what are the best options for all Rex employees in our area.
12 August 2005 [ full story ]
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ACTU calls for protection for young workers against individual contracts
The Secretary of the ACTU, Greg Combet today called on the Prime Minister to ensure young workers are protected against exploitation by employers using individual contracts (AWAs).
12 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Anne McEwen's first speech to the Senate
Anne McEwen was elected to the Senate representing South Australia and the Australian Labor Party at the last federal election. Prior to her election she was the Vice President of the ASU and Secretary of our South Australian & Northern Territory Branch.
11 August 2005 [ full story ]
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SA Court Case shows how AWA’s exploit young workers and cut minimum pay
A South Australian judge has highlighted the ‘manifest disadvantage’ to a 15 year old employee of the Federal Government’s individual contracts (AWAs). The AWA paid the young woman 25% less than her minimum award entitlement.
11 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Local Government members in the recreation industry
The ASU represents the industrial interests of local government and recreation industry staff, from beach inspectors to swimming pool attendants and recreation centre staff, and speaks up for the value these employees provide to the community.
10 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Negotiations continue with ARTC
The ASU is continuing negotiations with Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to achieve a new EBA. The latest round of negotiations have seen a change in the attitude of ARTC, with the most productive meeting yet.
08 August 2005 [ full story ]
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NSW small local governments face industrial relations threat
The proposed Industrial Relations legislation could prove to be a body blow for small or remote local governments across Australia. These local governments - which are already struggling - face a massive challenge from the proposed new laws.
08 August 2005 [ full story ]
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NSW Government supports ASU Campaign
Outgoing NSW Premier Bob Carr has come on board in supporting the ASU’s campaign to maintain the state industrial relations system for workers in NSW.
08 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Unions win up to 2 years parental leave
Unions have won new rights for workers that include up to 2 years of unpaid parental leave after the birth of a child and the right to request part time work.
08 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Negotiations continue at Rex, but do they really?
Your Rex Enterprise Negotiating Team met with management on Thursday 28 July and Thursday 3 August 2005.
05 August 2005 [ full story ]
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More talks at Malaysia Airlines
ASU Negotiators last met with Malaysia Airlines management on 7 July 2005 in a further effort to try and negotiate a new EBA for ASU members. As previously advised, the ASU had tabled a draft EBA document to the Company on 19 May 2005, and we had expected a response from management at this meeting.
03 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Important update on the EDS "People Agreement" 2005
Attached below is a copy of the EDS People Agreement 2005 as proposed by management, with annotations in red to explain what the ASU’s key concerns are in relation to it. This is provided to all EDS employees in order to assist their decision when they cast their ballot.
03 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Some real facts on unfair dismissal
Are you confused about what the Federal government is saying about their proposals on the unfair dismissal laws? You are not alone - check out the latest fact sheet from the ACTU which contains some real facts on what the unfair dismissal changes will mean to working families.
03 August 2005 [ full story ]
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The last weekend
Come and enjoy your right to spend time with your family before John Howard takes it away - with a free family day out organised by Unions NSW. ASU Branches in NSW are participating and invite all members and their families to attend.
03 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Federal Government’s industrial reforms – It just keeps getting worse
Over the past few weeks, confusion has reigned over whether Federal Awards will be stripped back to reflect the Federal Government’s proposed new Fair Pay and Conditions Standard. On 26 May 2005 the Prime Minister John Howard announced amongst other things a new Fair Pay and Conditions Standard to replace the current No Disadvantage Test that collective agreements (EBA’s) and individual contracts (AWA’s) are tested against.
01 August 2005 [ full story ]
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Your super is too important not to get advice
Many ASU members at Qantas have received an offer from Qantas to transfer their superannuation in Division 6 of the Qantas Fund from other divisions. This is an important decision to make and requires careful consideration and above all independent advice.
01 August 2005 [ full story ]
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July 2005 |
International unions condemn Howard Government IR plans
The Union Network International [UNI], to which the ASU is affiliated, has written to the Australian Prime Minister expressing its alarm at the Howard Government’s drastic changes to workplace laws. UNI General Secretary Phillip Jennings has told the Prime Minister that the proposed changes “will place Australia in further breach of fundamental labour standards” and “would leave Australia at the bottom of OECD countries with respect to protection of basic workers’ rights”.
29 July 2005 [ full story ]
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82% vote for Air New Zealand EBA
The ballot of Air New Zealand staff has now been counted, and we are pleased to report that 82% of staff who cast a vote in the ballot voted YES to accept the ASU EBA.
29 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Changes to workplace laws
On July 1 John Howard’s government took control of the senate and got the power to pass whatever laws they like. The federal government wants to change the rules that protect workers’ jobs, pay and conditions. Young workers are more likely to be in casual and low-paid jobs and less likely to have the experience and confidence to negotiate better pay and working conditions with their employer.
25 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia agreement certified
The Mission Australia Enterprise Agreement 2005 has been certified in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The agreement states that after certification of the agreement you will receive your 4% wage increase on the first pay period after the certification.
22 July 2005 [ full story ]
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IR changes to hit local government
The Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations changes will impact severely on employees of local government, ASU National Secretary Paul Slape says. In an article, prepared for publication in media circulating in Local Government, Paul describes what these impacts will be.
21 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Living wage increases in road transport industry award
The ASU has won increases in wage rates in the Clerks (Road Transport Industry) Award 2002 to take account of the 2005 Living Wage Case. These changes take effect for most employers from 6th July 2005, and for some Victorian employers from 1st August 2005.
21 July 2005 [ full story ]
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$90 a week pay rise for Darwin City Council workers
The Australian Services Union which represents around 180 staff including parking inspectors, indoor staff, clerical, administrative , regulatory officers and librarians employed by the Darwin City Council this week accepted in principle to a new 3 year enterprise agreement which will deliver them no less than a $90 a week pay rise in the next two years.
20 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Company responds on our claims at Rex
The Rex enterprise bargaining negotiations continue with a variety of clauses agreed in principle and others not agreed to. Please refer to the related documents section at the bottom of this news item.
19 July 2005 [ full story ]
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What are you really worth?
All Rex employees will by now, have received information about the wage offer that has been placed on the negotiating table by Rex management. After careful consideration of the proposal we have provided below an outline of the affects of this proposal over the life of the new agreement.
19 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Minimum wage increase in Overseas Airlines award
As of 5 July 2005 the Overseas Airlines (Interim) Award 1999 has been varied by the ASU to take account of the 2005 Living Wage case. Given the Federal Government’s proposed changes to industrial relations laws, this may well be the last such change to this award.
15 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Solidarity delivers a better deal at Singapore
Sticking together has paid off for staff at Singapore Airlines after the company representatives increased and improved their EBA offer at our meeting on 4th July 2005.
11 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Condolences from the ASU
The ASU extends its deepest sympathies to those hurt or affected by the tragic incidents in London, including union members who have family and friends living or holidaying in London.
11 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Concerns for the price of electricity
The federal government has asked the states to hand over their regulation of electricity distribution networks and retail pricing functions, as part of their continued push to take over full regulation of the industry.
07 July 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin, June 2005
The latest joint ASU-PSI utilities bulletin, June edition, has now been circulated to the regular industry delegates and activists.
06 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Qantas reverses decision on Newcastle Airport redundancies
ASU members working for Eastern Australia Airlines at Newcastle airport are no longer facing redundancy after senior Qantas management reviewed and changed a Jetstar decision to contract out airport check-in outside the Qantas Group. Fourteen Newcastle based check-in staff were facing redundancy had the decision of Jetstar to contract out their work continued.
04 July 2005 [ full story ]
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No time for games: Unions reach out to 300,000 AFL spectators this weekend
Around 300,000 spectators attending AFL football matches across Australia this weekend will be given information about how Federal Government workplace reforms will mean less time for family life and less time for sport on weekends.
01 July 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 35
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 35) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the timing and amount of future dividends to employees.
01 July 2005 [ full story ]
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June 2005 |
Your Rights at Work - Worth Rallying For!
Thursday 30 June is Rally Day when tens of thousands of Australians will get together to tell Prime Minister John Howard to think again before implementing new laws that will undermine the rights of working people and bring down family living standards.
30 June 2005 [ full story ]
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History being made and never to be repeated!
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission will hear tomorrow, Wednesday 29 June 2005 the very last ‘fair’ increase to the minimum wage rates in many social and community services (SACS) industry awards.
29 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Info Tech / Business Equipment
This week sees the official start of the campaign to educate members, inform the public and let the government know that you are not happy about the changes to the federal industrial legislation.
29 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Is it groundhog day at Singapore Airlines?
That’s how the Singapore Airlines Employee Negotiating Team initially felt when we met with the company on 22nd June 2005 and told them that 70.8% of staff had rejected the company’s latest 2 year deal for our EBA.
28 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Foreign hands off Australian water!
The Australian government has recently told international companies and the global trade organisation not to come looking for Australian water under trade agreements. The stance taken by the government not to allow water that is used for human consumption, to be part of any global trade agreement is a great start.
28 June 2005 [ full story ]
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A deal to recommend at Menzies
The Employee Negotiating Team at Menzies Aviation have been regularly meeting with the Company representatives since our last bulletin on 26 May 2005. We last met on Tuesday 21 June 2005.
27 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Your Rights at Work - National Campaign Week, 27 June to 1 July 2005
ASU members across the country will this week participate in a range of activities to highlight the impact of the proposed Federal Government changes to industrial relations laws on Australian working people and their families.
27 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Private Public Partnerships & the ASU
In recent years the ASU has taken a leadership role to inform unions, political parties, the community and members of the range of issues and concerns surrounding the current trend and use of private public partnerships (PPPs).
27 June 2005 [ full story ]
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A message to airline passengers from aviation workers
Today members of aviation unions including the ASU are meeting at airports around the country to discuss the Howard Governments proposed changes to industrial relations laws.
27 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Important Information about Joint Aviation Unions Meeting - 27 June 2005
As you may be aware the ACTU and the aviation unions have called information meetings at airports around Australia on Monday 27 June.
24 June 2005 [ full story ]
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What are you wearing to the National Week of Action events?
The union movement is organising a National Week of Action in support of our campaign “Your Rights at Work” against Howard’s industrial relations changes. We encourage all members and, indeed, all workers to consider participating in any of the broad range of events planned. If you want to look the part, the ASU National Office is making campaign t-shirts available through the ASUshop – but if you want a t-shirt, make sure you order today to ensure we can deliver to you before events begin next week.
22 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Government IR proposals fail independent report card
Seventeen of Australia’s leading academic researchers in industrial relations and labour market issues, employed in eight Australian universities have given the Federal government's proposed changes to Australia’s industrial relations laws a big "F" for fail in the first independent analysis of the proposed changes on the real labour market issues facing Australia.
22 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia agreement signed today
The Mission Australia Enterprise Agreement 2005 is being signed today by the ASU following the successful conclusion to all voting procedures.
20 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Rights at Work advertising campaign launched
On Sunday 19 June 2005, the ACTU and Australian unions launched the first phase of an $8 million advertising campaign designed to sheet home the human costs of the Howard Government's industrial relations changes.
20 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Joint airport information meetings
Unions representing workers in the aviation industry are joining forces to protect union members. Unions and the ACTU are demanding that employers agree to respect current industrial rights and conditions of employment.
17 June 2005 [ full story ]
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2005 Minimum Wage increases begin to flow
The first ASU award to be changed as a result of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's 2005 "Minimum Wage" decision of June 7 was varied today. Each year the ACTU, supported by all unions, campaigns for an increase in award wages to protect the level of the income 'safety net' which applies to workers who rely solely on awards for their pay and conditions.
16 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Understanding the ASU position on airport security
ASU members in the Airline Industry will no doubt have heard that the Federal Government last week announced increased security measures for all Australian airports. There is very little detailed information currently available about the Federal Government’s plans but from various media reports it is clear that staff at all airports will be subject to increased security checks including criminal checks.
15 June 2005 [ full story ]
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On June 15 a bus full of women...
On June 15 a bus full of women will leave from the Victorian Trades Hall for Dandenong to join in solidarity with Kemalex workers. These workers are mainly women and have been on strike for five weeks, fighting to keep an EBA rather than be forced onto an independent contractor arrangement.
10 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Negotiations continue at REX
The Regional Express Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) met with the management representatives in Sydney on Thursday 2 June 2005. The negotiations focussed on the ASU response to the REX technical changes to the agreement, further details on the wage offer and 3 claims from REX.
09 June 2005 [ full story ]
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John Howard's changes - An attack on our community
The new Workplace Relations laws proposed by John Howard's government are an attack on Australian communities. The new propsed laws will mean pay cuts for families already struggling financially, longer hours and work on weekend and nights - often for no extra pay.
09 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Visit the ASUshop, it’s no sweat!
The ASUshop retail website has a range of new products for ASU members. The ASUshop website was set up to enable members to access ASU merchandise, for example, shirts, caps, cups and badges, regardless of their physical location in Australia. In addition to these items, the ASUshop carries a range of social justice and union related books. “The ASUshop has been receiving great feedback and support from members,” said Craig Burgess, the manager of the website. “I encourage everyone to have a surf and check out our great products!”
09 June 2005 [ full story ]
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$17 national wage increase - The last for Australian workers?
Early today the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) handed down what is likely to be its last national wage case decision granting Australia's award workers $17 per week.
07 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Former Ansett employees required for study
The ASU has been contacted by students studying for a Master of Arts in Communications at the University of Technology. These students are doing research into the communications management of a major media event. They have chosen to analyse the ASU’s communications with our members after the collapse of Ansett for their project.
07 June 2005 [ full story ]
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Putting the fight against HIV/AIDS firmly on the trade union agenda
A global unions programme has been launched to make the fight against HIV and AIDS a central issue for trade unions. Representatives of the global unions, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the International Labour Organization (ILO) programme on HIV/AIDS and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) discussed the prospects of the programme at a meeting on 18 May in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was hosted by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).
06 June 2005 [ full story ]
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ACTU Fact File for LGBTI community
GLAM National Convenor Jo Justo has been working with the ACTU in order to conduct a campaign of awareness-raising for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community on the issues facing us all as a result of the impending changes to the industrial relations landscape.
06 June 2005 [ full story ]
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NT State election called for June 18 2005
This week the first ever woman and Labor NT Chief Minister, Clare Martin, called for the NT election to be held on June 18. The Martin NT Labor Government was elected for it’s first term 4 years ago in August 2001 after 27 years of Country Liberal Party (CLP) Governments.
03 June 2005 [ full story ]
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GLAM Plans for 2005/2006
GLAM contacts in Branch offices around the country got together via teleconference to discuss plans for GLAM in 2005/2006 and methods of activating our membership.
03 June 2005 [ full story ]
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New Leadership Team in SA/NT Branch
The Branch Council has appointed Andy Dennard as Branch Secretary of the ASU, replacing Anne McEwen who has resigned to take up a position as an ALP Senator in the Federal Parliament. Branch Council also appointed Katrine Hildyard as Assistant Secretary. Andy and Katrine have been appointed to their positions until the next Union elections are held in 2007 and both will seek re-election at those elections.
01 June 2005 [ full story ]
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May 2005 |
Local Government skills shortages
The ASU has raised concerns about the skills shortages facing Local Government throughout Australia. Skills shortages are across a range of classifications throughout the industry.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Part timers: are you being ripped off on your sick leave?
As a part timer at Qantas Telesales, you are entitled to “pro rata” conditions of a full time employee. This means that you get a proportionate rate of sick leave, annual leave, carers leave and so on. So, if you work 24 hours a week you are entitled to approx 72 hours per year of sick leave.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Farewell to Anne McEwen
ASU National Vice President and SA/NT Branch Secretary Anne McEwen has been elected to represent South Australia as an ALP Senator in the Federal Parliament. Anne takes up her job as Senator on 1 July 2005 and has resigned as Branch Secretary.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Child Care support programs
The Federal Government has announced dramatic changes to the funding arrangements of special needs workers. The program has been administered by Local Government however following the introduction of the new arrangements, private organisations will be encouraged to tender for this work. This change has implications for special needs workers currently employed at Councils.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Get involved in the fight to save workplace rights
The next national wage case decision is due within weeks. Under John Howard’s new workplace laws it will be the last time that the independent Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) will make a national wage case decision. The Government is taking this power away from the AIRC.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Are you losing your hearing?
Acoustic Shock occurs when a loud and unexpected sound – a shriek or spike – comes down the line and into the call centre worker’s headset. These sounds are called acoustic shocks, audio shocks, acoustic shrieks, or high-pitched tones. The exact source of an individual acoustic shock is usually unknown, but various sources are possible, such as alarm signals, signalling tones, or feedback oscillation.
31 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 34
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 34) is now available on this website. Following is an update on further progress related to the Ansett administrations.
27 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Menzies makes more offers
Since our last bulletin your National Negotiating Team met with Menzies management on 18th and 25th May 2005. At the first meeting the Company could only talk about the possible problems arising from the Emirates schedule changes but at our second meeting they finally made an offer to settle our long running EBA negotiations.
26 May 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU condemns Howard attack on workers
The Australian Services Union has condemned the changes to Australia’s industrial relations laws announced by the Prime Minister today. ASU National Secretary Paul Slape says that the proposed laws mean that the Government will gut the Australian Industrial Relations Commission which has served workers and the wider Australian community well for 100 years.
26 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Company responds on our claims at Regional Express
The Rex Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) met with the management representatives in Sydney on 19th May 2005. At this meeting the management’s representatives made some response to our claims and this is summarised in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this news item.
26 May 2005 [ full story ]
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National Day of Healing: Everyone's responsibility
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, today urged Indigenous Australians and all communities within non-Indigenous Australia to support the many National Day of Healing events being held around the nation to show their ongoing support for reconciliation.
25 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Canon Territory test
You need to take the following test to ensure that you and your employer have met all the requirements for consultation on your territory.
Check your responses against the answers below (no cheating) and if your tick 1 or more no boxes you need to speak to your ASU Delegate or Organiser immediately.
25 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Royal P&O Nedlloyd respond on take over by AP Moller-Maersk
The ASU has written to P & O Nedlloyd asking for information regarding the potential take over by A P Moller-Maersk.
As a result of members in Brisbane advising their Organiser that there had been meetings with management over a take over bid by A.P. Moller Maersk, we have written seeking conformation of the situation.
25 May 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU meets Miss Australia
Lucio Matarazzo, Organiser for the SA/NT Branch had the opportunity to explain the benefits of belonging to the union to Miss Australia Michelle Guy at a function in Darwin on 29 April 2005.
24 May 2005 [ full story ]
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PSI magazine is now available on the ASU web
The Public Services International (PSI) magazine is now available electronically.
19 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Important information on OHS at Canon
The ASU has sought clarification from Canon on the terms of your insurance coverage for the purposes of Occupational Health and Safety or as it is known in some States, Workplace Health and Safety.
18 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Slow progress on Rex EBA
Since our last bulletin the Rex Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) have met with the management representatives again. The meeting was held on 28th April 2005.
17 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Some significant gains at Singapore Airlines
The ENT/ASU met with Singapore Airlines management on Thursday 12 May 2005 to continue negotiations with management over your wages and conditions. We have gained some important improvements to your conditions.
17 May 2005 [ full story ]
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It’s time to take us seriously Menzies
Your National Negotiating team met with Menzies management on 13 May, 2005 expecting that the Company would be in a position to negotiate a final deal for our EBA – we were disappointed with the response we received. While there was some progress the Company representatives were not prepared to comprehensively deal with our negotiations.
17 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Important meeting held with Malaysia Airlines
On Thursday 12 May 2005 Assistant National Secretary Linda White met with MAS Regional Vice President Mr Salleh and three advisers to discuss how the deadlock in the Malaysia Airlines EBA could be broken, and how we could achieve the best deal possible for all concerned.
16 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Canon report back
The National Consultative Committee (NCC) met yesterday, 11 May 2005 to discuss a range of issues for technicians. National Industrial Officer Jo Justo attended the meeting via teleconference.
12 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Jetstar competition winner
The winner of the ASU Working to Live competition for ASU members at Jetstar Airways is Martin Zerafa who works at Melbourne Airport.
11 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Voting on the Mission Australia agreement to begin
Mission Australia is making your enterprise agreement ready from 10 May 2005 for you to read for fourteen days before voting commences.
11 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Union deals are better deals
Many union members at Thai Airways International have contacted us during your negotiations for a new Enterprise Agreement. In the past 2 years the ASU has worked with our members on their Enterprise Agreements at Qantas Airways, Garuda, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Rex, Jetstar, United Airlines, Eastern Australia Airlines, Australian Airlines, South Africa Airlines, KLM and Luthansa to name a few.
09 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Your rights at work - worth fighting for
Do you feel you don't know enough about what the Federal Government is planning to do when they take control of the Senate on 1 July 2005?
05 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 33
At the end of March 2005 the Ansett Administrators released their fifth report to creditors and their latest bulletin to former employees. These documents, are now available on the ASU website.
04 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Delegates confirm collective bargaining plans at NCR
Delegates and Organisers met via teleconference on Wednesday 26 April 2005 to discuss plans to commence bargaining our collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with NCR. As you would all be aware there has been a range of activities across NCR over the last few months, making preparations for bargaining to commence. The time has arrived for us to gather around the negotiating table and present our claims to NCR.
03 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Dispute meeting held with Canon
ASU Delegate Dwayne Quigg and ASU Industrial Officer, Jo Justo met on the 26th April 2005 with representatives of Canon management to raise our issues in dispute. The meeting was held with Grant Jorey and Jacqui O’Leary with Dwayne on video link from Brisbane.
02 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Commission refuses to certify Malaysia Airlines EBA
ASU representatives appeared in the Industrial Relations Commission on Friday, 29 April 2005 challenging the certification of the Malaysia Airlines Certified Agreement on the basis that a valid majority of eligible employees did not vote in favour of the EBA in the recent ballot conducted by the company.
02 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Some progress made at Singapore Airlines EBA negotiations
The Singapore Airlines ENT/ASU met again with the management team on Thursday, 28 April 2005. Not only did we have some discussions on our issues but when we suggested another range of dates for meetings to management, we secured regular negotiation dates from now until 17 June 2005.
02 May 2005 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia presents final offer
Mission Australia have presented a final offer for your enterprise agreement. This document is being finalised in order to present it to all employees to commence the voting process.
02 May 2005 [ full story ]
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April 2005 |
ASU calls for more child care services
The ASU has supported the call by ACTU president Sharan Burrow for the Federal Government to invest more money in the child care industry, in particular the ASU supports more funding for communities through local government run child care services.
28 April 2005 [ full story ]
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ARTC negotiations continue
The ASU and combined Railway unions have meet with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for a third occasion to continue negotiations towards the new EBA.
28 April 2005 [ full story ]
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It’s official Jetstar EBA certified
On 26 April 2005 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission certified (approved) the Jetstar/ASU Agreement 2005, which was endorsed by staff in March 2005.
28 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Singapore Airlines negotiations finally begin
The ENT/ASU met with the Management at the JCC forum yesterday. The ENT & ASU were keen to begin the real task of negotiating soon after the overwhelmingly No vote from staff.
22 April 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU & Canon to meet over “Start of Day Policy”
Delegates around Australia have been attempting to resolve issues with the new Start of Day Policy. ASU members in Western Australia have had verbal and written correspondence with their local managers in an attempt to resolve a number of issues with the new policy.
22 April 2005 [ full story ]
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A resounding “NO” vote at Singapore Airlines
Over the last ten days 261 Singapore Airlines employees voted in the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement ballot. Alan Blair management rep, Kathy Sullivan Sydney Airport ENT rep, and Dom Rowe ASU representative observed the counting of votes on Friday 15 April at 11 am.
18 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia negotiations nearing completion!
The ASU, ALHMWU and the ECC met yesterday, 13 April 2005 to continue negotiations for your certified agreement with Mission Australia (MA).
15 April 2005 [ full story ]
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And the winners are…
The winners of the ASU’s Working to Live competition in Qantas, Eastern Australian Airlines and Sunstate are:
14 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Why State Governments must build Infrastructure
The ASU has welcomed the broader community and business debate, on our ageing infrastructure, that now sees support for our politicians to make sure more is spent on Australia’s ageing infrastructure of water, energy (electricity/gas) and railways.
12 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Important initial milestones reached over ARTC EBA
On 18 March 2005 the Unions met with Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to further negotiate a new enterprise agreement covering ARTC direct employees. Below is a summary of the issues discussed.
12 April 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU Tasmanian energy seminar
In March 2005 the ASU conducted a seminar for key delegates and the Branch Organisers in the Tasmanian energy industry. The purpose of the seminar was to brief the delegates and reps on the critical changes taking place in the Australian electricity industry and build the Unions arguments for increases in salary, conditions and recognition for Tasmanian energy workers.
12 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Info Tech latest general bulletin
Inside the latest issue of Info Tech/Business Equipment bulletin you can find information on: getting ready at NCR for the commencement of bargaining, when the next Canon NCC will meet, OH & S news and information on independent contracts – the good, the bad and the ugly.
12 April 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU challenge Malaysia EBA vote
After careful examination of the information to hand the ASU has decided to challenge any certification of the Malaysia Airlines Certified Agreement on the basis that a valid majority of employees did not vote in favour of the EBA in the recent ballot conducted by the Company.
12 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Bargaining begins at Mission Australia
Negotiations have commenced for your new agreement to replace the current Mission Australia Certified Agreement which nominally expired on the 27 March 2005.
08 April 2005 [ full story ]
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Singapore ENT recommend a “NO” vote for EBA
Both the Employee Negotiating Team and the ASU representatives at Singapore Airlines are recommending a “NO” vote to the staff in the EBA ballot which opens on Monday 4 April 2005. The Australian Services Union does not endorse the Agreement that has been circulated and is strongly advising ASU members at Singapore Airlines to reject this EBA.
04 April 2005 [ full story ]
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March 2005 |
Independent contracts – no thanks!
The ASU would like to know about your experience of working either as an independent contractor or as a labor hire worker. Why is this?
24 March 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU Calls for more Employment in the Electricity and Water (Utility) Industry and more Skills Recognition
The ASU has addressed a National Electricity Industry Conference “Recruitment Training and Retention in the Power Sector”, calling for training and employment diversification in the Industry.
24 March 2005 [ full story ]
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“My restaurant rules!” breaks the rules on wages
The effect of the Howard Government’s promotion of individual contracts rather than award wages and conditions has been starkly shown on the popular Channel 7 program “My restaurant rules” this week.
24 March 2005 [ full story ]
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ENT recommend a “NO” vote
After careful consideration of the best course of action for the staff the Singapore Airlines Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) are recommending that employees vote “NO” to the EBA which is currently circulating and which is to be formally voted on from 4 April to 15 April 2005.
23 March 2005 [ full story ]
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81% Vote for Jetstar EBA
The Jetstar EBA ballot has now been counted and we can report that 81% of staff who cast a vote in the ballot voted YES to the ASU Agreement.
23 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Understanding Air New Zealand’s Final EBA Offer
The Air New Zealand Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) met with the Company again on 17 March 2005 and we have now received the Company’s final offer in settlement of our EBA claims.
23 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Our claim has been served at REX
Your REX Employee Negotiating Team (ENT) met with the management reps on 16 March 2005 and the major highlight was the presenting of our claim for next REX Airline Services Collective Agreement (EBA)
18 March 2005 [ full story ]
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All systems go at Sunstate
On 10 March 2005 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved the Sunstate Airlines – ASU EBA 2004. This follows a vote in favour of the EBA in February 2005.
11 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Eastern EBA Certified
On 10 March 2005, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved the Eastern Australia Airlines Group 1 EBA which was voted on by staff in February 2005.
11 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Act now! Tenix must respect workers rights
Australian company, Tenix, is refusing to negotiate with staff in Melbourne for a collective agreement. Tenix is a major defence and infringement enforcement contractor with strong ties to governments in Australia and New Zealand.
10 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Malaysia Airlines Ballot Raises More Questions
The Malaysia Airlines EBA ballot was counted on March 07, 2005 and by the slimmest of margins was approved by the staff who voted in the ballot.
10 March 2005 [ full story ]
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REX Negotiations begin
On March 01, 2005 the Employee Negotiation Team members met for the first time in Sydney to commence the process of negotiating the next REX Airline Services Collective Agreement (EBA). ASU representatives, Linda White – Assistant National Secretary, Melbourne, and Steve Bower from our NSW USU Branch were present together with the elected employee representatives. The Company was represented by Maree Penglis, Ann Bartimole and Matt Stacey.
09 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Don’t Blame the ENT for Vote at Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines management would have you believe that it is the ENT’s fault that Option A is going to vote. This is incorrect. Your ENT honestly told the company the results of our vote and the fact that the majority of staff wanted neither of the company’s imposed options. We told the company that they could put it out to vote if they wanted to, as they did not believe us, but we also said that we did not recommend this – we thought the best option was to negotiate a deal.
08 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Vote Yes to Jetstar EBA
That is the message from your National Negotiating team at Jetstar as ballot papers for the vote are mailed to home addresses. The formal ballot opens on Thursday 3 March 2005 and closes at noon on Wednesday 16 March 2005.
03 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Some progress on Air NZ EBA
A second meeting was held with Air New Zealand on Monday, 28 February 2005 to further discuss the settlement for our EBA for Australian based staff.
In this meeting we provided various information and draft clauses as promised including proposals on Salary Sacrifice, rostering committees, calculation of allowances and possible new allowance rates and superannuation choice. We also provided the company with details of comparative maximum redundancy payouts from other airlines, which showed that Air New Zealand is at the bottom of the maximum payments table.
02 March 2005 [ full story ]
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Proposed EBA provides very few guarantees for staff at Malaysia Airlines
Voting is under way in your enterprise agreement. Some members have told their Union that they are confused by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) position and want clarification from the ASU.
02 March 2005 [ full story ]
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February 2005 |
Singapore Airlines management walks away from EBA negotiations
In a surprising and disappointing move Singapore Airlines management advised the Employee negotiating team ( ENT) at yesterday’s meeting that they no longer wanted to negotiate with us and they now wanted to put their Option A proposal in a formal EBA document to be put to staff for a binding vote under the Workplace Relations Act. The company proposes to do this in the next couple of weeks.
28 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Traffic Fines Slow-down As Workers Reject Individual Contracts
The processing of speeding fines and traffic infringements for Victorian motorists will cease today (Monday 28th February) as 120 administration workers at Tenix Solutions take protest action over their right to choose to be covered by a collective enterprise agreement in their workplace.
28 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Jetstar – Low cost but at what cost?
The results of the ASU’s Zero Air Rage survey of Jetstar employed airport customer service agents (CSAs) is now available and reveals that the experience of the type and frequency of rage exhibited by Jetstar passengers to CSAs is worse than for other CSAs working at Australian airports.
21 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Welcome to ASU Victorian state news
In weeks to come we hope this area will act as a digest for ASU Victorian news. Our two Victorian Branches also have their own websites, so remember to check them out for other information.
18 February 2005 [ full story ]
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TSF Agreement Certified - At last!
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission certified the TSF agreement yesterday 17 February 2004. Delays in certification of the agreement were caused by a back log of matters in the AIRC. Originally the AIRC had scheduled the certification process for 28 February however the ASU and TSF intervened to make particular requests that the agreement be certified earlier.
18 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Welcome to ASU Western Australian state news
In weeks to come we hope this area will act as a digest for ASU Western Australian news. Our WA Branch also has their own website, so remember to check it out for other information.
18 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Eastern Australia EBA approved by staff
The Eastern Australian Airlines EBA was counted today and 86.42% of the staff who voted in the ballot have approved the terms of the Agreement negotiated by the ASU negotiating team.
16 February 2005 [ full story ]
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88% vote for Sunstate Airlines EBA
The Sunstate Airlines staff have today approved their 2004 EBA with 88.46% of staff who voted in the ballot casting a Yes vote for the ASU Agreement.
16 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Important reasons to vote no to Malaysia Airlines EBA
Last week, Malaysia Airlines circulated an EBA to staff for vote from 25 February 2005. Although the ASU has been made a party to this EBA, the ASU does not endorse the EBA. No-one from the ASU or your negotiating team saw this document before it was sent out.
16 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Union concerns need to be accommodated at Malaysia Airlines
In line with ASU members resolutions about how our EBA negotiations should continue, your Union made application to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to seek the assistance of the Commission to facilitate the making of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Enterprise Agreement.
14 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Air New Zealand EBA negotiations begin
The Air New Zealand Employee Negotiating team met with company representatives in Sydney on Thursday, 10 February 2005 to start discussions for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for the company’s Australian based staff. The current EBA expired on 31 December 2004.
14 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Jetstar EBA for vote
Jetstar staff should receive a copy of the EBA negotiated by your negotiating team in the mail this week ahead of the formal ballot process which will commence on 1 March 2005.
14 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Qantas EBA back-pay on the way
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission today certified the ASU’s EBA 7 with Qantas which was approved after a vote of staff last week. Qantas has advised that back-pay under the EBA to 1 July 2004 will be paid on the pay day scheduled for 22 February 2005. All salaries increased by 3% from 1 July 2004.
10 February 2005 [ full story ]
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EBA negotiations kick off at Singapore Airlines
Your Employee Negotiating Team met on 3 February 2005 with the company representatives at the Singapore Airlines JCC to start discussions for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) to replace the current EBA which expires on 4 March 2005.
08 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Rebuilding campaign has kicked off
Australian Unions in the electricity & water industries have kicked off their campaign to encourage public sector electricity and water companies to help rebuild the infrastructure of countries affected by the Asian tsunami. The campaign was launched by the Union movement at a meeting in Sydney on the 20th January 2005.
08 February 2005 [ full story ]
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Staff vote for Qantas EBA 7
The votes in the ASU’s Qantas EBA 7 were counted today and an overwhelming 80.17% of those who cast a valid vote, voted yes to approving the EBA for over 10,000 employees in ASU areas in Qantas, Qantas Holidays, QFIT Levels 1-10 and QFCL.
03 February 2005 [ full story ]
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A new offer but little change
Your Malaysia Airlines EBA negotiating team of Jo Gellel from Brisbane, Naomi Arrowsmith and Dom Rowe from the ASU NSW Services Branch Office met on Tuesday 25 January 2005 with Malaysia Airlines Management represented by Nicole Hewartson, Salleh Tabrani, Chong Min Sin and Kelly Knowles from the Australian Industry Group.
01 February 2005 [ full story ]
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ASU wins increase in Qantas allowances
As from 1 February 2005 the ASU has won an increase in a range of allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 to take account of rises in the CPI since the last change in the award, which was 12 months ago.
01 February 2005 [ full story ]
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January 2005 |
Information for Qantas Group members on outsourcing/offshoring
This week a report appeared in The Australian newspaper about the intention of the Qantas Group to outsource/offshore 7000 jobs. In response the ASU wrote an urgent letter on 17 January 2005 to Kevin Brown, Executive General Manager – People for the Qantas Group and we have extracted the answers to our questions which were in a letter from Qantas (18 January 2005) in this bulletin so that our members who are due to vote in ballots for Qantas EBA 7, Eastern Australia Airlines Group 1 EBA, Sunstate Airlines EBA and Jetstar EBA can be fully informed about this issue before voting.
20 January 2005 [ full story ]
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Eastern Australia Airlines EBA out for vote
The Eastern Australian Airlines National Negotiation Team have finalised an EBA for consideration by all employees covered by the Group One agreement. The EBA reflects discussions with the company on their final offer which had previously been discussed with staff. We have been carefully negotiating the new clauses and believe that we have done the best we can.
17 January 2005 [ full story ]
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Time to consider Sunstate EBA
After many meetings and final drafting negotiations the Sunstate – ASU EBA 2004 is now ready to be considered by staff for approval. Sunstate will be posting the proposed EBA to all staff covered by the agreement between the 14th–17th January 2005.
17 January 2005 [ full story ]
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Voting on Qantas EBA 7 to begin
Ballot papers for the ASU Qantas EBA 7 are being posted to staff on 17th January 2005. The ballot will officially open on 18th January 2005. All of the 10,500 staff covered by the agreement should receive a ballot paper from the independent external company Elections Australia who are in charge of the ballot.
12 January 2005 [ full story ]
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Welcome to ASU campaigns news
The ASU is active in numerous campaigns at any one time, in addition to our work in the industries we cover. From 2005, we will be grouping our campaigns news together.
01 January 2005 [ full story ]
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Digest of news items on Minimum Wage and Living Wage
For news items dated earlier than 2005, please see below.
01 January 2005 [ full story ]
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