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2006 Archive
December 2006 |
Peaceful and festive holidays to all
The ASU National Office sends its best wishes to everyone, especially our members, at this festive time of the year.
21 December 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU road transport global news
This year has proved a very busy year for road transport unionists around the globe. International company sales, ITF Congress, Action Days and Your Rights @ Work continue to hold our focus as we prepare to enter 2007.
21 December 2006 [ full story ]
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The future of energy
The ASU has been working with the ACTU, the energy industry and major energy users to draw attention to the future shape of the industry as it confronts global climate change.
20 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Stand up for Qantas and Stand up for Australia
The Qantas Unions have launched a campaign asking the Federal Government to intervene to support Qantas and to stand up for Qantas and stand up for Australia.
20 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Have your say on the Qantas EBA claims
Now more than ever before it is important for Qantas employees to have their say on what should be included in the bargaining agenda for the Qantas EBA 8.
19 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Nuclear energy policy endorsed by ASU
The ASU has been calling for multilateral debate on the important issue of energy and the environment. As part of the Union debate and in response to media reports, the recent ASU National Conference considered an urgent item covering nuclear fuel use in Australia.
19 December 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - November 2006
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: ASU nuclear energy policy; National regulation of retail pricing; Iemma Government Introduces Water Competition Bill; Energy industry turns to web training; Bill drives forward gas industry reforms; and much more.
19 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Local government industry skills
As the leading local government union, the ASU is concerned that the industry maintains high employment and training levels. Critical skills shortages currently face many Australian industries, including many areas in local government.
19 December 2006 [ full story ]
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It’s time to make a difference
Preparations for the negotiation of next year’s ASU Sunstate EBA 3 have begun with the release of our EBA survey to determine what staff want to claim in next year’s bargaining round.
18 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas unions fear private equity takeover will put thousands of jobs and pay at risk
Unions fear the takeover of Qantas by a private equity consortium will cost thousands of jobs and put downward pressure on workers' wages and conditions while bonuses for senior executives will go through the roof.
14 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Private equity vultures circle Qantas
Qantas Directors have accepted a bid for the purchase of Qantas by a private equity consortium. The consortium is headed by overseas based companies including Texas Pacific Group and Onex and the Macquarie Bank and has made a $10.9 billion bid for Qantas.
14 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 48
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 48) is now available on this website. This Update explains in detail the distribution of a seventh dividend of $27 million to former Ansett employees and to the Commonwealth.
14 December 2006 [ full story ]
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New IR dream team
National Secretary Paul Slape has applauded the ALP’s appointment of former ASU official Brendan O'Connor to work with Julia Gillard in the all important Industrial Relations (IR) portfolio. Julia and Brendan were appointed Shadow IR Minister and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for IR respectively by Kevin Rudd, the new Leader of the Federal Opposition, over the weekend.
12 December 2006 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear
Just in time for the Christmas season! The ASUshop is a great place to order last minute gifts. Orders can be sent to a different delivery address so you don't even need to worry about sending them yourself! The ASUshop can also include a personal message with your order. Enter your message in the "Additional Information" field when finalising your order at the check out.
11 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Pay rate uncertainty hits over one million workers under new IR laws
More than a million workers on award wages cannot be sure of their rate of pay with the Federal Government acknowledging that the pay scales it publishes are not reliable.
08 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Time to start work on Jetstar EBA
Preparations for the negotiation of next year’s ASU Jetstar EBA 3 have begun with the release of our EBA survey to determine what staff want to claim in next year’s bargaining round.
08 December 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU's Linda White elected as ACTU VP
This week the ACTU Executive elected the ASU's Assistant National Secretary Linda White as a Vice President.
07 December 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU's Linda White new ACTU Vice President
This week the ACTU Executive elected the ASU's Assistant National Secretary Linda White as a Vice President.
07 December 2006 [ full story ]
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Unions vow to continue campaign against Federal Government IR laws following successful national protest
Unions have vowed to continue the campaign against the Howard Government's IR laws following successful national protests at more than three hundred venues across Australia and the involvement of more than 264,000 people.
01 December 2006 [ full story ]
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November 2006 |
TSF agreement negotiations update
On 22-23 November the ASU negotiating team met with TSF HR management in Sydney to resume negotiations for the 2007 replacement agreement.
29 November 2006 [ full story ]
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New Contractor's Law in Parliament today will further undermine workers' rights
The Howard Government is pressing ahead with further changes to industrial relations laws with a new 'independent contractor' law to be introduced into Parliament today that gives big business the power to push down contract rates and threaten the take home pay of both contractors and employees alike.
29 November 2006 [ full story ]
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TV Ad blitz by unions to promote national protest against IR laws - Thurs 30 Nov
The ACTU has begun a television ad blitz to promote a national community protest against the Howard Government’s IR laws this Thursday 30 November.
27 November 2006 [ full story ]
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New data shows real wages for workers in NSW are going backwards
New research by the ACTU to be released today shows that workers in NSW are being hard hit by the Government's industrial relations laws with average wages for full time employees dropping $33 a week in real terms over the last year.
24 November 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU National Delegate of the Year 2006 announced
The ASU National Delegate of the Year 2006 was announced by National Secretary Paul Slape last night at the ASU National Conference dinner. Awarded to Linda Bullen of the WA Branch for her work as a delegate at Cat Haven, the stories of all our nominees were inspiring. Leader of the Federal Opposition, Kim Beazley was in attendance to present all nominees and the winner with certificates and prizes.
23 November 2006 [ full story ]
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November 25 is White Ribbon Day
The White Ribbon Day campaign is a chance for all to speak out against violence against women and children in our communities, but especially an opportunity for men to show their support.
23 November 2006 [ full story ]
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November 30 rally - just one week to go! Nationwide rallies next Thursday
Next Thursday's nationwide rallies mark a critical moment in the Rights at Work campaign, and as we draw closer to next year's federal election, the stakes have never been higher.
23 November 2006 [ full story ]
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International connections help us fight the good fight
A number of international guests have added an important dimension to the deliberations of ASU National Conference 2006. The ASU has always recognised our role as part of a network of solidarity spanning all parts of the world, but each year this network becomes more and more crucial to our work. The contribution of guests from the United Kingdom and Japan has helped delegates to see how the ASU can be “building power” in our international community.
23 November 2006 [ full story ]
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What kind of society do you want to live in?
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet addressed the second day of ASU National Conference today. He reminded delegates that the current union-wide campaign is a fight for a particular vision of Australia, an Australia where everyone has a fair go, at work and elsewhere.
22 November 2006 [ full story ]
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2006 ASU National Conference: building power in our workplaces and communities
The ASU National Conference 2006 commenced today in Sydney. Deliberations will be based on the key theme of building power in our workplaces and communities. In the current WorkChoices environment, unions have increasingly learned the importance of organising in the community as well as the more traditional organising in the workplace.
21 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Court orders urgent hearing for Qantas Holidays breach proceedings
Yesterday the Victorian Magistrates Court ordered an urgent hearing for the ASU’s proceedings against Qantas Holidays Limited in which we allege the Company breached the Airlines Officers (Qantas Airways Limited) Award by changing part time employers’ rosters in the call centre without their consent.
21 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Preparations begin for ASU’s Qantas EBA 8
It is hard to believe that it will soon be Qantas EBA time again, and that 2007 is shaping up to be a very big year for ASU negotiations at Qantas.
16 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Breach of Award proceedings issued against Qantas Holidays
The ASU yesterday issued proceedings in the Victorian Magistrates Court against Qantas Holidays Limited, alleging the Company has breached the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award by changing part time employees’ rosters in the call centre without their consent. We have also alleged that the new roster has a discriminatory effect on some employees because of their family responsibilities or physical or mental disabilities.
15 November 2006 [ full story ]
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"Working Class Man" Jimmy Barnes to rock against IR laws at 30 Nov MCG protest
Australian rock legend and original 'working class man' Jimmy Barnes and his band will play live to workers and families at the MCG on November 30 as part of a nation-wide day of protest against the Federal Government's industrial relations laws, the ACTU has announced.
Jimmy Barnes and his band will be a key part of the line-up for the November 30 protest against the Government's IR laws which will be broadcast live from the MCG across Australia. Unions expect the MCG rally and broadcast on 30 November will be one of Australia's biggest ever community protests with more than half a million people expected to participate nationally.
15 November 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU National Office audited accounts, financial statements and operating report
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. Unions are also required to prepare an operating report. The National Executive and the Branches of the ASU each conduct their own audit and prepare their own reports.
15 November 2006 [ full story ]
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The Smith Family agreement negotiations commence
On Thursday 9 November 2006 the ASU negotiating team met with the The Smith Family (TSF) HR management team in Melbourne to discuss the ASU’s log of claims and related issues.
14 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Carpet company exploits IR laws to cut workers' entitlements: Govt fails to close loophole
The ACTU is disappointed the Federal Government has failed to close a loophole in the IR laws that is allowing carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst to takeover the operations of its former competitor Feltex carpets while substantially cutting redundancy pay and other entitlements for 320 Australian production workers.
13 November 2006 [ full story ]
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News from the integrators international Day of Action
The big four integrators in Australia continue to grow and expand their businesses and that is the result of the hard work of union members around the country. Many different areas of TNT, DHL, FedEx and UPS engaged in activities to support the ITF international day of action "organising globally - fighting for our rights". Australian members participated in the campaign along with unionists from a number of other countries.
10 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Australian to head new global trade union
ACTU President Sharan Burrow has been elected to head a new global trade union body as its first president. Ms Burrow is currently in Vienna attending the Founding Congress of the new international trade union body: Unions International - the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
07 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Waste report now with Government
The Australian Productivity Commission report on waste collection services, which includes references to the removal of the service from local government responsibility, has now been presented to the Federal Government.
06 November 2006 [ full story ]
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Skills and training for energy industry workers
The Australian Services Union has been elected to share a joint position with the ETU/CEPU on the EE-OZ industry skills board. EE-OZ Training Standards Ltd examines training and skills standards in the utilities industries and acts as an advisory organisation.
05 November 2006 [ full story ]
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It pays to read the fine print at Qantas
Despite an increase in the allowances in the Airline Officers (Qantas Airways Ltd) Award 2000 which took effect from the first pay period on or after 1 February 2006, it now appears that Qantas has not been paying these allowances as they are legally required to.
03 November 2006 [ full story ]
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TSF Agreement Update
Following consultation with TSF members throughout October the ASU on 3 November 2006 served an EBA Log of Claims on TSF Management as follows:
03 November 2006 [ full story ]
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October 2006 |
Ansett staff - time to reclaim super
AUSFund says that over 2500 former Ansett employees have not claimed around $53million in superannuation funds after the airline collapsed in September 2001 and the money is now in AUSfund which acts as a holding fund for super funds that have lost track of their members. This money was previously in the Ansett Ground Staff Super Fund and the Ansett Flight Attendants Super Fund. AUSfund is run by Australia's major industry funds and has over $600 million in funds under management and 1.6 million members.
31 October 2006 [ full story ]
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$650K workers' underpayment is proof that problems are rife with Govt's 457 visas
The announcement by the Office of Workplace Services (OWS) today that temporary workers have been underpaid $650,000 is conclusive proof that exploitation of overseas workers is rife under the Federal Government's 457 visa program says the ACTU.
31 October 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU says no to violence against women
November 25, 2006 is White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This week sees the launch of the United Nations White Ribbon Ambassadors in Australia which will bring together union, business, government and community leaders along with members of the entertainment field. ASU Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean has been appointed as one of the ambassadors.
31 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Energy unions need to be consulted on Stern report findings
With the release of the Stern report to the UK Government on the effects of climate change on the world economy came the word that the Australian Government was advised of the report earlier this month. However, so far no action has taken place or any discussion with the energy industry or unions, despite the potentially huge impact on that industry.
31 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Local government members have a say on their training needs
The ASU has previously advised that the sport, recreation and fitness training packages are under review by Service Skills Australia. Through this process, ASU members in local government working in the sport and recreation sector can have a say on their training needs.
27 October 2006 [ full story ]
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And the Travelex survey said…
ASU members have considered the Travelex claim that they have surveyed a number of ex-employees and current employees on how the current roster system affects them.
26 October 2006 [ full story ]
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ACTU Congress endorses Industrial Relations Policy
ASU National President Henrietta Moran and National Secretary Paul Slape led a 30 strong ASU delegation to this week’s Australian Council of Trade Union’s (ACTU) 2006 Congress.
26 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Low paid win $27 per week increase
The Australian Fair Pay Commission today handed down its first wages decision, in which it decided to award a significant increase of $27.36 per week to the Federal Minimum wage and to minimum ‘award’ rates of pay below $700 per week and an increase of $22.04 per week to rates above $700. It operates from 1 December 2006.
26 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Rock for Your Rights at Work!
You are invited to Rock for Your Rights at Work, a series of shows supported by the Melbourne artistic community, to take the industrial relations fight to the streets in the lead up to the next National Day Of Action on November 30 at the MCG.
25 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Decent work and sustainable jobs are part of making poverty history
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA and the Australian union movement support the Make Poverty History campaign and believe that the following complementary propositions need to be addressed if global poverty is to be halved by 2015: increase real aid; cancel debts; fight for trade justice; good governance; extend human rights and democracy; food sovereignty; human security and peace; decent work.
24 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal parliament gives greater recognition to local government
The Australian Parliament has this week finalised its resolution on local government with the both sides of Parliament agreeing on the significant role of local government. However the Parliament stopped short of supporting a call for local government to be given constitutional recognition.
24 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Unions aim to broaden IR campaign with launch of new one-stop joining service
The ACTU aims to broaden public involvement in its campaign against the Howard Government's industrial relations laws with the launch today of a new one-stop service that will make it easier and quicker for people to join unions.
23 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Let’s fix child care shortages now!
The ASU, Australia’s largest public sector child care union, is calling for a National Framework Agreement for the establishment of child care centres that involves local, state and federal governments. We are calling for a planned approach to child care, to fix the shortages.
23 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Water Industry Training Package
The Australian Local Government Training (ALGT) has advised the ASU that the Final Draft of the reviewed Water Industry Training Package has been officially signed off by the Project Steering Committee and the Water Industry Advisory Committee (IAC).
23 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Road transport industry training information
The ASU sits on the Industry Advisory Committee for TDT Australia which is the training body for the road transport industry and ASU members working in areas such as logistics, transport call centres, administration, customer service, international and domestic bookings.
23 October 2006 [ full story ]
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$50,000 in five working days - now it's time to fill the MCG!
Nearly 1500 individual Rights at Work supporters donated between $5 and $500 each to help raise money for the Rights at Work billboard: http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/campaigns/billboard
From November 1, the 2 million people who drive down the Tullamarine Freeway every month will be confronted with an ACTU billboard telling the truth about the Howard Government's IR laws - that they hurt working families, freeze wages, and cut pay and conditions.
20 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Young people being hit hard in schools and the workplace
New figures from the Government’s workplace agency, the Office of the Employment Advocate (OEA), show that large numbers of young people in the workforce are being faced with signing AWA individual contracts. These contracts have been shown to result in the loss of previously won award protections. And if our kids decide to stay at school for a technical education, they are being deprived of a quality system because TAFEs are chronically under-funded. A new report shows the skills crisis is of the Federal Government's own making with $1billion stripped out of TAFEs from 1997 and 300,000 people turned away from courses.
19 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Join workers who will STAND UP against poverty on October 16
This Monday, October 16, the ASU National Office is hosting a local STAND UP event, much like thousands of other such events going on all over Australia and the rest of the world. Show everyone that trade unionists are active against poverty – come to our STAND UP event on the corner of Cardigan & Queensberry Streets, Carlton South at 10am.
13 October 2006 [ full story ]
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PM's skills & training announcement fails to fix ten years of Fed Govt neglect
The Prime Minister's announcement of a package of skills and training measures is inadequate and represents a pathetic attempt to fix ten years of neglect by the Federal Government says the ACTU.
13 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Give John Howard a nasty shock!
When John Howard visits Melbourne next month, he will get a nasty shock when he looks out the window of his chauffeur-driven car.
12 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Sport and Recreation Training Packages under review
ASU members in the sport and recreation sectors (including local government – the largest employer of sport and recreation people in the country) now have the opportunity to look at and input into their latest training packages which are currently under review.
11 October 2006 [ full story ]
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The IT Factor
The future of Australian IT looks grim as big companies lead the rush to India and China, writes Jackie Woods.
11 October 2006 [ full story ]
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An end to violence against women - at work and everywhere else
Reclaim the Night (RTN) is an annual event where people get together to demand an end to violence against women. On the evening of Friday, October 27, 2006 the streets of a major city near you will be "reclaimed" in a symbolic act showing women should not be and will not be deterred from venturing out into the world for fear of violence. ASU members are encouraged to attend.
11 October 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU road transport members plan their moves during ITF Action Week
ASU members are planning Your Rights at Work education sessions and morning teas to discuss the ITF campaign to "organise globally - fighting for our rights".
10 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Organising Globally - Building Union Power
ASU members in Road Transport around the country will use the ITF Week of Action: Organising Globally – Building Union Power, to finalise preparations for our national action day on 9 November 2006.
09 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Right to know laws would cover air travel too
The ALP’s commitment to changes to the Privacy Act requiring companies to disclose when customers data is sent offshore, should also apply to Qantas, the Australian Services Union said today.
06 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Why is our Prime Minister celebrating workers losing their pay & conditions?
John Howard's decision to celebrate the signing of an AWA in Adelaide today shows just how out of touch with working families the Government has become on the issue of industrial relations.
06 October 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU STANDS UP against poverty on October 16
During Anti-Poverty Week that runs from October 15-21 this year, the ASU will be showing support by hosting a local STAND UP against poverty event in front of our National Office on Monday, October 16. These events will be going on all over the globe in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people to stand up for a cause. Come join us or get involved in an activity near you.
04 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Wampan Wages: a public seminar on stolen wages
Indigenous Australians allege that they worked but never received payment. They also allege they defended Australia at war but received nothing in return. The Victorian Stolen Wages Working Group and the Public Interest Law Clearing House are hosting a public seminar on Government accountability for Indigenous trust money. The ASU is a sponsor of this event.
03 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Seven things you need to know about the new IR laws at Jetstar
Seven things you need to know include: How are my wages and conditions set under the new laws; Have any of my conditions been removed under the new IR laws; What happens if Jetstar offer individual contracts; What’s wrong with individual contracts; What happens next year when the EBA is up for renegotiation; Can Jetstar refuse to negotiate a new EBA; and Can the ASU represent me under the new IR laws.
02 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Sticking together pays off at Qantas Holidays
Last Friday the ASU and Qantas Holidays appeared at the Industrial Relations Commission about the implementation of the proposed part time roster in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. ASU Qantas Holidays (Melbourne) reps Leah Buchbinder and Maria Scafi attended with ASU officials Chris Haan and Jo Katsoulas.
02 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Pay freeze enters 16th month for low paid workers as prices continue to go up
The ACTU has called on the Federal Government to hurry up and deliver a pay rise for low paid workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of living as a wage freeze caused by the Government's IR laws enters its sixteenth month.
02 October 2006 [ full story ]
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NSW Government moves to protect council workers
The NSW Government has advised that it will introduce changes to local government to provide for the transfer of long service leave and sick leave between councils.
02 October 2006 [ full story ]
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AIRC says ‘yes’ to ASU members in Optus
The ASU’s coverage of South Australian workers in the Optus call centre has now been officially recognised by the independent umpire, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), despite attempts by Optus to stop staff who are ASU members having their union recognised.
02 October 2006 [ full story ]
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Flying kangaroo eyes passage to India
The Australian Services Union today called on Qantas to abandon plans to send 400 IT jobs to India. ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said it understood the plans were well advanced, with two Indian companies short-listed to take over the jobs of local programmers, website developers and application support staff.
01 October 2006 [ full story ]
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September 2006 |
Research identifies federal laws discriminating against same-sex couples
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) yesterday released a discussion paper and detailed research paper which identifies Commonwealth laws that discriminate against same-sex couples and their children.
29 September 2006 [ full story ]
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It's Qantas AGM time again – Time to vote
In the last 2 weeks Qantas staff who are shareholders should have received a notice advising that this year’s Qantas Annual General Meeting is to be held on Thursday 19th October 2006 at 2:00pm at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place Sydney.
29 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Fill the 'G'
Stand up for your rights at work on November 30 - the people's protest at the people's ground - the MCG.
28 September 2006 [ full story ]
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New data shows IR laws are pushing down take-home pay
A new ACTU analysis of ABS data shows the IR changes are starting to bite into workers' take home pay with the latest data showing that in the last twelve months average earnings failed to keep pace with inflation for the first time in five years, since the introduction of the GST.
28 September 2006 [ full story ]
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New research into women’s pay and conditions released
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) and the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL Australia) released a new report recently on women's wages and conditions in the Australian workforce.
28 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas decision on IT offshoring imminent
Sources in Qantas suggest that the Qantas Board is to consider whether to offshore vital IT functions to India at its Board meeting in Sydney on 18 October 2006.
26 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Your right to asbestos claims in the UK
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) is holding a free information seminar in Granville (NSW) on October 17 with Anthony Coombs, a leading UK asbestos lawyer.
26 September 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU meets with ALP Shadow Minister for Local Government
The ASU has met with the ALP Shadow Minister for Local Government, Senator Kim Carr, to advocate for local government workers in the lead up to the ALP developing its policy on the sector for the 2007 federal election.
25 September 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU wins increases to key award allowances
The ASU has won increases to expense related award allowances for the reimbursement of meal and travel allowances in four key awards: CASH Award 2002; Family Day Care Award 1999; CETSS Award 1999 and SACS (ACT) Award 2001. All came into effect on September 19, 2006.
25 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Victorian Govt averts community sector crisis, says ASU
The Australian Services Union has been fearful that Howard’s Industrial legislation could decimate the community sector in Victoria. Howard’s legislation would open the door to both unfair work practices and lower wages leading to an exodus of staff and reduced services to the community, if the State Government had not extended the protection of a ‘no disadvantage test’ announced last week.
25 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Govt wants to take water from public hands
The Federal Government would like to take public water services in a new direction, following the United Kingdom and French governments’ lead. This means, basically, extensive operation by the private sector.
22 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Using offshore childcare workers to keep wages low is not the answer
A decision by the Federal Government to seek childcare co-ordinators from offshore is not the answer to the shortage of workers in the childcare industry says the ACTU.
21 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Seven things you need to know about the new IR laws at Qantas
Seven things you need to know include: How are my wages and conditions set under the new laws; Have any of my conditions been removed under the new IR laws; What happens if Qantas offer individual contracts; What’s wrong with individual contracts; What happens next year when the EBA is up for renegotiation; Can Qantas refuse to negotiate a new EBA; and Can the ASU represent me under the new IR laws.
21 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Tell Westpac: keep bank jobs and data in Australia
Nearly 500 jobs and the personal details of thousands of Australian bank customers could be sent offshore if Westpac outsources work to India this week. 485 staff at a Westpac service centre in Western Sydney are nervously awaiting the outcome of a review of their positions. Westpac started a closed-door review of the Transactions and Unsecured Lending staff almost 6 weeks ago, and are expected to announce their decision this week.
20 September 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - September 19, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Update on recognition for local government motion; Public sector employees increased by 37,800; Government squibs tax reform; A fairer balance between industrial relations and the economy; Water added to computer model of critical infrastructure (FED); AFTINET call for end to China FTA talks published in AFR; IPART price changes bring water reform to country NSW; Grandparents suffering due to childcare neglect; Building laws 'out of step with reasonable community standards' says Judge; Collective bargaining for higher productivity; Iemma Government to protect injured workers from WorkChoices (NSW).
19 September 2006 [ full story ]
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ROCK THE VOTE!
Do you want to have a say in your future? Do you want to know what your rights at work are? Do you want to rock? ROCK THE VOTE takes over Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds on Saturday 18 November. For 11 hours punters will be treated to a host of Australia’s best bands and comedians while also being offered some essential information about new laws that affect their lives and futures in this country.
19 September 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU to update SACS & CETSS Award Allowances
The Australian Services Union has lodged applications in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to vary expense related allowances in the following ASU awards:
15 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Under what circumstances would John Howard be willing to support workers instead of always siding with their employer - asks ACTU
Over ten years, the Government has whittled away workers rights, with WorkChoices stripping away any rights of employees to collectively bargain with their employer even where that is what a majority of workers in a workplace want.
15 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Government Inquiry into the tourism industry
The ASU has lodged a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation. The Committee is conducting an Inquiry into Workforce Challenges in the Australian Tourism Sector.
14 September 2006 [ full story ]
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No compromise by Qantas Holidays on part time roster
On Monday 11th September, the ASU reps from all Holidays sites met with Company representatives to discuss the proposed roster formulated by ASU representatives after consultation with staff.
13 September 2006 [ full story ]
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ACTU launches new vision for workplaces based on collective bargaining
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet today released a detailed vision for a new system of workplace relations for Australia based on the right of employees to bargain collectively and to have a democratic vote in workplaces. The new proposal will form the basis for union policy in response to the Federal Government's new IR laws and the next stage of the union campaign for workers' rights.
13 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Australian Government targets workers for heavy fines
Brussels, 11 September 2006 (ICFTU OnLine): The ICFTU has protested to Australian Prime Minister John Howard over the latest in a series of trade union rights violations, under the country’s notorious industrial laws.
12 September 2006 [ full story ]
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"Independent" OWS under the Minister's thumb
IN THE continuing public controversy over the Howard Government's new industrial relations laws, the reputations of public agencies responsible for their administration is being bespattered. You could feel sorry for them, given the manifest flaws in the governance arrangements with which these organisations have been saddled. They are also not assisted by the continuing fib-based campaign of Minister Kevin Andrews in his wooden and thus far unsuccessful efforts to persuade the country that the so-called WorkChoices laws will do it a power of good.
11 September 2006 [ full story ]
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These workers were not striking Prime Minister - they were working
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has criticised Prime Minister John Howard's support for a Melbourne electrical components company that has used the Government's IR laws to dock a full week's pay from more than 50 manufacturing workers because the workers had a ban on overtime in support of a collective agreement.
11 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Govt's attack on ACTU IR ads in tatters as questions arise over Cowra Abattoir collapse
The ACTU has today called on Prime Minister John Howard to apologise to 200 sacked workers at the Cowra Abattoir following revelations that abattoir boss David Mulligan loaned almost $2 million to a related company under his control in the period before the abattoir's collapse. The Cowra abattoir workers are owed over $2 million in unpaid entitlements.
11 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Water Industry Training Package "Final Draft" ready for industry comment
Following extensive industry consultation, the revised Water Industry Training Package is now nearing completion. It is recognised that there are divergent views within the industry regarding content and structure of the Training Package. This is commonly experienced in all industries where Training Packages are being developed or reviewed. Where conflicting advice has been received, the project team have referred to the Project Steering Committee for guidance.
11 September 2006 [ full story ]
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National protest against IR laws confirmed for the MCG on November 30
The ACTU and Victorian Trades Hall Council have confirmed that they will host a major community event to protest against the Federal Government's IR laws at the 'people's ground', the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), on Thursday 30 November. The union event will take place from 8am to 10am (AEST) and will be broadcast by satellite to meetings of workers and community members in all capital cities and in more than three hundred regional centres across Australia.
07 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard helps big business avoid OHS laws
The Federal Government has this week passed a new law that will allow a range of employers to avoid superior State/Territory occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in favour of the Commonwealth’s weaker OHS Act. Employers who become self-insurers under the Commonwealth Comcare scheme will now be able to opt out of State/Territory laws that provide more protection for workers.
07 September 2006 [ full story ]
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AGL to slash SA workforce
In yet another indictment of the privatisation of South Australia's electricity industry AGL have today advised their SA based employees of their plans to cut 200 jobs or over 50% of their SA based workforce over the next 12 months. A number of jobs will be going as soon as October.
06 September 2006 [ full story ]
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It’s time for The Smith Family agreement negotiations
Over the next few weeks the Australian Services Union (ASU) delegates and members will be asking staff covered by The Smith Family (TSF) ASU Agreements to assist with a survey in preparation for the 2007 agreement.
05 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Have you participated in the five year follow up survey of Ansett workers?
Do you know someone who worked for Ansett Airlines? Ask them if they are taking part in the Five Year Follow-up survey. Dr. Sally Weller of the University of Melbourne is conducting a survey to gather information about how former Ansett Airlines employees have fared in the labour market five years after the Ansett collapse.
05 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Queensland workers: think of IR before you go to the ballot box
Queensland unions have launched a new round of radio advertisements that ask Queensland workers to consider the impact of the Federal Coalition's new industrial relations laws when casting a vote at the ballot box this weekend.
05 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas Holidays part time roster change
On Wednesday 23rd August ASU reps from all Holiday locations met with Qantas to discuss the proposed part time roster and the negative impacts it would have on your lives and financial situations. At this meeting the ASU reps managed to secure an interim solution: the chance to create a roster that allows staff to balance their work and life.
04 September 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 47
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 47) is now available on this website. This Update explains in detail the distribution of a sixth dividend of $76.9 million to former Ansett employees and to the Commonwealth.
01 September 2006 [ full story ]
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August 2006 |
Ansett Creditors vote for pooling
Creditors in all the 40 Ansett companies today voted to pool the assets and liabilities of all the companies into the one company so as to simplify the ongoing administration of the Ansett group of companies. This means that the Administrators are now able to pay out an estimated $75 million to the employee creditors and to the Commonwealth Government. It also means that no more legal proceedings about pooling will be necessary.
31 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU role in cultural sector recognised with new appointment
Through the ASU’s key union role in local government, Assistant National Secretary, Greg McLean, has been appointed Deputy Chair of CREATE, formerly the cultural sector’s training advisory board, but now regenerated as a research think tank.
31 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU to Chair Community Services Training Package Steering Committee
The Board of the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CSHISC) has appointed ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White as Chair of the Steering Committee for the Review of the Community Services Training Package (CHC02). If you wish to participate in the communication forums, you must RSVP urgently by September 4.
31 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Know your rights on sex discrimination
Yes, it still happens. And way too often. Women are being discriminated against in their workplaces because of their marital status, family responsibilities and because they are women! Many employers get away with this illegal behaviour because women don't know their rights. The new resource produced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) will help to educate indigenous women in particular to understand the facts on sex discrimination and what they can do. Anyone facing sex discrimination in their workplace should contact their union.
30 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - August 2006
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: Australian state and national governments' Ministerial Council on Energy; UK’s largest schools PFI rejects soft services; Water Industry Training Package “First Draft” Qualification Framework ready for industry comment; Women lose out under new IR laws; Competitive metropolitan water market one step closer (NSW); ADB exploring PNG gas project; plus more.
30 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Support the 107 WA workers & their families facing hefty Govt fines for protesting
Today, Australians around the country will gather and rally to demonstrate support for 107 ordinary rank and file workers & families who face persecution in court today by the Howard Government, and potential home-wrecking fines of up to $28,600. If you are incensed by the Government's callous actions, angered by parliamentarians that pass laws in order to prosecute the citizens they claim to represent for the crime of exercising their internally-recognised democratic rights, please make your voices heard throughout this week.
29 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Students investigate the job scene and win
What do students need to know before starting their first job or a new job? How ready are students to deal with the new workplace laws? How will students know if they are getting the right pay or even fair pay under the new laws? Answering these and other questions about work is the aim of the latest ACTU Worksite for Schools competition for students.
29 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Global unions weigh in on fight with Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales
Victorian call centre workers at Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales (GTS) have been heartened by the international response to their plight. The ASU is affiliated to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Union Network International (UNI) who have both added their weight to the fight to have GTS enter negotiations for a fair workplace agreement in place of the disastrous Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) foisted on workers recently.
29 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Keep waste services in local government hands
The Productivity Commission has announced that although public hearings into its draft report on waste services in Australia have concluded, they will still be accepting submissions. It is very important that supporters of local government control of waste services urgently make their views known to the Commission and Treasurer Peter Costello, who originally ordered the inquiry. The ASU believes that the quality of services and security of local jobs rely on local councils retaining their traditional role in waste services.
28 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Medibank sale... a bitter pill?
The Federal Government wants to sell Medibank – Australia’s largest, not-for-profit, national private health insurer. Selling Medibank will reduce competition between funds, putting pressure on premiums and the quality of health care - yet Medibank's three million members have not even been consulted about the proposed sell-off.
28 August 2006 [ full story ]
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107 building workers and their families face $28,600 fines under the new IR laws
One hundred and seven Western Australian building workers face jail and personal fines of up to $28,600. Their crime? Participating in a stoppage in support of a sacked workmate and refusing to accept persistent safety breaches in their workplace.
28 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas Group unions call information meetings for staff
In response to Qantas' announcement that they will introduce Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) in Jetstar International and the threats by Qantas to further reduce existing pay and conditions, the Joint Qantas Unions have called an information meeting of all Qantas Group employees.
24 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU responds to draft Auscript EBA 2006
The ASU, on behalf of members, has responded to the draft Auscript EBA. Relevant matters include wages and bonuses, ordinary hours, loading, disputes settlement, etc. There are both negative and positive aspects to the current draft and we are seeking input from Auscript workers.
24 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Tasmanian ASU identities help shape ALP future
Sean Kelly, Secretary of the ASU Tasmanian Branch, was elected to the position of ALP Tasmanian President recently. Former Industrial Officer of the Tassie ASU Branch, Catryna Bilyk, has also won preselection to the number three spot on the ALP Senate ticket. These positions recognise Sean and Catryna's efforts in relation to Tasmanian working people.
24 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Govt waves the white flag on local jobs and industries
The Government's belated decision to increase payments for workers who lose their jobs and employee entitlements in a company collapse has been labelled as inadequate and overdue by the ACTU.
23 August 2006 [ full story ]
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German workers protest in Cologne about treatment of Aussie workers
A group of 15 people protested on Tuesday, the 15th of August 2006 in front
of the Lufthansa Headquarters in Cologne, Germany against the plans to cut wages of Global Tele Sales (GTS) call centre workers in Melbourne. This protest was in support of the continuing campaign of ASU members for a better deal at the call centre.
22 August 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - August 21, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: “NO” to removal of waste services from local government; WorkChoices Moonee Valley City Council style; National Transport Commission’s (NTC) Draft Model Rail Safety Regulations; Labor renews its call for a childcare summit; Big Brother not welcome in workplace toilets; Rolling stop works start at Mackay City Council; Australian Government funding for local government in New South Wales; Report finds more than half of WA councils unsustainable; Financial sustainability - ministers get the message; Child care mapping completed (ACT); Community consultation a must in water reforms; Teens to become more vulnerable in the workplace under new independent contractors bill (NSW); New contractors law will help big business cut pay and conditions.
21 August 2006 [ full story ]
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"Best Practice: Family and Work Life Balance - Manual for the SACS Sector" now available
The Best Practice Manual was launched by the Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations the Hon. Rob Hulls on 17the August 2006 and is now available to the SACS sector. The manual is a partnership project between the Victorian Hospital Industrial Association and the Australian Services Union and was funded by the Victorian Government’s Better Work and Family Balance Grants Program.
21 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Industrial action over at Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre
ASU members at Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre have unanimously voted to accept a Collective Agreement, thereby formally ending their industrial action.
18 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 46
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 46) is now available on this website. This Update relates to the meeting of Creditors on 31 August 2006 and explains how Creditors will be asked to vote on resolutions to "pool" the Ansett Group assets and liability.
18 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Jetstar AWAs – Massive pay cuts for workers and millions more for bosses
Following Qantas’ announcement that it will increase the pay of its two top executives by an absurd $12.2 million, Qantas’ wholly owned subsidiary Jetstar is slashing the pay and conditions of International Cabin Crew through the introduction of Australian Workplace Agreements.
17 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Rolling stop works start at Mackay City Council
ASU members at Mackay City Council in Queensland have held the first of a series of stop work meetings as part of their campaign for a new Workplace Collective Agreement (WCA), which provides a 13 per cent pay rise over three years and maintains their current award and agreement conditions.
17 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU tells Productivity Commission “NO” to removal of waste services from local government
The ASU has told the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission that local government’s role in waste services is critical to the needs of the community and should not be removed from local control. The ASU believes that such a shift will result in the deterioration of the service and adversely affect local jobs.
17 August 2006 [ full story ]
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New ABS wages data: increase minimum wages by $30 or risk leaving low-paid behind, ACTU tells Pay Commission
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said that wages data released today shows that the Federal Government's new Pay Commission must increase minimum wages by at least $30 a week or risk leaving low paid workers and their families behind.
16 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas Credit Union victory: Special Resolution defeated – ASU makes the difference
We are pleased to report that the Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) Special Resolution to repeal the existing constitution and replace it with a new one was defeated in a close vote at the Special General Meeting held in Sydney yesterday (15th August 2006).
16 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Union & employer partnership shows the way to work-life balance
A partnership between the Australian Services Union (ASU) Victorian Authorities & Services Branch and the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA) has resulted in a new publication to guide the introduction of family and work life balance provisions for employees in the social and community services sector.
16 August 2006 [ full story ]
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WorkChoices Moonee Valley City Council style
Management at Moonee Valley City Council (MVCC) has been waging an aggressive campaign against staff conditions at the municipality under the guise of “Continuous Improvement”. Libraries are the current target with Management seeking to increase working hours.
16 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Recreation workers training review now on
Service Skills Australia (the Service Industries Skills Council) is currently conducting the review of the Community Recreation, Fitness, Outdoor Recreation and Sport training packages. This is an extensive exercise and will ensure that the national training framework reflects the skill and knowledge requirements of the sport, fitness and recreation sectors.
15 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Women lose out under new IR laws and now Fed Govt strips funding from independent women's services
The Federal Government has made funding to independent advisory centres for working women conditional on the centres conducting WorkChoices seminars and producing publications that promote its extreme industrial relations laws, it has been revealed.
15 August 2006 [ full story ]
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The campaign against unfair AWAs at GTS
Since the release of the report by the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate, Tony Lawrence, there has been a great deal of interest and support for the struggle against the unfair AWA offered by Global Tele Sales (GTS). The offering of the AWAs has also been a hot topic of debate in Federal Parliament.
14 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Jetstar AWA tells real story of IR laws: $12.2 million more for executives while workers' pay reduced by $160 a week
Jetstar's announcement that all international cabin crew staff will be forced to sign pay cutting AWA individual contracts shows the real unfairness of the Federal Government's new IR laws the ACTU said today. Just last week Jetstar owner Qantas revealed it will increase entitlements for its two top executives by $12.2 million.
14 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Jetstar International work stays in QF Group
Jetstar has now announced that the check-in work for new airline Jetstar International has been awarded in the main to staff working in Qantas Group companies.
14 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Lufthansa – it’s time to listen to the public
Over 5,400 people have sent a message to Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales (GTS) in Melbourne in support of the call centre workers who are being asked to sign substandard individual contracts.
11 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Desperate IR Minister cranks up the propaganda & jettisons the facts
In a sign of his increasing desperation to keep his portfolio, the Minister for Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews has jettisoned the facts and cranked up the propaganda war over the Howard Government's controversial IR laws says the ACTU.
10 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Minister Andrews - wrong, wrong, wrong!
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews is trying to cover-up his own incompetence by using so-called independent legal advice relating to the AWA offered to 80 call centre staff in Melbourne.
10 August 2006 [ full story ]
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South African electricity industry workers look to ASU for support
A large delegation of over 24 representatives from a range of South African electricity industry unions and the state-owned corporations that they work with, recently met with local electricity industry representatives including state-owned energy companies and electricity industry unions from both Australia and New Zealand.
10 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Workplace Rights Advocate’s report slams GTS AWA
The Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch has today made public the report by the Workplace Rights Advocate, which severely criticised the AWA offered by Melbourne based call centre, Global Tele Sales (GTS).
09 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Call centre staff face pay cuts & lost penalty rates under 'non-negotiable' AWA individual contracts
Eighty workers employed at Lufthansa's GTS Melbourne call centre face pay cuts, reduced penalty rates and a potentially discriminatory bonus scheme under 'non-negotiable' AWA individual contracts made under the Federal Government's new IR laws the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate found today.
09 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ACTU launches new radio ads to ensure IR messages hit home
The ACTU and Australian unions have launched the next phase of the Your Rights at Work campaign with a series of radio ads aimed at highlighting the winners and losers in the new IR system, and the impact of the laws on young people and families. The radio ads begin this week in every state, and across regional Australia. The ACTU's TV ads will also continue to air on TV.
07 August 2006 [ full story ]
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August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week!
A mother's right to breastfeed is protected by the Federal Sex Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status, pregnancy and potential pregnancy.
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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How to vote against the Qantas Credit Union Special Resolution
Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) members should have received a notice of a meeting on 15 August 2006 in Sydney seeking your vote to amend the Qantas Staff Credit Union's constitution. It's an 'all or nothing' vote, to repeal the existing constitution and replace it with a new version.
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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General info tech industry news
ASU Delegates and members have been working hard across the first half of 2006 on a number of collective agreements and of course in the Your Rights @ Work campaign
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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HREOC public hearings into same sex: same entitlements
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) held a public hearing in Sydney on Wednesday 26 July 2006 as a part of a national Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits. The ASU was invited to present a further submission to the Inquiry following the acceptance of our written submission.
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Labor Leader Kim Beazley visits Northern Territory
The Federal Labor Leader Kim Beazley was in Alice Springs and Darwin this week and caught up with various community, business and union representatives including Darwin based Australian Services Union official Lucio Matarazzo.
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Water Industry Training Package "First Draft" Qualification Framework ready for industry comment
Following recent extensive national industry consultation, the Water Training Package review project team are pleased to advise that the first draft of the Water Training Package Qualification Framework is now available for viewing and industry feedback.
03 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Update on Jetstar International
ASU representatives met with Jetstar Human Resources on 1 August 2006 to discuss a number of matters including the arrangements that are to be put into place for the check-in, ground handling operations and head office for Jetstar International. The meeting had been scheduled for 21 July 2006 but was postponed at Jetstar’s request.
02 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Women of Tasmania need your support!
The Working Women’s Centre Tasmania (WWCT) will close on the 17 August 2006 unless the State Government can be convinced to pick up the funding abandoned by the Howard Government.
02 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - July 2006
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: Beware - regulating for deregulation; Dutch regulator - Netherlands is a national market; 2006 Austria - major black out averted; Go Ahead For Power Plant; India sends call centre jobs to UK; Bank Implements Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative; and much more.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU supports the condemnation on lack of union consultation by TNT
Trade unions from across the world who met with TNT in The Hague last week condemned the Company for refusing to begin proper negotiations on the future of the 36,000 workers of its soon to be sold logistics division.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Canon NCC meets for first time since agreement finalised
The Canon NCC met by teleconference, Wednesday 26 July 2006. The Agenda for the NCC meeting included: Balanced Score Card; Constitution of NCC; Review of NCC Committee; Technicians Productivity; Defensive Driver Training (Holden Rodeos) and PaGA Teams allowance. The minutes from the NCC meeting are now available.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU supports the condemnation on lack of union consultation by TNT
Trade unions from across the world who met with TNT in The Hague last week condemned the Company for refusing to begin proper negotiations on the future of the 36,000 workers of its soon to be sold logistics division.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas Holidays part time roster changes = less $$$
Two weeks ago, Qantas Holidays announced that it was planning to change the rosters for their part time staff. This will mean a massive loss of income and a disruption to family responsibilities and outside commitments. The change affects each and every part time staff member – 93 staff nationally – nearly 50% of whom are staff at Qantas Holidays in Melbourne.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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New IR laws are turning off workers and business alike - new survey finds laws are unfair & bad for productivity
A new national survey by software company MYOB released today (Tuesday 1 August) has found that the Howard Government's new IR laws are unfair for workers and bad for productivity. The survey finds nearly three times as many (34%) small businesses believe that the laws will hurt productivity compared with only 12% that believe the laws will help.
01 August 2006 [ full story ]
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July 2006 |
ACTU condemns disgraceful Federal Government attack on sacked workers
The ACTU today strongly condemned the Federal Government for its attack on the workers appearing in the ACTU television advertisements.
26 July 2006 [ full story ]
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A message from the ACTU: five years after Ansett - why are workers' entitlements still not secure, Mr Howard?
A broken Federal Government promise to protect employee entitlements and just-in-time production methods by car manufacturers are at the root of job insecurity in Australia's car parts industry says the ACTU.
26 July 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU ready to bargain at Garuda
ASU members at Garuda have concluded an extensive round of assessment on issues they wish addressed in the new collective agreement.
24 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Don't take waste management away from local government
The ASU has responded to the Federal Government's Productivity Commission report that recommends removing waste management services from local government regulation. Apart from undermining service levels to local communities, the ASU believes local jobs will be put at risk.
21 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Secret Govt and big business talks seek further cuts in pay and conditions - Kevin Andrews must come clean
The Howard Government is secretly discussing with the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) big business plans for a new wave of IR reforms that may see more workers denied overtime pay when working more than 38 hours a week, and widen employers' ability to stand down workers without pay.
20 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Rex employees vote – YES!
Voting has concluded in the Rex Airline Services Agreement 2006. A majority of Rex employees have voted on whether they accept the new Rex Airline Services Agreement 2006 and the overwhelming majority voted "yes".
20 July 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - July 20, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Council Of Australian Governments meeting communiqué; Industrial Relations Campaign; ASU speaks up for employees having access to e-mail and web; Speech to the Australian Rail Summit (Fed); NSW refuses a race to the bottom on workplace safety; IR stand boosts Beazley; Support for councils to buy green (NSW); Spying in the workplace; plus more.
20 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Update on campaign against unfair AWAs at GTS
The ASU recently asked the Victorian Government’s newly created office of the Workplace Rights Advocate to examine Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales (GTS) AWAs. We have received an update on the investigation. The global campaign has been a great success.
20 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Airlines peak body meets in Sydney
The ASU’s National Airlines Division Council (NADC) met in Sydney on 14th & 15th June 2006 to consider a range of industrial relations and general issues affecting the ASU’s membership in the aviation industry.
18 July 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU official to take regional role for energy & water industry unions
An ASU national official has been selected to lead a critical international conference on electricity and water industry reform. In doing so, the ASU will be in a guiding role for other Australian unions and unions from other countries in our region that face changes in the electricity and water industries. Key agenda items include privatisation, public private partnerships (PPPs), industry reform and the role of governments in the reform agenda of water and electricity services.
18 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Meeting scheduled on Jetstar International
For some time the ASU office has been asking Jetstar Human Resources about the arrangements that the Company is putting in place for the ground handling of the new airline Jetstar International. We now have a meeting scheduled with Jetstar Group General Manager People Rohan Garnett on Friday 21 July 2006 in Melbourne.
17 July 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU supports ITF campaign on HIV/AIDS
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), as a part of Global Unions has produced a news bulletin on the issues of HIV/AIDS for workers in the transport industry. The ASU, an affiliate of the ITF, is supporting this important campaign.
14 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Global campaign takes off - over 2000 emails in 12 hours
In the first 12 hours of the LabourStart Campaign in support of Lufthansa workers in Melbourne over 2000 emails have been sent to the call centre boss. These emails are in addition to the 650 Australian emails sent to the Company over the last week through the ASU's own campaign site.
14 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Act Now! Labourstart campaign for Lufthansa’s GTS workers
Labourstart, an online news service for the international trade union movement has posted an online campaign today on their website in support of the ASU’s campaign for a better deal for staff at Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales call centre in Melbourne, Australia. These staff are being forced out of their collective agreement onto inferior individual contracts.
13 July 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU says new IR laws will affect women more
Speaking at “Our work…our lives: national conference on women and industrial relations” sponsored by Griffith University today in Brisbane, ASU National Vice President and Central & Southern Queensland C&A Branch Secretary Julie Bignell said that the new IR laws were a disaster for women and would reverse the clock on equality of pay and conditions in Australia within a short time.
12 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal IR laws threaten CETSS workers
If you’re a CETSS (community employment, training & support services) worker paid under the ASU's "Community Employment, Training & Support Services Award" your wages have been frozen thanks to the Howard Government’s WorkChoices legislation.
12 July 2006 [ full story ]
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HREOC public hearings into "Same Sex: Same Entitlements"
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has launched a National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships:
Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits. The ASU has lodged a submission.
10 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Tanker crew first lose their jobs and could now face fines for protesting
The crew of an Australian tanker docked in Hobart could face fines under the Howard Govt's IR laws for protesting against the operator's decision to replace the Australian crew with foreign seafarers by refusing to unload the ship's cargo of sulphuric acid.
10 July 2006 [ full story ]
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The Cold 100 - a hundred reasons why WorkChoices is a dud
The NSW Government has come up with 100 reasons why WorkChoices is a dud, with 100 examples of ripped off workers. Their "Shame File - 100 Days of Work Choices" includes areas such as Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs or individual agreements), occupational health and safety (OHS), unfair dismissal and young workers.
10 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard Govt IR agency confirms Cowra sackings and pay cuts legal under new IR laws
Australian workers can be legally sacked and re-employed on lower wages and conditions under the Howard Government's new IR laws the Government's own workplace watchdog has confirmed today.
07 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Victoria’s Workplace Rights Advocate investigates pay cuts at Lufthansa’s GTS
Victoria's Workplace Rights Advocate (WRA) has today announced an investigation into the individual contracts being offered by Lufthansa's Global Tele Sales (GTS) after concerns have been raised with the WRA by the Australian Services Union.
05 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Enterprise bargaining process begins at Link
The ASU has surveyed Link workers in order to prepare a claim for management and kick off enterprise bargaining. Make sure you have your say and get involved in the process.
05 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Your Rex agreement is ready for voting
Negotiations at Rex have concluded on the Regional Express Airlines Services Collective Agreement 2006. Whilst the negotiations have taken some time to conclude, there is now a document that the Focus Group, ASU and Rex have agreed to.
05 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Young woman miner sacked for refusing to sign AWA individual contract that cut award sick leave entitlements
A twenty-one year old woman who trained for five years so she could follow in her father's footsteps and work in the mining industry has been sacked for refusing to sign an AWA individual contract that cut her award sick leave entitlements by requiring her to give 12 hours notice of being sick or else lose a day's pay as well as be penalised an extra $200.
05 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Call centres can come back from India!
Over a number of years Australians have been well aware of the movement of call centre jobs to other countries. What we have been experiencing is part of a global trend but one which, hopefully, shows signs of coming to an end? A major British energy company has just moved its call centre back to the United Kingdom!
04 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Govt wants to give away our ability to look after the public interest
The Australian Federal Government is currently involved in negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which will undermine the rights of our federal, state and local governments to provide for a range of “domestic regulations”. Such regulations are often designed to protect labour (rights), the environment, public health, municipal planning and consumer rights, ie. in the public interest. The new regime would entitle commercial corporations to demand that duly elected Australian governments show the necessity of any such regulations!
04 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Call to action: Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales uses laws to cut wages
Call centre workers at Global Tele Sales (GTS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines, have been offered individual contracts (known as AWAs) under the new federal industrial relations laws that slash their existing wages and conditions. The call centre employs 80 people in Melbourne and is part of the Lufthansa multi-billion dollar network worldwide.
03 July 2006 [ full story ]
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Media Release: AWAs offer for 80 Melbourne workers – is it unlawful?
The Australian Services Union (ASU), Victorian Private Sector Branch, today called on John Howard to step in and protect approximately 80 Melbourne call centre workers from a potentially discriminatory AWA.
03 July 2006 [ full story ]
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June 2006 |
New Howard Govt "Fair Pay" Commissioners get pay rise while low paid workers suffer wage freeze
After only three months in the job, members of the Howard Govt's new Fair Pay Commission will get a pay rise on 1 July while low paid workers are suffering an 18 month wage freeze as they wait for the Commission to decide the next increase in the federal minimum wage.
30 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Respect the Past – Believe in the Future
ASU members around the country are invited to help NAIDOC celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year NAIDOC Week will be celebrated from 2 July to 9 July.
29 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers' protests across Australia send message to Howard Govt on IR Laws
Widespread community concern over cuts to take-home pay and the loss of basic employment conditions has underpinned strong turnouts at protests across Australia yesterday says the ACTU.
29 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Vale Joan Riordan
Joan Riordan, the first woman to be elected as a Branch Secretary of the former Federated Clerks Union of Australia, passed away in Brisbane on the 26th June.
28 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Government only listens to big business on IR laws - ACTU
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has rejected today's erroneous claims by the Prime Minister John Howard saying the real issue is that the Government only listens to big business on industrial relations and completely ignores the views and interests of Australian working families.
27 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Low paid workers in TAS, NSW, WA & SA get wage rise
The NSW & WA Industrial Commissions have today granted Union applications to increase wages for workers on State awards by $20 per week. Unions in all States where State industrial tribunals still exist have applied for safety net wage increases for award dependent workers (that is, those workers not on enterprise agreements) to protect them against erosion of their living standards.
26 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Canon collective agreement ballot has been counted
The voting process for the Canon Australia Pty Ltd (Technical Consultants) Agreement 2006 has concluded. All ballot papers had been sealed in each State or Branch and forwarded to the North Ryde office for the official counting on Friday 23 June 2006 at 3.00pm.
23 June 2006 [ full story ]
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What are you doing to protest for your rights during the nation-wide week of action?
Don't let the Federal Government forget that we will not take this whittling away of our rights at work sitting down. Stand up during the week of action activities and make your voice heard. Activities across the nation in capital cities and regional centres will give us another opportunity to show them we mean business!
22 June 2006 [ full story ]
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New law threatens pay & conditions of both contractors and employees
New 'independent contractor' laws introduced into Federal Parliament today (Thurs 22 June) will give big business the power to push down contract rates and are a threat to the take home pay of both contractors and employees alike says the ACTU.
22 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Comprehensive community consultation reveals businesses and workers alike fear new IR order
When the Federal Government rushed through the new IR laws last year, with a scant five days of Senate inquiry, the Australian Labor Party was not deterred. Instigating a widespread community consultation which visited each state and territory and spoke to almost 200 witnesses, the ALP’s IR Taskforce has now released its report findings. What has been revealed is that the fear to be expected amongst workers about what their fate is under WorkChoices is shared by many employers.
21 June 2006 [ full story ]
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International union report reveals suppression of workers’ rights across the globe including in Australia
The international union body, the ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) this month released its “Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations”. Highlighted is the plight of unionists across the globe suffering human rights violations and a range of breaches of union rights by governments. The report makes special mention of the role of the Australian government and “the new laws depriving the country’s workforce of the most fundamental protections”.
20 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers at Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre commence industrial action
Members of the Australian Services Union working at the Victorian Aids Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre began their industrial action yesterday, June 19. Members have reluctantly imposed a variety of work bans, which will continue to operate until the outstanding issues are resolved. In addition, stop work meetings are scheduled to take place later in the month.
20 June 2006 [ full story ]
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New research: Australians concerned about personal information being ‘offshored’ – unions say Government must act
An overwhelming majority of Australians believe they should be told when their personal details are sent offshore because companies have outsourced jobs, new research shows.
20 June 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - June 19, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Watch our new TV ad and help keep it on air; Councils trim staff; Child Care Case study; ASU meets with the Australian Local Government Association and the ALP; Beazley commits Labor to back the unions’ fair industrial relations system; Establishment of the COAG Energy Reform Implementation Group; NSW moves to protect state workers from Howard’s industrial tyranny; NSW Upper House Inquiry on WorkChoices commences; Community opposition to fewer lifeguard patrols; Attraction and retention of employees in the rail industry; John Howard's economic rationale for WorkChoices lacerated by the OECD.
19 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Keep the ACTU’s TV ads on air because everyone needs to know
The ACTU launched a new series of television ads last weekend. Featuring real workers sharing their stories of work abuses already running rampant under John Howard’s new industrial world, they will let so many more people know what is at stake for all of us. It’s important they stay on air as long as possible to make sure this important message gets out far and wide: these laws must go! And go they will when we show this Federal Government the door.
16 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Say “NO” to unfair work laws during the Australia-wide Week of Action June 25 to July 1
Sacked by text message. Fired then rehired on a contract that pays $200 less a week. Pay docked for doing a whip around for the widow of a mate killed on the job. All around the nation Australians have felt first hand the real cost of the Howard Government’s new industrial relations laws. We can send a loud and clear message to Howard and co about how we feel from June 25 to July 1: take action all around Australia.
15 June 2006 [ full story ]
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NSW moves to protect state workers from Howard’s industrial tyranny
The Labor Government of NSW has announced that their State Owned Corporations (SOCs) will not use the Howard Government’s unfair WorkChoices laws to strip away their workers’ rights.
15 June 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - June 15, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Massive boost to water spending in Sydney (NSW); NSW Budget 2006-07 - Treasurer's speech; $2.3 billion for energy infrastructure (NSW); $21 million for fair and efficient IR system (NSW); Budget funds groundwork for state, national energy reform (QLD); Government entities pump $2.856 billion into energy system (QLD); Budget boosts resources industry powerhouse (QLD); Budget boost for public transport (QLD); Federal Govt wage freeze for low paid workers starts; Rail safety - milestone decision (Fed); Moreland City Council – contracting out leisure centre; Council employees protest proposed AWA; Howard Government has given up on child care; No fix for child care despite Government promises – Democrats; Childcare confirmed: not enough and too expensive (Fed); One in five kids access childcare; Lloyd wants to "direct fund where we can" (Fed); People want bigger role for councils - South Australia.
15 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt's own research shows AWA individual contracts remove conditions and cut take home pay
The Howard Government is ignoring official data that shows individual work contracts (AWAs) are being extensively used under the new IR laws to cut the take home pay of workers and to axe penalty rates, shift allowances and annual leave loading.
15 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Beazley commits Labor to back the unions’ fair industrial relations system
Labor leader Kim Beazley has this weekend committed the ALP to support the union movement’s call for the abandoning of AWAs (Australian Workplace Agreements or individual contracts) and to support a fair industrial relations system built on the tenets of collective bargaining.
14 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Canon to distribute collective agreement for voting
Negotiations at Canon for a new collective agreement for Technical Consultants concluded Tuesday 13 June 2006. Canon will be distributing the agreement for your consideration on the 14 June 2006. The document is for you to read thoroughly and make your decision on whether you accept the agreement or not.
14 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Australian Govt continues to flout international labour rights standards: ILO
The Australian Government is continuing to flout international standards on key labour rights including the Right to Collective Bargaining and Protection of the Right to Organise. The Australian Government is now a serial offender of the very principles that sit at the heart of decent rights for working people – core international labour standards.
14 June 2006 [ full story ]
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New union advertisements show human cost of work changes
The ACTU and Australian unions this week launched the next phase of their Rights at Work advertising campaign portraying the actual costs to families as a result of the Howard Government's industrial relations changes.
13 June 2006 [ full story ]
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OHS at Qantas: No to Random Testing at Qantas
The ACTU and Qantas unions have demanded and obtained a short-term agreement from Qantas that it will further delay its plan to introduce random alcohol and other drugs urine testing.
13 June 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - June 13, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Workplace Relations Ministers Council meeting; Survey reveals WorkChoices strips protections; Councils propose veto controls in return for abolition of rate pegging (NSW); Address to International Labour Organization; People want bigger role for councils - South Australia; Howard Government has given up on childcare; No fix for childcare despite Government promises – Democrats; Childcare confirmed: not enough and too expensive (Fed); One in five kids access childcare.
13 June 2006 [ full story ]
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APHEDA seeks ASU members' support
The civil conflict in East Timor has caused people from many areas of the capital, Dili, to flee their homes. People remember the trauma of the occupation and also the terrible destruction wrought by the pro-Indonesian militia in the wake of the independence referendum in 1999. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA maintains a presence in East Timor and is appealing for donations to assist with the displaced population and damage caused by this recent unrest.
13 June 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU meets with the Australian Local Government Association and the ALP
As part of the ASU consultation with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) on its private public partnership and infrastructure policy debate, the ASU Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean has met with the ALP and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the peak body for local government and a member of The Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
12 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Govt wage freeze for workers
A Federal Government "wage freeze" for more than 1.6 million award paid workers started this week.
08 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Gold Coast sackings to be investigated by Union
Two clerical workers sacked from the West Burleigh Medical Clinic, featured on last night’s A Current Affair program, will have their cases assessed by the Australian Services Union today.
08 June 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU National Energy Division prioritises safety
The ASU National Energy/Electricity Division recently met to deal with issues facing the industry. The meeting focussed particularly on safety concerns and how to fight the Howard Government's assault on occupational health and safety training being offered by unions.
08 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Tasmanian Minister for Energy tells ASU privatisation a poor investment
The ASU National Energy/Electricity Division along with Tasmanian rank and file energy committee members met in Hobart recently. The Tasmania Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, invited the Division to meet with him at Parliament House in Hobart to discuss the benefits of not privatising electricity in his state.
07 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas recognises families in all their shapes and sizes … almost!
QANTAS has agreed to recognise the title of ‘marriage’ for at least one QANTAS employee and his same sex partner. They were legally married in Canada and the employee produced to Qantas the marriage certificate as proof.
07 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 45
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 45) is now available on this website. This Update relates to the Administrators' pooling application to the Federal Court.
06 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Support workers at the Victorian AIDS Council and Gay Men's Health Centre
Working with the ASU, members at the Victorian Aids Council/Gay Men's Health Centre have been trying to finalise an Enterprise Agreement since 2004. Despite lengthy negotiations, to date the offer from management has fallen far below expectations. Members are disappointed by managements' refusal to consider their claims. In fact, many aspects of the offer put by VAC/GMHC are below the current SACS Award minimums, meaning that ASU members would lose conditions that have taken years for workers in the community sector to achieve - such as penalty rates and on call allowances.
06 June 2006 [ full story ]
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You need protection for your queer rights at work
QUEER Rights @ Work is a group of LGBTI unionists from a number of unions, including the ASU's GLAM caucus, who came together following the first community roundtable in Queensland under the Your Rights At Work campaign. ASU National GLAM Convenor, Jo Justo coordinated the roundtables across the country to develop strategies to deliver the messages about the campaign to LGBTI unionists and the LGBTI community in general.
06 June 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - June 5, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ALGA in infrastructure talks; Transport ministers, ALGA meet in Sydney; UK councils act on reputation; Submission to the productivity commission (Fed); Water industry skills advisory committee seeks nominations; New directions for public transport - major land acquisition for metropolitan rail expansion (NSW); NSW state infrastructure strategy (NSW); plus more.
05 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Australia’s IR laws are among the world's worst: ILO complaint
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has listed Australia's IR laws for an immediate hearing this week alongside cases from Libya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Guatemala and other countries that are known as the world's worst violators of labour rights.
05 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas Board grows while staff get cut
It seems that the Qantas Board has made itself immune from the 1000 job cuts announced two weeks ago, as Chairman Margaret Jackson has announced the appointment of former Qantas CEO James Strong as a replacement for retiring board member Jim Kennedy, who left in May 2006.
05 June 2006 [ full story ]
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NSW Government sets up local government consultative committee
In a move that the ASU supports, the NSW Government has set up a local government “Ministerial Advisory Council” for employers and unions to consider the big issues facing the sector.
05 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt official confirms penalty rates and shift allowances are being axed under IR laws
A senior Government official has confirmed that penalty rates, shift allowances and annual leave loading for employees have been abolished in a majority of new individual contracts (AWAs) registered under the Howard Government's new IR laws - leaving employees thousands of dollars worse off than they would be under an award, says the ACTU.
01 June 2006 [ full story ]
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Air New Zealand has no time for staff
After taking months to review the structure of ports across Australia, Air New Zealand has finally met with the ASU and JCC ports representatives to announce their decision on Tuesday 30 May 2006.
01 June 2006 [ full story ]
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May 2006 |
Spotlight says Govt’s new IR laws made them do it
Workers at Spotlight will be given a miserly two cents an hour pay increase in exchange for losing entitlements like penalty rates, rest breaks and overtime. The Australian-owned chain of fabric and homewares stores employs 6000 workers and rakes in over $600 million a year. But new staff will lose up to $90 a week under the terms of Spotlight's new AWA individual contracts.
31 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Water industry training package feedback wanted
Following recent extensive national industry consultation, the Water Training Package review project team is pleased to advise that the first batch of draft units of competency are now available for viewing and industry feedback. ASU members working in water areas are encouraged to participate.
30 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear
The ASUshop has new gear! Check out the bulletin for details including an autographed DVD of last November's rally and a raft of fascinating books on workplace issues.
30 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU & NCC say no to Canon
Lengthy negotiations at the Melbourne office of Canon over two days have produced a wage response from Canon which is not acceptable. Both the ASU and the NCC have rejected the offer from Canon.
26 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU meets with Qantas on job cuts
The first meeting of ASU representatives and Qantas management took place on 24th May 2006 about the 1,000 job cuts announced by CEO Geoff Dixon on 17 May 2006.
25 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Water industry skills advisory committee seeks nominations
The ASU has been asked to nominate a number of water industry employees to represent the union movement and water workers on a national water industry skills advisory committee. The role of the committee will be to provide advice on issues facing the water industry and the industry’s workers, including the skills demands of the industry.
23 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU meets with Chinese union delegation
A Chinese union delegation in Australia on a study tour has met with the ASU to discuss a range of industrial and social issues. The four officials who met with National Secretary Paul Slape are from Qinghuangdao City of the Hebei Province which is a two hour drive north east of Beijing. Apart from industry, Qinghuangdao in summer is a well known coastal resort.
22 May 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - May 22, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Ministerial Council on Energy - communiqué; Victorian rail investment welcomed; The Australia Institute; Address to union delegates meeting, Sydney; Howard Government urged to rule out NSW OH&S takeover (NSW); Child care inspections; Unions to protest visit by Australian PM, calling it an insult to labour; ASU members in sport and recreation invited to provide input on career recognition and skills improvement; More serious about child care; Unions push for wage increase in the face of rising costs for working families; No TAFE fees for childcare workers.
22 May 2006 [ full story ]
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We need to train our own workers
The ASU has been campaigning for increased employment in many of its industries including local government as well as the energy and water industry divisions. There are serious skills shortages in these industries that need to be addressed through investment in training and apprenticeships.
19 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Urgent meetings on staff sackings called at Qantas
Meetings of ASU members across Australia have been called to discuss and respond to the announcement by Qantas Management of plans to shed 1000 jobs in ASU areas before the end of the year.
18 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU officer elected to women’s association
Julie Griffiths, Director of Women, Child Care, Youth & Aged in the ASU-NSW LGCAEAU Branch (USU Branch) has been elected to the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (NSW) as City Vice President.
18 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Threats to ASU members at Air NZ
As a result of a number of meetings between the ASU, the JCC and Air New Zealand management, there have been a number of positions identified as being outsourced to a private operator, AMA (Airline Marketing Australia).
18 May 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - General Edition - May 17, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) seeks assistance; Queensland local government reform; New minimum standard of severance payments declared in South Australia; Skills and qualification recognition for members; National forum on skills shortages in local government; ACCC green light means alarm bells for child care sector (Fed); $32 million upgrade to country rail infrastructure (NSW).
17 May 2006 [ full story ]
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A global look at aviation
On 9th & 10th May 2006 ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White attended the 2006 International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) “Alliance Strategy Conference” hosted at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ (IAM) Headquarters in Washington DC.
17 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas backs down on testing – for now
Two weeks ago, Qantas sent out an intranet advice to staff saying that Qantas intended to commence random testing for alcohol and other drug use, to comply with new Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations. The Company also wrote to the ASU and other unions at Qantas.
17 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA raffle closes soon
There are just two weeks to go before the 2006 annual Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA raffle closes on June 1! Have you got your tickets? Have you returned your sold books?
17 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Emirates EBA vote announced
Although the ASU recommended a “No” vote on 9th May, Emirates management advised staff that the majority of staff who voted had approved the Enterprise Agreement. As requested by our members, the ASU has asked Emirates for a breakdown of the results and we await this advice.
16 May 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - Child Care Budget 2006 Edition - May 16, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This is a Special Child Care Budget 2006 edition that contains the following items: Senator Lundy speaks on child care; Howard Government has given up on child care; No fix for child care despite Government promises – Democrats; Federal Budget: no new child care places for Territory families (NT); Costello Budget fails on childcare affordability; Poorer families 'miss out' on childcare – The Age newspaper, May 10, 2006; Unlimited places, but industry asks where the staff are - The Sydney Morning Herald, May 11, 2006.
16 May 2006 [ full story ]
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TNT Logistics sell off may affect workers' entitlements
TNT NV (one of the big four international ‘integrators’ alongside DHL, FedEx and UPS) has determined to sell off their Logistics unit. The ASU is encouraging members to join the "Justice at TNT" campaign in support of TNT workers' rights.
16 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU challenges top safety bureaucrat
The ASU has challenged newly appointed Chair of the Australian Safety & Compensation Council (“ASCC”), Bill Scales, about his views on the future of workers compensation.
15 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 44
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 44) is now available on this website. This Update clarifies a number of issues in relation to the payment of the fifth dividend.
15 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Unions push for wage increase in the face of rising costs for working families
Unions will today (Monday) press ahead with claims for a 4% lift in wages for more than one million low paid workers, arguing that an immediate pay rise is needed to cover spiralling petrol, interest rate, and other price rises that are hurting working families.
15 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU members in sport and recreation invited to provide input on career recognition and skills improvement
The ASU has been a long supporter of skills and qualification recognition for members. It not only helps the community in many ways, but makes workplaces safer and increases career advancement, helps stop contracting-out, increases job security, helps provide quality public services and much more. ASU members in the Sport, Recreation, Tourism and Entertainment sectors are having their training packages reviewed to include a new diploma qualification in event management. The review will allow ASU members to have input into the process.
11 May 2006 [ full story ]
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National forum on skills shortages in local government
The ASU recently spoke at a conference of local government industry employers and government from throughout Australia and New Zealand on the need for employment and training of skilled workers to address the critical skills shortages that is now facing local government.
11 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Calling young writers and visual artists...
Do you know any young aspiring artists and writers? If yes, forward this news to them. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is calling for young Australians between the ages of 11 and 18 to enter the 'Human Writes' personal essay and 'Rights in Perspective' art competitions. The two competitions were first held last year, as part of the Young People and Human Rights Dialogue project. The resulting report, ‘Rights of Passage’, provided a unique insight into what young Australian’s think and feel about human rights.
11 May 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - May 10, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This is a Special Budget 2006 edition that contains information about: Local Council grants funding up $58.7 million; Family Day Care and Outside School Hours Care places uncapped; Infrastructure gets more money, but mainly for roads; Small changes in energy and water.
10 May 2006 [ full story ]
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IR laws add pressure on working families - new ABS data
The ACTU has accused the Howard Government of being too focussed on the needs of high income earners and big corporations and is calling on the Government to give far greater priority to easing the pressure on working families in today's Federal Budget. John Howard and Peter Costello's economic management may be keeping corporate profits and share prices at record highs but the household budgets of working families are under more pressure than ever the ACTU said.
09 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules now under review by Standards Australia
As well as being obviously relevant to ASU members in the energy industry, this review may also affect workers in local government, the water and railway industries. The Wiring Rules are about ensuring the health and safety of workers and has led to a reduction in the incidence of electrical accidents. The review intends to ensure these decreases continue. The new drafts are available for public comment until 30 June 2006.
08 May 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - May 8, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: New changes to occupational health and safety in NSW; Govt's new independent contractors law another free kick for big business; Harper admits the minimum wage can go down in real terms; WA – no Government intention to forcibly amalgamate local governments.
08 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Don’t just cop it, tell someone who cares!
To ensure that the Howard Government is held to account for the introduction of its draconian industrial relations laws, it is crucial that those who are facing its adverse effects speak up. It doesn’t have to go all the way to the nightly news, but don’t just cop the erosion of your rights at work, there’s lots of different avenues for you to speak up.
08 May 2006 [ full story ]
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NSW Government takes steps to protect workers’ health and safety
The NSW Government has introduced changes to occupational health and safety (OHS) laws to protect workers. After a 10 month review and a focus on safety results, the changes require employers and employees to consult on OHS matters.
08 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Eight Hour Day: celebrate 150 years of work, rest and play
Although the official 150th anniversary of the Eight Hour Day was April 21, 2006, commemorative events have been running since late last year and some will still be on until late this year. There are plenty of ways to remember this historic victory, not least through being part of the struggle against the new Federal IR legislation introduced just over a month ago!
07 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Competition for students: rhyme your rights at work
Do you know any school students? If so, let them know about the latest Worksite for Schools competition. It's about students' work stories. What do students do at work? Who do they meet? Is it fun? What is a union's role? Worksite wants to know students' thoughts and views on work and workers' rights.
07 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt's new independent contractors law another free kick for big business
The Howard Government's proposed new 'Independent Contractors' law will
further undermine the job security of working Australians by making it
easier for big businesses to replace existing workers with so-called
independent contractors says the ACTU.
05 May 2006 [ full story ]
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WTO and GATS update
The latest news on World Trade Organisation (WTO) activities and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) show once again that the ASU must monitor these areas to ensure our workers are protected in the future. In this update we circulate news indicating that essential services, an area in which many ASU members work, may compulsorily be added to GATS, thus undermining individual countries’ abilities to regulate them.
05 May 2006 [ full story ]
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SA: ASU members at Onkaparinga Council take their message to elected members & CEO
Congratulations to ASU members who took a step earlier this week to secure their rights at work and a fair wage increase. ASU members, joined by community members and members of other unions, held a meeting outside the Onkaparinga Council meeting; by standing together en masse the CEO and elected members got the message that Onkaparinga staff are prepared to work together towards fairness.
05 May 2006 [ full story ]
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The Alternative World Water Forum in Mexico
The Alternative World Water Forum has called on governments to ensure that the management and control of water must be public, social, cooperative, participatory, equitable and not for profit. In conjunction, the call has gone out to reject private public partnerships.
04 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Stop Press – Qantas announce random drug & alcohol testing
The Federal Government has recently announced the introduction of new Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations governing drug and alcohol testing for aviation workers.
03 May 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU welcomes Kim Beazley's speech
Paul Slape, ASU National Secretary, has welcomed a speech by the Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley given to a May Day rally in Brisbane yesterday in which he pledged an ALP Federal Government would "rip up" the new industrial relations laws introduced by the Coalition Government of John Howard.
02 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard Govt IR laws will hurt workplace health and safety
The ACTU has called on the Howard Government to repeal the sections of its new industrial relations laws that ban workplace agreements from giving workers leave to attend union-provided health and safety training or meetings.
02 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 43
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 43) is now available on this website. This Update provides information relating to the payment of the fifth dividend. The Update is also available here for download.
01 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Negotiations continue @ Canon
Negotiations continued for the new Canon Australia Pty Ltd (Technical Consultants) Agreement at North Ryde over 27 and 28 April 2006. The negotiations continue to be an amalgamation of ASU and NCC claims and Canon responses.
01 May 2006 [ full story ]
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Bosses told to "blame Government" for IR law changes
Employer organisations are urging their members to shift the blame for the new industrial relations laws onto the Howard Government, the ACTU said today. ACTU President Sharan Burrow said that the advice by Australian Business Limited advises employers how to explain the changes to staff and endorses a 'Blame the Government' approach when explaining to workers why their rights were being taken away.
01 May 2006 [ full story ]
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April 2006 |
Comprehensive report on energy industry confirms under-resourcing and skills shortages
The most critical statement on the Australian energy industry for many years has now been completed. The study was undertaken as an industry project involving the ASU and other industry unions, and was conducted by the joint industry training and skills organisation, EE-Oz Training Standards. The report confirms the ASU position that the industry in under-resourced and the skills shortages need to be urgently addressed. The report also confirms the ASU position that skills shortages are across the whole industry, and that resolving them needs to include the employment of administrative support staff, professional, paraprofessional, non trades, and trades workers.
27 April 2006 [ full story ]
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When you are working to live, the last thing you want is to die at work
April 28 is a day the international labour movement has recognised for many years as the day to commemorate those workers who die or are injured while at work. This year, the message is “union workplaces – safe workplaces”. A central activity of trade unions is to advocate for safe workplaces and practices and to ensure that each workplace has trained Occupational Health and Safety representatives who have the power to act decisively when problems are discovered. Having a unionised workplace means you will be safer at work.
27 April 2006 [ full story ]
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May Day 2006: a time to think about the fight ahead to save the gains made by generations past
May Day is a time to celebrate and reflect for all workers. In 2006 in particular, the introduction of Howard’s new industrial relations legislation has made us all ponder the hard fought for gains of generations past being reversed. It is only with redoubled collective action that can we hope to protect our rights at work – they are worth fighting for! Details of some of the May Day events being held around the country are listed below, along with some history of how the day originated.
27 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Second ballot required for Emirates Agreement
The announcement from HR Manager Marie Davis that the Emirates Enterprise Agreement was voted up occurred on Friday 21 April. On Monday 24 April Emirates sent an email to all staff advising that another ballot was necessary because the “ASU had threatened legal proceedings” because of “technical issues”. The ASU’s lawyers Slater & Gordon did write to Emirates on Friday about a number of significant concerns with the proposed Agreement. These were not mere “technical matters” but in the view of Slater & Gordon represented serious legal deficiencies.
26 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Have you bought a Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA raffle ticket yet?
The 2006 Annual Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Raffle is well under way. Remember to do your bit for workers in developing countries and buy your tickets for the raffle. All proceeds assist Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, the ACTU’s overseas aid agency, to provide education, training and skills to workers in developing countries, so that they may obtain full, productive and decent work.
20 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Inter-Governmental Agreement recognises local governments’ rights and requirements
The Federal Government, representatives of local government, including the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and state governments have agreed to a “framework agreement” that recognizes the need for local government to be consulted and funded to undertake services on behalf of federal or state governments.
19 April 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - April 18, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Local government cost shifting agreement reached; Standards Australia's Committee on Electrical Energy Networks, Construction and Operation.
18 April 2006 [ full story ]
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International unions say it's right to campaign against privatisation
The ICFTU, the international trade union confederation, has published a report on how unions can fight back against the policies of the IMF and World Bank. They have documented case studies of resistance in all parts of the world. The report makes clear that resistance to liberalisation and privatisation is possible, can be successful and that unions all over the world fight the same neo-liberal ideology.
18 April 2006 [ full story ]
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PSI Health & Social Services Bulletin for the Asia-Pacific Region
The Public Services International (PSI) has released a local bulletin targeting the public health and social services sector. The bulletin is produced in cooperation with the New Zealand. Current issues in the bulletin include: South East Asia Women’s Project on Gender Equality in the Health Sector; Australia - Review of Awards; World Bank - Health Aid is Failing the Poor; Avian Flu Update; Fiji - Nurses Fear Island Posting; Fiji - High Death Rate Among Nurses Raises Alarm; Thailand - UN Children’s Committee Warns About Impact of FTAs on Children’s Rights; Sri Lanka - Health Workers Demand Reinstatement; PNG - Hospital Workers Strike over Management Appointments; Sri Lanka - Hospital Workers Demonstrate; PNG - Nurses Forced Back to Work; Sri Lanka - Medical Officers and Health Workers Strike.
13 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Bargaining underway @ Canon
The second full meeting for bargaining a new agreement for Technicians at Canon occurred at the North Ryde offices, Wednesday 12 April 2006. Present at the bargaining table were NCC representatives, ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo, ASU NSW & ACT Services Branch Organiser Bill Croslow and Canon management.
13 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt's new laws hit more workers, but public pressure helps!
Optus is the latest company to use the new IR laws to sack part of its workforce and ask them to reapply for their jobs. Seventy workers will be affected across the country. Whilst the Govt has caved in after public scrutiny of its pursuit of fines from workers in Queensland who had engaged in industrial action last year. These workers had taken action after being forced to take accommodation at a worksite infested with feral cats, fleas and raw sewage.
12 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Update on United Airlines sackings
ASU representatives met with Stephen Pearse and Linda Clinch of United Airlines on Thursday 6 April 2006 to further discuss the Company’s decision to outsource airport check-in and reservations in Australia.
11 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Penalty rates for weekends & public holidays threatened by new IR laws
Employers have started to use the new IR laws to abolish weekend and public holiday penalty rates for workers and this will lead to a sharp drop in take home pay for workers in the hospitality and retail industries says the ACTU. Reports in today's newspapers show that a young worker in a Juice Bar has seen her pay for a seven hour shift cut by $40 a day because her employment has shifted to an individual contract (AWA).
10 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard breaks sick leave promise as IR Minister makes Department workers get doctor's certificate for single day absences
John Howard and Kevin Andrews have broken their promise that under their new industrial relations laws Australian workers would not be required to provide a medical certificate from a doctor each time they claimed a single day of sick leave. When unions raised concerns about the new sick leave rules in the Government's IR laws in November last year the Prime Minister and Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews accused the ACTU of lying.
06 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 42 and Sixth Report to Creditors
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 42) is now available on this website. This Update provides an Executive Summary of the Sixth Report to Creditors, which is also available here for download.
04 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Abattoir workers reinstated in Govt bid to avoid scrutiny of sacking for 'operational reasons' under new IR laws
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said the Federal Government's new work laws were to blame for the terrible situation that the workers at the Cowra Abattoir had been put through. Mr Combet said it was good news that the workers would get their jobs back but the fact remained that it was legal to act as the company had done.
04 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 41
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 41) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the Administrators' Pooling Application to the Federal Court.
03 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Child care is about quality for kids
As Australia’s largest public sector child care union, the ASU has welcomed a report by the The Australia Institute (TAI), a Canberra based research centre, on the quality of child care in Australia. TAI’s research has questioned the quality of care provided by the “for profit sector” when compared against the community based services like local government.
03 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Update on Water Training Package Review
The project team have had an amazing response from the Water Industry with an excellent cross section of the industry represented at the recent Training Package review workshops held in Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart and Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Worksite visits to undertake in depth functional analysis are currently being conducted in ACT ,NT, Vic and Tasmania.
03 April 2006 [ full story ]
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Mardi Gras union parade entry wins award
The Workers Out! entry in the 2006 Mardi Gras Parade was last night awarded the Most Outstanding Political Comment Award for our parade entry.
03 April 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - April 3, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public sector news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Privatisation and outsourcing slash public sector workforce; WA State Government to bolster employment conditions; Local government's share of tax falling further behind; Rail Campaign - International Rail Safety Day; Child Care is about quality for kids.
03 April 2006 [ full story ]
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March 2006 |
Community Sector Solidarity
Community Sector Solidarity is a recently formed activist group drawing together passionate individuals from across the social & community services and union movement. To date a couple of meetings have been held, with plans beginning for broad education & action across the community sector being discussed. If you feel that the recent Federal Government Industrial Relations changes are wrong: for you; for your friends and family; for the people you work with or represent on a daily basis in your working life, come along to the next meeting on April 12 and get involved.
31 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt dodges truth about sackings: no reason needed to sack workers under new IR laws
The Howard Government is dodging the truth about the real impact of the new industrial relations laws by failing to explain to the Australian public that workers can now be sacked for no reason whatsoever.
29 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Emirates EBA changes sick leave entitlements
Yesterday in our bulletin about the Emirates EBA we highlighted a number of reasons why staff should vote "no" when voting commences for the new EBA on 4th April 2006. Let’s be clear though, the things that we highlighted are not the only ways the EBA is worse than the current Overseas Airlines Award conditions; there are more things that have been cut out or varied. The following are important changes in the EBA from what you previously had.
29 March 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU recommends a NO vote at Emirates
As everyone at Emirates now knows, the Company put out a non union EBA for vote by staff on Wednesday 22 March 2006. The Company did this without coming back to staff justifying their offer or even asking for feedback or engaging in negotiation with staff or your Union.
28 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers turn to trade unions in face of Howard Govt IR changes
A significant lift in union membership in the past year is a further sign of the widespread community concern over the Howard Government's new industrial relations reforms says the ACTU.
28 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard Govt governs for big business, not working families: poll
New research conducted by the Australian Council of Trade Unions shows that the public are deeply opposed to the Howard Government's new IR laws, and that the community believe the laws show the Government is acting in the interests of big business over the rights of Australian working families.
27 March 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - March 24, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public sector news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: World Water Day - 22 March 2006; Rail Campaign - International Rail Safety Day Monday 27th March 2006; Cyclone Larry: LGAQ calls for engineers, health officers; The Labor Party has pledged to "redefine the partnership between the Commonwealth and local government".
24 March 2006 [ full story ]
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PM insensitive to widespread concern over job security: contrasts with ALP
The ACTU has condemned the Prime Minister's comments regarding unfair dismissal on radio today as insensitive to widespread public concern over the lack of job security under the Government's new industrial relations laws.
24 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Not with a whimper, but with a bang!
The ASU’s officers and staff have been working flat out to protect members from the impact of the Howard Government’s extreme industrial laws that take effect on Monday 27th March 2006.
24 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Rail safety in Australia means more that just preventing accidents
The Australian Services Union, which represents operational, support and administrative staff in Australia’s rail and public transport networks, has called on all Australian Governments – Federal and State - to adopt a comprehensive approach to safety, as part of the Union’s participation in International Rail Safety Day on March 27th.
24 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 40
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 40) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the issue of pooling.
23 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Big business will also be able to sack staff unfairly under Government's new IR laws says leading law firm
Australia's largest companies, as well as businesses with less than 100 staff, will be free to unfairly dismiss any worker under the Howard Government's new industrial relations laws according to a leading law firm.
23 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Cyclone Larry: LGAQ calls for engineers, health officers
Local government in Queensland has been at the forefront of the response to the devastation caused to communities in the far north of the state by Cyclone Larry. The Local Government Association of Queensland deployed specialised staff the region before the cyclone hit the coast on Monday morning.
22 March 2006 [ full story ]
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World Water Day - 22 March 2006
The ASU Water Industry Division Committee is calling upon Branches and members of the Union, to support the right of communities to access water and to acknowledge the rights of water industry workers on World Water Day, 22nd March 2006.
22 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Rock for Your Rights at Work!
The Australian Services Union, Queensland Services Branch in collaboration with MusicOz has organised a gig to promote the ‘Your Rights at Work’ campaign and celebrate Youth Week.
22 March 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - Jan-Feb 2006
The current edition includes contributions by our energy & water colleagues. Issues covered include: World Water Day 22 March 2006; Tasmanian electricity industry; Asian development bank financing the PNG; Australia GAS pipeline; Pay Equity Now!; Pakistan Earthquake Relief Fund; and more.
21 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Federal Court decision on pooling imminent at Ansett
We have been advised by the ACTU that the Federal Court will hand down its decision on the pooling application by the Ansett Administrators in Melbourne on Wednesday 22 March 2006.
21 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Employers win right to undercut minimum wage in new IR laws: Regional workers most at risk
The Federal Government has broken its promise to protect minimum wages with employers winning a new right to pay workers less than the federal minimum wage of $12.75 an hour during periods when business is slow says the ACTU.
21 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Government continues to attack worker rights
The Howard Government’s new Workplace Regulations released yesterday extend the attack on workers rights which began last year, says ASU National Secretary Paul Slape. “The Regulations, taken with the extreme laws guillotined through Parliament last year, are a fundamental attack on the right of workers to act collectively to maintain and improve their wages and working conditions”, Paul says.
21 March 2006 [ full story ]
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IR law regulations confirm big new fines for workers and crackdown on unions
Details of harsh new Federal Government fines and penalties for workers and unions and a crackdown on union activity in the workplace have been revealed by Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews who today released details of regulations relating to the Government’s new industrial relations laws.
20 March 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU members express anger at United
ASU Assistant National Secretary, Linda White, and ASU delegates will meet with United Airlines this afternoon to discuss United’s decision to sack its Australian workforce.
17 March 2006 [ full story ]
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QFCL decision not far away
ASU reps met with Qantas management on 9 March 2006 to discuss the progress of the review of Qantas Flight Catering Limited, which is currently being undertaken by the Company.
16 March 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - March 14, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public sector news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Federal -Local Government; Electricity skills shortages report now with ASU Electricity/Energy; Child Care; NSW public services forced redundancies hit a snag for the government; Tasmanian electricity industry.
14 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Northern Territory SACS members protect their conditions
ASU members employed in Darwin at the Northern Territory Working Womens Centre (NT WWC)and at Carers Northern Territory have this month successfully completed enterprise bargaining negotiations with their employers and protected their employment conditions by having their enterprise agreements certified in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) prior to the Federal Government’s new so called WorkChoices Legilsation being proclaimed.
14 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Qantas seeks pay and condition cuts
Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon has welcomed the Howard Government’s cuts to workers rights and conditions and has stated that he will ensure Qantas uses the new laws.
14 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Vote "NO" at NCR!
NCR says they can go no further! NCR says they really want to do an agreement with you but not the union! NCR says they have no room to move but maybe they could talk about a few things.
11 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Government plans "another wave" of IR changes if re-elected - more working conditions to go
The Howard Government will embark on "another wave" of radical industrial changes if they win the next federal election, despite the fact that the majority of Australians were fundamentally opposed to the new laws, it has been revealed. In a leaked recording, the Government leader in the Senate apologised that the Liberals’ radical industrial relations laws did not go far enough.
10 March 2006 [ full story ]
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"Serving the public" bulletin - March 9, 2006
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public sector news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Make your employment contract work; ASU WorkChoices bargaining kit; Local government: do they get the GST?; ASU campaigning against Private Public Partnerships (PPPs).
09 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Queers in Unions a hit at Mardi Gras 2006
The 2006 New Mardi Gras parade has been the most successful in years. ASU members, friends and family joined together to participate in the Queers in Unions float. The float was a combination of unionists and their families from all unions and all corners of the country.
09 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Happy International Women’s Day 2006!
ASU women around the country should seek out activities to join in the celebration of where women have come from and look to the road ahead.
08 March 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU reps to meet Qantas on Catering and Maintenance
ASU reps have two key meetings with Qantas management tomorrow (Thursday 9 March 2006) to discuss the company's plans for Catering and Maintenance.
08 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 39
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 39) is now available on this website. This Update provides information in relation to the issue of pooling.
03 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Virgin Blue EBA: Frequently Asked Questions
How does the EBA affect the back-pay claim? Is the EBA any good? How will the vote happen? Will it be dodgy like last time?
03 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers in the public services say there is an alternative
Workers in local government, energy-electricity, water, railways & public transport and state and federal government services, are forming alliances and campaigning globally against the privatisation of public services. We have seen in recent years how the World Trade Organisation (WTO) through trade agreements like the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) has tried to encourage the contracting out of services. The new campaign to get a General Agreement on Public Services (GAPS) is all about ensuring that quality public services are the goal.
02 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Bakers Delight workers lose sick leave, annual leave and penalty rates
A newspaper report today shows that young workers at Bakers Delight outlets in regional Victoria are losing their paid sick leave and annual leave entitlements for as little as 75 cents an hour.
02 March 2006 [ full story ]
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International research unit releases energy industry reports for 2005
As an affiliate of the Public Services International (PSI), the ASU receives valuable research reports from the PSI’s specialist research unit, the PSIRU. Attached are their comprehensive 2005 reports spanning the energy industry in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
01 March 2006 [ full story ]
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Howard sends women’s worth backwards!
The Australian Bureau for Statistics (ABS) has released data this week which shows the pay gap between males and females has widened nearly 5 per cent in real terms since 1995. Even though there are more women in the labour market than ever before, and women’s wages are slowly rising, the gender wage gap continues to grow.
01 March 2006 [ full story ]
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February 2006 |
A message from Greg Combet: the Rights at Work campaign continues
Your hard work turned the tide of the nation's opinion. The November 15 rallies were an unprecedented show of community strength. But the Howard Government ignored the overwhelming public opposition to WorkChoices. Our campaign does not end with the passage of these unfair laws.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Your queer rights at work
Join the Workers Out! 2006 Mardi Gras float! The combined union movement is again taking part in the New Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney on Saturday 4 March 2006.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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What’s going on with the backpay at Menzies?
As most members would be aware, the Customer Service Employees (Menzies Aviation) Enterprise Agreement 2005 was certified by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on Wednesday 25th January 2006. There were a number of payments to be made upon certification of this Agreement – we have been advised by Menzies, by email as reproduced below, the timing of these payments.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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AIRC says Tax Officers can have support
The ASU has won another important victory for tax officers in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC). It confirms their right to have a support person with them when meeting with management to discuss fitness for duty or rehabilitation from injury. Furthermore, when that support person is a member of staff, they are entitled to be released from duty with pay for the duration of the interview, to prepare for the interview and to debrief afterwards.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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“Politics in the Pub” invites ASU to talk about PPPs
The ASU’s campaign on the issue of Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) found a new audience on Friday, February 17, with the ASU addressing around 200 concerned community members at the regular Sydney forum “Politics in the Pub”.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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International Women's Day 2006
Wednesday 8 March is International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD has traditionally been the day women around the world celebrate the achievements of our sisters struggling before us and look ahead along the road we are yet to travel.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Protected Industrial Action continues at NCR
ASU members commenced protected industrial action across NCR from Wednesday 22 February 2006. The action consisted of members walking off the job and implementing ongoing actions including bans on overtime and call-outs.
27 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Dixon presents unions with ½ yearly profit report
ASU Delegates from QBT Melbourne, Telephone Sales Hobart, SIT, Brisbane Telephone Sales and Engineering and Maintenance Melbourne, along with ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo attended the presentation by Geoff Dixon about last week’s Qantas half yearly profit announcement.
23 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Urban transport workers meet to discuss common problems
Violence at work, multi-national companies and threats of privatisation of government-provided services were the key themes of a recent international meeting of unions with members employed in urban transport around the world.
22 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers facing 20% pay cut and no RDOs shows reality of new IR laws
Workers at a Melbourne company are facing a 20% drop in pay and the loss of RDOs and other entitlements as their employer begins to use the Howard Government's new IR laws.
22 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU National Energy Division to meet In Hobart in May
The ASU National Energy/Electricity Division Committee will meet in Hobart in May 2006 for two days to discuss current issues affecting energy workers in Australia.
21 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU briefs ALP on child care issues
As the major union representing public sector child care workers, the ASU recognises the need to keep child care firmly in the forefront of the federal political agenda. With this in mind, the Union has met with the ALP Shadow Minister for Child Care, Youth and Women, Tanya Plibersek. Issues covered included child care centres, family day care and related matters.
21 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Emirates EBA progress report from your ASU Team
Congratulations to everyone for speaking up! Last Tuesday's consultation meetings with the company about the EBA were very vocal with many members and staff staying focused on the main issues and asking the tough questions. Everyone's contribution was important to let the company know that you are serious, united and deserving of a good agreement. The petition, which was completed by staff around Australia, was also handed up during these meetings.
20 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Private partnership rejected by Victorian council
Victorian council, City of Greater Dandenong, had been considering a strategic service partnership with a private company. This would have led to most administrative service staff being placed in a partnership jointly run by Council and the private company. After approaches by the ASU, the Council has rejected the proposal.
17 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Virgin EBA update
While there has been much talk about the EBA proposed settlement this week, many are still unsure of the exact terms that are being proposed.
16 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU calls for release of Iranian public transport workers from prison
Over 1000 trade unionists have been imprisoned in Iran for supporting their organisation. The ASU, along with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and other unions around the world, is protesting the actions of the Iranian Government against its own citizens, and encouraging ASU members to show solidarity.
14 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU supports the 2006 Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA Raffle
If you believe that every human being has a right to dignity, then here’s your chance to do something about it. The proceeds from the Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA 2006 raffle will be used to provide education, training and skills to workers in developing countries. Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA believes every human being has a right to decent work. By supporting them you are supporting social justice and solidarity in a very practical way.
13 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Govt 'review' threatens award rates of pay for thousands of jobs
An 'Award Review Taskforce' set up by the Howard Government under its new industrial relations laws is examining a new proposal to cut Award rates of pay for hundreds of thousands of skilled Australian workers the ACTU said yesterday.
10 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU represented on ALP Infrastructure & Public Private Partnerships Committee
The ASU will be represented on the ALP’s Infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) Committee, one of only three unions with a spot. As the only public sector union on the Committee, the ASU will be especially concerned with representing the needs of our members in these areas. The ALP has constituted the Committee to conduct “an inquiry into Australia's infrastructure needs, and how best to finance the infrastructure that will deliver sustained economic growth”.
06 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Workers vulnerable to losing wages & conditions under Govt review of awards
In a submission to a Howard Government–appointed Taskforce released today, the ACTU strongly supports keeping intact Australia’s award safety net, arguing that a massive reduction in industrial awards will lead to lower wages and conditions for millions of workers.
06 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Menzies EBA certified
The ASU Menzies Aviation EBA was approved by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 25 January 2006 after it had been endorsed by staff late last year.
06 February 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU recommends vote Yes
Members at The Smith Family should have by now received a final copy of the proposed further Certified Agreement regarding salary structures for Community Program roles.
03 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Mardi Gras 2006
Saturday 4 March 2006 is Mardi Gras parade day. This year the ASU is going all out in the parade to show the LGBTI community and all Australians why it is important to be an active union member.
02 February 2006 [ full story ]
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A message to Virgin Blue Shareholders
The Virgin Blue Annual General meeting is on Tuesday 7 February 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen Street, Brisbane at 2:00pm EST.
02 February 2006 [ full story ]
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You’re invited! Come to the AIRC to hear about the Virgin Blue EBA negotiations!
The ASU has sought another hearing in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to assist in ensuring that our members’ interests are protected and advanced in the current EBA negotiations.
02 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia pay day changes continue to be negotiated
The ASU met with Mission Australia representatives before Christmas to stop the implementation of the new pay system over the Christmas break.
01 February 2006 [ full story ]
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Water Industry Training Package Review Project Update
The Water Industry Training Package Review project team will be conducting a round of national consultation workshops during the months of February and March.
01 February 2006 [ full story ]
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AIRC directs Virgin Blue to talk to ASU - Backpay claim
At our hearing at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission yesterday, Commissioner Whelan directed Virgin Blue to meet with the ASU to discuss the back pay claim. This is despite Virgin Blue’s attempts to have this matter delayed.
01 February 2006 [ full story ]
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January 2006 |
Virgin Blue recognises ASU representation – but still not a party to the EBA
Virgin Blue has now made a significant concession that the ASU has a right to represent our members under current and future EBAs, whether or not the Union is a party to a new agreement.
27 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Emirates slow response on EBA
Emirates representatives have still not given us a clear response on when staff can expect a reply to your claims for a new EBA.
27 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Back pay claim in AIRC next week – Register your claim now
As many of you would know, the ASU has lodged a claim in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission about the back pay issue. This was because Virgin Blue refused to provide any meaningful information to us saying that “In relation to the matter you have raised, Virgin Blue and the TWU as parties to the Ground Crew Agreement have had a number of meaningful discussions and these are ongoing. Our employees are aware of the matter."
25 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Avian flu and transport: Background briefing from the ITF
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) is distributing information on avian flu to its affiliated trade unions like the ASU and encouraging transport workers to begin a dialogue with their employers on how the disease may affect transport modes and workers should it appear in further areas.
23 January 2006 [ full story ]
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AaE staff endorse Pre-WorkChoices EBA
In a resounding endorsement of the ASU’s strategy to finalise pre WorkChoices EBAs with AaE, we can now report that AaE staff have approved the new EBAs for On Airport and Off Airport Staff at Australian Air Express in separate votes for each EBA. 92.3% of the staff who voted in the On Airport EBA ballot voted yes, while in the Off Airport EBA ballot 85.7% approved the agreement.
20 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Former ASU official to Chair IR Taskforce
Brendan O’Connor Federal Member for Gorton, a former ASU Assistant National Secretary is chairing the Labor IR Taskforce which has begun inquiring into the adverse effects of the Howard Government’s Work Choices legislation on families and communities.
19 January 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU NSW NCR draft tabled
As you are aware, the Delegates and members in NSW have developed a draft document to present to NCR in response to their draft and to put detail to our Log of Claims items. The draft has been reviewed by Delegates around the country and they agreed nationally that the draft should be the national ASU commensurate position.
17 January 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU calls for increased local government responsibility for child care services
The Australian Services Union believes that local government should provide more child care services to the community with the financial support of state and federal governments.
17 January 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin, December 2005
The latest joint ASU-PSI utilities bulletin, December edition, has now been circulated to the regular industry delegates and activists.
13 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Virgin Blue fail to explain EBA
ASU representatives Linda White and Julie Bignell met with Virgin Blue lawyer Robert Cook and Virgin Blue HR Manager Greg Shaw in Brisbane on Wednesday 11 January 2006 following the recommendation of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in December 2005 that the ASU and Virgin Blue should meet about the new EBA.
13 January 2006 [ full story ]
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First NCR EBA meeting for 2006
Negotiations continued as planned Tuesday, 10 January. 2006 with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, 12 January. The focus of the meeting was to work through a ‘draft’ set of clauses from NCR which in part attempts to address some of the ASU Log of Claims items and also formally puts some of the claims of NCR on the negotiating table.
11 January 2006 [ full story ]
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100% vote YES in Virgin Blue ballot!
Congratulations to all who voted in the recent Virgin Blue ballot – there was 100% support for the ASU being involved in the EBA negotiations and being a party to the EBA! This is a fantastic result and means it will be all the more difficult for Virgin Blue management to claim that “no-one wants the ASU involved”. Clearly you do want your union, the ASU, to be involved in your EBA negotiations and to be a party to the EBA.
10 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Use surplus to rebuild Australia
The growing federal budget surplus should be used to rebuild Australia’s ageing infrastructure and to improve public services according to Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean.
09 January 2006 [ full story ]
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First meeting proceeds for Emirates EBA
On Friday 6th January 2006 your Union reps Linda White and Jo Katsoulas met with representatives from Emirates Human Resources Alexandra Maddison, Marie Davis and David Bryant to discuss the claims and process for the next Emirates EBA. These claims were forwarded to Dubai in November 2005 after extensive surveys and consultation with our members and staff at Emirates about what is most important for you.
09 January 2006 [ full story ]
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ASU recommends YES vote for AaE EBAs
Voting for the AaE ASU EBAs commences on Monday 9 January 2006 when ballot papers will be posted to staff at home by the independent organisation Elections Australia who will be conducting the EBA ballot.
06 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Virgin Blue provide EBA summary to ASU
As agreed at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Virgin Blue have now provided us with a summary of the EBA negotiations to date. We are advised that a summary of the EBA outcomes that Virgin Blue have agreed to are as follows:
05 January 2006 [ full story ]
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ALP Policy Debate on Urban Development, Housing and Local Government
The Australian Labor Party has released a discussion paper titled “Australia’s Future Cities - Labor’s Discussion Paper on Urban Development, Housing and Local Government", asking the ASU to comment on the policy.
04 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of International News items
For International News items dated earlier than 2006, please see the General News category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/general/. Some International News items relate specifically to one of our industries and therefore may appear in the relevant industry news category.
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of news items on NCR
For news items on NCR dated earlier than 2006, please see the general info tech news category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/infotech/ . For NCR news from 2006 onwards, see the NCR category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/infotech_ncr/
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of news items on The Smith Family
For news items on The Smith Family dated earlier than 2006, please see the general SACS news category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/sacs/ . For The Smith Family (TSF) news from 2006 onwards, see the TSF category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/sacs_tsf/
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of news items on Jetstar
For news items on Jetstar dated earlier than 2006, please see the Qantas news category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/airlines_qantas/ . For Jetstar news from 2006 onwards, see the Jetstar category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/airlines_jetstar/
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of Road Transport news items
For news items on Road Transport dated earlier than 2006, please see the general Transport & Travel news category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/transport_travel/ . For Road Transport news from 2006 onwards, see the category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/roadtransport/
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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Digest of news items on Canon
For news items on Canon dated earlier than 2006, please see the general info tech news category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/infotech/ . For Canon news from 2006 onwards, see the Canon category at: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/infotech_canon/
01 January 2006 [ full story ]
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