 |
|
|
2007 Archive
December 2007 |
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. It's a time to enjoy our families and friends and this year, for a change, enjoy the relief of knowing that WorkChoices will soon be no more!
24 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASUshop new gear
Before we get into this month’s newsletter and festive cheer, we’d like to extend a large THANK YOU to everyone who helped MAKE THE DIFFERENCE at the recent Federal Election, your support helped to show Parliament that our rights, our voice and our vote counts. We could not have done this without you and your support. To celebrate this achievement we have some commemorative limited edition pewter pins to mark the occasion.
21 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU members endorse Qantas EBA 8
ASU members at Qantas have voted overwhelmingly to endorse the EBA 8 deal negotiated by the ASU’s Qantas National Negotiating Team, following workplace meetings explaining the offer that have been held around Australia this month.
21 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Negotiations begin in earnest for Singapore Airlines new EBA
ENT members met with management on 19th December 2007 to discuss our Log of Claims and receive the Company’s claims. We were able to detail our claims and discuss the rationale and then hear the general response from the Company.
21 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Stop the sell-off
UnionsNSW and power industry delegates yesterday launched their campaign to 'Stop the Sell-Off' of the state's electricity industry proposed by the NSW Government
20 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Big business should follow Liberals lead - admit WorkChoices is dead and stop using AWAs
The ACTU has called on the business community to also admit WorkChoices is dead and to immediately stop pushing workers onto unfair AWA individual contracts, following the announcement of Liberal leader Brendan Nelson.
20 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
New job for IR extremist Peter Hendy in Liberal HQ shows WorkChoices still alive & kicking
The appointment of long-time industrial relations extremist, anti-union agitator and big business lobbyist Peter Hendy to Opposition leader Brendan Nelson’s office confirms that WorkChoices is still alive and kicking in the Liberal leadership says the ACTU.
20 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Attention Energy Members: STOP THE SELL OFF
The union movement is strongly opposed to the Iemma Government's announcement to privatise the electricity industry.
19 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
New unfair dismissal laws vital for fair workplaces: time for the Liberals to stop IR 'extremism'
The Liberal Party should accept that Australians have rejected their extreme approach to industrial relations and support Labor’s plan for new laws that will scrap WorkChoices and restore protection from unfair dismissal for Australian workers.
19 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - December 17, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Railway Industry Action Day; Child care is not a business; Local government - is it a corporation and if so, when; Labour website of the year - the voting begins; Industry Skills Councils; DEEWR News; Korean Migrant Workers Union leaders deported; T&G targets retailers; Penny a basket for tomato pickers too much for PE-owned Burger King; Going global from Washington; Global unions press for US worker rights.
17 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ansett Employee Update Number 52
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 52) is now available on this website. It provides information on payment of the ninth dividend and an update on current litigation.
13 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - December 12, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Unions praise workers who helped get rid of WorkChoices; Energy Unions & USU Branch meet in NSW with industry consultant; Calculating employees' super using ordinary time earnings; ITF condemns “fraudulent charges” against trade unionist; Promoting the participation agenda; Donating defibrillators for public places; Appointment of Departmental Secretaries.
12 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
11 valuable Canon employees forced out the door
Canon did not listen. Canon did not treat the employees they were making redundant with respect. Canon did not pay the employees they made forcibly redundant correctly.
11 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Liberals must accept responsibility for WorkChoices disaster: new figures on AWAs
Liberal leader Brendan Nelson and Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations Julie Bishop must accept that WorkChoices was a disaster with new figures from the Workplace Authority showing the so-called fairness test and AWA individual contracts are continuing to fail thousands of workers.
11 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
It’s time to negotiate a new EBA at Emirates
Your wages and conditions at Emirates are contained in an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). This EBA is due to expire on 31st December 2007.
10 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU National Net News - November 2007 Digest
Another federal election has come and gone, but this one meant a great deal more to Australians than any in a generation. Getting rid of the Coalition Government has been a victory for values over voracity: our rights are more important to us than unfettered greed.
10 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Employers should accept the Australian voters' rejection of AWAs and WorkChoices
Employers should accept the outcome of the federal election and immediately stop trying to push workers onto five year AWA individual contracts. BHP Billiton has been caught out trying to push its workers into signing AWAs despite the incoming Rudd Labor Government’s plan to abolish AWAs.
10 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
It is over to members to decide
Around 70 ASU Qantas delegates from around Australia met in Sydney on Thursday 6th December 2007 to discuss the Qantas EBA 8 offer that has been recommended by the ASU’s Qantas National Negotiating Team.
07 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Unions praise workers who helped get rid of WorkChoices
Workers who played a key role in helping get rid of WorkChoices were honoured by a formal vote of appreciation at yesterday's meeting of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive.
05 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - December 3, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: A Ministry to meet Australia’s future challenges; Rudd Government Ministry; ASU to meet with International Transport Workers’ Federation; Local government sport and recreation workers; Preferred tenderer announced for Rosehill recycled water scheme (NSW); Local govt praised on climate change and greenhouse leadership; Business and Liberals still haven’t heard voters’ message to abandon IR policies; Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA’s – the union movement’s overseas aid arm.
05 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
Canon gets it very wrong
Canon has advised the National Consultative Committee (NCC) of the final steps in their making redundant a number of technicians’ positions.
04 December 2007 [ full story ]
|
November 2007 |
ASU & NCC meet with Canon regarding job losses
The ASU met with Canon 14 November 2007 (Bulletin 16 November) to receive the news from Canon that there were impending job losses. Today,30 November 2007, the ASU and then the NCC were briefed by Canon on their intended next steps to commence the process for reducing the number of jobs in the BISG sector.
30 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
QantasLink (Eastern) will make an offer but only after you give up a piece of your pay!
Since 21 June 2007 negotiations have continued on your agreement and all we have heard from management is that they can offer you nothing until you give something up!
30 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Business and Liberals still haven’t heard voters’ message to abandon IR policies
There have been disturbing reports this week of employers moving to unfairly sack employees and lock workers onto lower-paid AWAs for five years prior to the incoming Labor Government scrapping AWAs and restoring protection from unfair dismissal said the ACTU.
30 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
QantasLink (Sunstate) make an offer
The scheduled negotiations for QantasLink (Sunstate) again took place in Sydney on Tuesday 27 November 2007.
30 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
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.
28 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU and unions pay tribute to Bernie Banton
The whole of the Australian union movement will be deeply saddened by the news that asbestos campaigner Bernie Banton has passed away said ACTU President Sharan Burrow and ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.
27 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Good bye WorkChoices
What a weekend. WorkChoices will soon be no more. On Saturday, Australians rejected a political coalition that viciously attacked our rights at work - and elected a party that promises to protect them.
26 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - November 26, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ALP wins in the federal election, now the real work starts in turning policy into action; Australians reject WorkChoices & the Liberals’ attack on unions & workers’ rights; PSI is calling on all affiliates to say NO to violence against women; Interview with Mansour Osanloo; Premier cops mutiny on the rails.
26 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Australians reject WorkChoices and the Liberals' attack on unions and workers' rights
The Australian public has totally rejected WorkChoices and the Liberal and National parties’ attack on unions and workers’ rights. This is an historic election result that confirms the Australian people believe in a fair go for all and that all Australian workers are entitled to decent rights in the workplace.
25 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
A Qantas EBA offer to recommend
The ASU Qantas National Negotiating Team (NNT) is set to recommend an offer for settlement of our Qantas EBA 8 Claims to a meeting of ASU delegates on Thursday 6 December 2007.
23 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - Water Edition - November 21, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Infrastructure; Labor’s national plan to tackle the water crisis; and Labor’s plan for water savings by large industrial users.
23 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - November 2007
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: ASU national electricity industry division; Australian Labor Party meets with ASU national electricity industry division; Australian unions facing an important political campaign; White Ribbon Day – November 25; Australia is introducing new electricity legislation; Report from PSI Congress – a new step forward for utilities; Pakistan - trade unionists arrested as unions call for restoration of democracy; National Consultation-Workshop on the Power Industry - Philippines; plus more.
23 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Help for more heart attack victims at hand
Millions of people are closer to emergency medical help from today thanks to a trade union.
22 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
On Nov 24, it's not just your future at stake, it's everyone's
What kind of Australia do you want to live in? The moment of truth arrives this Saturday, federal election day. It is the time when you can tell the politicians what you really think and this time they have to listen!
21 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
FOI hearing reveals smoking gun: PM's secret plan for another wave of IR changes
A Freedom of Information (FOI) hearing has confirmed the existence of secret Howard Government plans to go further on its WorkChoices industrial relations reforms.
20 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - November 19, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ASU & White Ribbon Day; Local Government and industrial relations; NACBCS – National Conference; Nowhere to go for hundreds of children as child-care centres close; Amendment to cut red tape for local councils (NSW); Standards Australia - electrical - energy networks construction & operation committee; New guides on sun safety in the workplace; Labor's broadband announcement; Holistic approach to heavy vehicle accreditation; Howard caught pork barrelling; plus more.
19 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tassie workers left high and dry by WorkChoices as local job rate falls
Job creation in Tasmania has dropped by half since the introduction of WorkChoices 19 months ago according to a new analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) employment data.
19 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Airport staff shortages at chronic levels
Last week Qantas customer service staff at Brisbane Domestic Airport were booed by customers as they left their counters to assist an elderly woman who collapsed in the Qantas Club queue.
19 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Abbott admits workers have lost protections under WorkChoices & won’t get them back
Senior Howard Government Minister Tony Abbott has admitted that protections for Australian workers have been stripped away by WorkChoices and they won’t be coming back under a re-elected Howard-Costello Government says the ACTU.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Liberals' secret agenda to slash apprentice wages
In an interview with the Messenger newspaper, Liberal candidate for the South Australian seat of Makin, Bob Day, has declared himself a member of the conservative HR Nichols Society and in favour of cutting the wages of apprentices.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Becoming an Industry: The Struggle of Social and Community Workers for Award Coverage, 1976-2001
The Journal of Industrial Relations (JIR) recently published a very good paper by Briggs, Meagher and Healy outlining the history behind social and community services workers achieving award coverage. Many may not realise that SACS workers had to fight hard to gain the same rights and treatment as other workers. The protracted battle to gain recognition was finally successful as recently as the 1990s by the Australian Social Welfare Union which is now a part of the ASU.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas drops EBA claims and starts negotiating
The EBA 8 meetings with Qantas on 18 October 2007 and 15 November 2007 have seen Qantas management abandon almost all of their original claims to cut or change key conditions which would have undermined the job security of staff.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
On November 25 help make violence against women a thing of the past
November 25 is United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In Australia, the White Ribbon Day campaign has made a call to action for all political parties to pledge their commitment to develop social policies to end violence against women in Australia. Both ASU Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean and ASU WA Branch Secretary Paul Burlinson are White Ribbon Day Ambassadors this year.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Canon announce significant job losses before Christmas
Canon national management made contact with the ASU on 14 November 2007 to advise that a series of meetings are being held with employees across Australia to announce a major restructure in the Business Imagining (BSIG) division of Canon. At this stage ASU members across Canon have no idea of exactly when or how many of them may lose their jobs and if their jobs will be gone before or after Christmas.
16 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Singapore Airlines converts all private health cover to MBF
Singapore Airlines announced yesterday at the Joint Consultative Committee meeting, Sydney that all company subsidised private health insurance will now be taken out with MBF.
15 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas Board to be questioned over job security
Qantas employee shareholders from across Australia will today ask the Qantas Board to guarantee their job security and working conditions when the company is soon split into four.
14 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
450,000 teachers, childcare & education workers could be next target for AWAs if Coalition re-elected
Australia’s 450,000 childcare workers, school teachers, TAFE and university staff could be the next target for AWA individual contracts under WorkChoices if the Howard Government is re-elected, say unions.
13 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - November 12, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Tasmania Government has released its long awaited report into WorkChoices; News web poll - IR and AWAs; CCOHS Guide to Fighting Workplace Violence; ITF Railway News; ASU – SPSF – CPSU – and the representatives of Fire, Police, Defence and Custodial Unions; New union TV ad highlights importance of preventing Liberals going further on IR; Union Aid Abroad; LGAQ opposes waste tax; Pakistan: Trade unionists arrested as unions call for restoration of democracy; plus more.
13 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Executive salaries go up 28% while wages for award workers fall under WorkChoices
New figures released today by the Australian Financial Review confirm the gap between high income earners and average workers is getting bigger under the Howard Government's WorkChoices says the ACTU, thanks to the seemingly unrestrained growth of indecent executive salaries and the effective pay cut suffered by award workers.
13 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
New union TV ad highlights importance of preventing Liberals going further on IR
Unions launched a new TV advertisement during the weekend that highlights the importance to working families of preventing John Howard and Peter Costello going further on WorkChoices after the election.
12 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Sticking it to WorkChoices
In the last week a whopping 20,000 of you told the Government where you stand on WorkChoices by filling in an online post-it note at the GetUp! website. Tomorrow (Friday, November 9) we'll be in North Sydney to plaster IR Minister Joe Hockey's office in our massive 'Know Where We Stand' post-it notes - and you are invited. And if you can’t make it there, we’ll be visiting several other electorates around the country!
08 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Hockey confirms WorkChoices will stay but refuses to release research on future plans
At the National Press Club yesterday Mr Hockey again refused to release potentially embarrassing research that was commissioned by the Howard Government earlier this year.
08 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
CEO gets $22 million bonus while award workers get real pay cut under WorkChoices
The fact that Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo will get a $22 million pay packet this year while one million working families will get a real pay cut of up to $800 shows the unfairness of the Howard Government’s WorkChoices IR laws said the ACTU.
08 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
John Howard’s hollow promise on IR
John Howard’s denial that he will not change WorkChoices is a hollow promise designed to get him through the election says the ACTU.
07 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Workers who support our community say no to WorkChoices
ASU members who are social and community workers, council workers and regional water workers workers came together in Belmont, Geelong, on Wednesday 7 November for “Workers Who Support Our Community Day”, because they are concerned about the impact of the Howard Government's IR laws on the support they are able to provide to the community.
07 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU National Net News - October 2007 Digest
Two million members. Plus their families. Plus all the retired members. Plus all the others who understand and support what we are about (there are more in this latter group than you might at first think, from all backgrounds). We are the workers who keep this country ticking along, regardless of how “minor” our jobs might seem.
06 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Real wages go backwards under WorkChoices: Harvester decision anniversary
A new ACTU analysis shows that the award wages for more than a million low paid workers have gone backwards by up to $15.67 a week — or $814 a year — in real terms under the Howard Government’s WorkChoices. The analysis shows that the pay rise that workers reliant on award minimum wages got in October by the Howard Government’s Fair Pay Commission did not meet increases in the cost of living.
05 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - November 5, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: "Working families in Australia have never been better off." Really, Mr Howard?; Local government workers being pressured into Work Choices agreement need your help; Government Skills Australia workshops; Renewable Energy Target - 20% by 2020; Federal Govt Dept fined $30,000 for political discrimination against union members; Osanloo sentence ‘appals world opinion’; Labor promises $1 billion for national urban water and desalination plan; John Howard confirms Govt plan to reduce award coverage and go further on IR changes; ITF railways sector meeting; Councils stepping up to leadership challenges; NCVER has recently published the report 'Pre-apprenticeships in three key trades'; Labor’s policies on women’s health; John Howard’s tech college announcement smells of panic, undermines TAFE.
05 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
A little Post-It note with a big message!
Two years ago, the Howard Government's WorkChoices laws were introduced to the Parliament. The Government ignored the fact that the majority of Australians opposed the laws. They spent $121 million of our money promoting the unfair IR laws with advertising campaigns featuring a Post-It note saying, "Know where you stand".
05 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Move it, move it – says QantasLink Eastern
That was the continuing scene at our latest meeting with QantasLink (Eastern) on 25 October 2007. What the company really meant was they wanted us to ‘move’ on one of their claims which is company code for giving up conditions. This was clear from the start when negotiations opened with QantasLink (Eastern) asking your negotiating team – what are we going to move on?
02 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
Discrimination beyond financial and work-related entitlements
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has stated that they intend to follow up the “Same Sex: Same Entitlements” Inquiry whose report was launched in June this year. The original inquiry focussed on areas of financial and work-related entitlements but in submissions from the LGBTI community, concerns were raised about experiences in the workplace and with health and aged care services, amongst others.
01 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
John Howard confirms Govt plan to reduce award coverage and go further on IR changes
John Howard has confirmed that his Government will push ahead with their plan to reduce coverage of the award safety net and would also consider changes to the fairness test if re-elected, according to a report in today's Australian Financial Review.
01 November 2007 [ full story ]
|
October 2007 |
Osanloo sentence ‘appals world opinion’
Commenting on news that Iranian trade union leader Mansour Osanloo has been sentenced to five years imprisonment ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “We have just heard that an injured, victimised trade unionist has been condemned to jail on charges that would be laughable if they weren’t so serious.”
31 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
33,000 more job losses - the Coalition’s only plan for Australian manufacturing say unions
Workers in manufacturing, agriculture and construction will be campaigning around Australia today (Wednesday) to highlight the negative impact of WorkChoices and the Howard Government’s approach to Australia’s manufacturing industry on families and local communities.
31 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU stands up and speaks out with a record 43.7 million others worldwide
A new Guinness World Record has been set for the most people gathering in the name of a single cause. Worldwide over 43.7 million people participated in “Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty” on 17 October 2007 and the ASU was part of that record.
31 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ansett Employee Update Number 51
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 51) is now available on this website. It provides an information on current litigation.
31 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Local government workers being pressured into Work Choices agreement need your help
Workers at Holdfast Bay City Council in South Australia need your support. Despite the clear majority of staff voting against it, management at the Council are determined to pressure staff into signing a Work Choices agreement.
30 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal Govt Dept fined $30,000 for political discrimination against union members
The Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has today been fined $30,000 by the Federal Court for discriminating against union members in the public service.
30 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
NCR and ASU consult on NCR car policy
ASU representatives have now met with NCR management on two occasions in order to discuss issues concerning changes to the NCR car policy.
30 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
The Perils of Payroll
For as long as anyone can remember there have been problems with the Qantas payroll system, but over recent years since the centralisation of payroll, the elimination of local payroll and the introduction of People Connect it has been on a steady decline.
30 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
John Howard cannot be trusted on industrial relations: Govt plans 1.5 million more AWAs
John Howard cannot be trusted on industrial relations and there is no doubt the Liberals will take WorkChoices further after the election, say both the ACTU and ASU.
29 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - October 29, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: New independent report finds WorkChoices is bad now, but set to get even worse later; Electricity industry employers and unions formulate joint direction on skills; Award Success - NSW Industrial Relations Commission ratifies Local Government (State) Award 2007; Joint Union Government Statement – Queensland Rail; Federal Labor - New Laws On Freedom Of Information, Whistleblower Protection; ASU 2007 federal election web page; Local Government Association of NSW resolutions; Nurses win fair wages & improve quality care despite WorkChoices obstacles.
29 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
When will the sun shine at Sunstate?
Negotiations continued this week with ASU Delegate Martin Hadfield attending the offices of QantasLink (Eastern) in Sydney to hear from QantasLink management about how they have no intention to move on any of your substantial claims.
26 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Report finds WorkChoices is bad now, but set to get worse
A new independent report released yesterday has found that WorkChoices has disadvantaged thousands of workers and delivered no significant benefits to the economy. The report finds that the adverse impact of WorkChoices on working Australians will become more widespread as time goes on and provides a warning to voters nationally not to re-elect John Howard and Peter Costello who are committed to taking WorkChoices further says the ACTU.
26 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
94% vote for Jetstar EBA
The Jetstar ballot has now been counted and 94% of the staff who cast a vote (i.e. 65% of Jetstar staff) voted YES to the Jetstar/ASU EBA 3.
25 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU member featured in new 'workers like us' union TV ad
The ACTU has launched a new television ad campaign warning that a re-elected Howard/Costello Government will go further with its IR law changes. The ad shows the real faces of unionists across the country, including Sharon, a proud ASU member.
25 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Desperate Hockey cyber-stalks citizens in latest round of fear and smear
According to a recent article in The Australian newspaper, Joe Hockey and his staff have reportedly cyber-stalked hundreds of citizens concerned about the Howard Government's IR laws.
24 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Telstra pushes for pre-election WorkChoices deal
Telstra's drastic plan to rush through a non-union, WorkChoices agreement for its white collar workforce before the federal election has been greeted with deep scepticism from staff and unions.
24 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
CPI lift leaves working families worse off
John Howard and Peter Costello's economic credentials are in tatters with a lift in inflation leaving working families struggling to cover the rising cost of housing, health, education and food says the ACTU.
24 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
ALP child care policies released
The ALP released its child care policy on the weekend, which calls for increased funding of child care services including for the not for profit sector. This was followed up yesterday with the release of the ALP’s policy on quality for children’s services. As Australia’s largest public sector child care services union, the ASU is keenly interested in what is proposed for the sector.
24 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Myer Stores Agreement 2007
Myer Stores staff would be aware that a replacement Agreement is now the subject of staff consultation. The ballot will open on 29 Oct. 2007.
24 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - October 22, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: National rail strike in France to defend pensions and pay; Save our penalty rates’ say nurses & health workers; Living standards of working families will fall under Liberals’ IR plan; Free Osanloo now; Initiative to strengthen public services; A Tax Plan for Australia's Future; plus more.
23 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
NFF wants Howard Govt to go further on wage cuts for rural & regional workers
Hundreds of thousands of workers in rural and regional areas across Australia face significant cuts to their wages and conditions under a new National Farmers' Federation plan to get rid of the Howard Government's 'fairness test' if the Liberals are re-elected.
23 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Send a message to QF Board – cast your AGM vote now
The meeting notices and proxy forms for the Qantas AGM are hitting staff home letterboxes right now as this year’s Qantas Annual General Meeting is to be held on Wednesday, 14th November 2007 at 2:00pm at The Park Room, Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne and Olympic Parks, Swan Street Melbourne. There are important things to vote on – directors’ re-election, shares for Peter Gregg and Geoff Dixon and executive remuneration.
23 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas staff raise the stakes and launch TV campaign
Following the successful launch of the Australian Services Union YouTube advertisement, the Union has now taken the campaign against Qantas cost cutting and downgrading of services to television.
22 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASUshop election gear
Make sure you know Your Rights at Work this coming election! The ASUshop contains a range of resources and merchandise to help you get informed and look the part.
19 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Liberal Party advertisement is insulting to working families
A new negative Liberal Party political advertisement launched yesterday by leader-in-waiting Peter Costello is insulting to working families says the ACTU and ASU.
18 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Hockey reveals Howard Govt agenda to go further on industrial relations
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey has today confirmed the Howard Government’s intention to go further on industrial relations and get rid of trade unions altogether if re-elected.
18 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
The kiosks are coming
Recently ASU representatives met with Jetstar management to discuss the Company’s proposals to introduce automatic check-in kiosks at Jetstar counters at airports.
18 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Save our penalty rates
‘Save our penalty rates’ say nurses and health workers in first big anti-WorkChoices election event. Tens of thousands of nurses and health care workers across the nation will today lead the first major election event against John Howard’s unfair WorkChoices laws.
18 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
First timers or re-enrollers – today is your last chance!
If you are enrolling to vote for the first time, today is your last day to get your form to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) if you wish to vote in the federal election on November 24. The same applies to those who are re-enrolling after having fallen off the roll for any reason. You have until 8.00pm this evening so you’ll need to move quickly!
17 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Slow going at Eastern negotiations
Your ASU negotiating team has now met with QantasLink (Eastern) management on 6 occasions. During those 6 meetings – the last being Monday 15 October, QantasLink management have not moved on any of the key claims for ASU members.
17 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Vote YES for Jetstar EBA 3
The vote on the ASU's EBA 3 with Jetstar commences online from 0001 on Wednesday 17th October 2007 and the ASU National Negotiating Team is recommending that staff vote Yes to approve the Agreement.
16 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tax cuts won't compensate for Liberals' IR plan
The tax cuts promised by John Howard and Peter Costello will not compensate working families for the WorkChoices IR laws and the Government's plan to push a further 1.5 million workers onto AWAs if it is re-elected, the ACTU said today.
16 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Election's called - we're off and running!
And we're off! The election has been called. We go to the polls on Saturday November 24. And it's about time.
14 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal election is an opportunity to protect the rights of working families
The Federal Election is an opportunity for working families to protect their rights at work and vote against the Liberals' and Nationals' unfair WorkChoices IR laws says the ACTU and the ASU.
14 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
WorkChoices worsens women’s pay gap
The pay gap between men and women has widened under the Howard Government, with women on AWA individual contracts falling furthest behind.
12 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Holdfast Bay mayoral support - 75% staff voted NO to WorkChoices
After months of management attempts to force them onto a WorkChoices agreement they do not want, Holdfast Bay City Council staff were left with no option than to take their concerns to the Mayor and elected members.
11 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
New leader of Public Services International (PSI) elected
Peter Waldorff has been elected general secretary of Public Services International (PSI), the 20 million-strong global representative body for public service trade unions. The 52-year-old Dane will take up the position on 1 January 2008, after working with outgoing general secretary Hans Engelberts on a smooth transition.
09 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - October 8, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Government plan to cut red tape for councils; Water project plans endorsed; Local Government News; Planning begins for rail freight growth; ACTU calls on Australian Government to exert maximum pressure on Burma’s military regime; Learning with the unions in the United Kingdom; Energy industry planning; Rubbery figures from Joe Hockey’s Workplace Authority cannot be trusted.
09 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Members endorse Jetstar deal
ASU Members at Jetstar have endorsed the deal negotiated by the ASU’s National Negotiating Team and the way is now clear for a vote of all staff on the EBA proposal.
08 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Rubbery figures from Joe Hockey’s Workplace Authority cannot be trusted
The rubbery figures released from Joe Hockey’s Workplace Authority cannot be trusted says the ACTU.
08 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty with the ASU on October 17
This year the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is October 17, 2007, and the ASU will be participating by hosting a Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty event at the ASU Office in Melbourne. These events will be going on all over the globe in an attempt to break last year’s Guinness World Record for the most people to stand up for a cause. Come join us or get involved in an activity near you.
05 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Your Rights at Work supporters honoured in Paris
This week, the Your Rights at Work campaign supporters received a big honour overseas. We won the international title of the web campaign "Changing the World of Internet and Politics."
05 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Air Niugini agreement negotiations commence
On Wednesday 26 September 2007 the ASU negotiating team met with Air Niugini Management representatives to discuss the ASU’s Agreement claims and related issues.
03 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Airport staff take on Qantas in new YouTube campaign on service standards
In a first for enterprise bargaining campaigns, the Australian Services Union has today launched a 30 second online advertisement accusing Qantas of cost cutting and downgrading service standards in airports across the country.
03 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Could it happen here?
Imagine. Thirty million dollars a year to spend on union training. Eighteen thousand Union Learning Representatives on the ground, helping their co-workers to get into learning. One hundred thousand members a year learning new skills through their unions. Yes, you it read right. One. Hundred. Thousand. That’s 100,000 members each year.
03 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
WorkChoices taking Australia in the wrong direction
A major new report prepared by Sydney University released today provides convincing evidence that the Liberals’ WorkChoices IR laws have increased the pressure on working families and, in particular, have left young workers and the low paid vulnerable to exploitation says the ACTU.
02 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Exploitation of young workers rife under WorkChoices
Revelations today that a 17 year old young brick worker on an AWA individual contract was required to work 12 hour shifts for almost $400 a week less than workmates doing the same job shows that Workplace Minister Joe Hockey is insensitive and out of touch says the ACTU.
02 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Energy industry planning
The ASU national electricity-energy division committee recently met to review the division’s work plan for 2007, review the current industry issues and update officials from each state on the current issues under negotiation, state by state across the country.
02 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Negotiators have deal to recommend at Jetstar
After a number of weeks of negotiation, the ASU National Negotiating Team now believe we have a deal for the Jetstar / ASU EBA3 that we can recommend to ASU members.
01 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - October 1, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Costello confirms Liberal Party plans to go further on IR; Crean outlines Labor's vision for regional governance; Federal Labor puts forward new transport agenda for COAG; Water and sewerage reform; New legislation to restore workers' rights lost under WorkChoices; Review of the Sport and Recreation Training Packages; Caravan Training Package Review; Govt admits fairness test farce is getting worse; Launch of the power generation training package.
01 October 2007 [ full story ]
|
September 2007 |
SACS delegates take issues to Canberra
This past September, during the last sitting of Federal Parliament in Canberra, ASU National and Branch officials and Social and Community Services (SACS) delegates from NSW, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Northern Territory went to Canberra to visit key politicians to discuss the ASU’s concerns about wages, training and career paths for our members and funding of this vital industry.
30 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Well-paid? Watch out!
Until recently, 42 year old Andrew Cruickshank worked at Priceline as a well-paid space planner, coordinating the strategic placement of products at the retailer’s chain of stores. One Friday, without warning, he was sacked for “operational reasons”.
28 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Life is great in the Sunshine State so show us the money!
QantasLink (Sunstate) negotiations continued in Sydney with management providing a detailed table of their claims. These claims are those that we advised you of following our last meeting with management. On this occasion we are able to see very clearly the number of current entitlements which management wish to remove from your conditions.
28 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
International LGBT forum moves agenda forward
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) trade unionists from all over the world have gathered in Vienna three years after the inaugural PSI-EI Forum held in Brazil. The importance of tackling homophobia was a key discussion point and a new online resource was launched as well.
28 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Progress? Only if you think taking away your entitlements is progress!
When last we reported to you QantasLink (Eastern) had said no to your key claims. At our latest meeting, QantasLink (Eastern) put a document to your negotiating team which clearly outlined the claims of the company.
28 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Govt admits fairness test farce is getting worse despite $93 million ad blitz
Despite a $93 million taxpayer funded pro-WorkChoices ad blitz, the Workplace Authority has today provided more evidence that the Howard Government's 'fairness test' simply is not working.
28 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Wage review shows Govt to go further on IR & young workers to be hit harder
A review of pay rates for young workers and trainees launched today by the Howard Government's pay setting body is a worrying sign that the Coalition will go further on IR and that young workers could suffer a further drop in their pay and conditions after the election says the ACTU.
26 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Worker threatened with being sacked for complaining about no pay rise for 3 years
A Victorian textiles company is threatening to sack a union delegate for speaking out against the Federal Government’s unfair workplace laws that have allowed the company to avoid giving around 300 workers a pay rise for nearly three years.
25 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Quality public services at the heart of the fight against global warming
All nations should sign up to a legally-binding UN agreement on climate change and place quality public services at the heart of the fight against global warming according to Public Services International (PSI), the 20 million-strong global trade union federation of which the ASU is an affiliate.
25 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal election delayed so taxpayer can foot Howard's ad bill
The ACTU said today that the only reason the Howard Government is delaying calling the federal election is so that it and a coalition of big business supporters can continue to broadcast dishonest and blatantly political industrial relations advertisements.
24 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
We were wrong – Urgent Correction
In our Bulletin 206 on September 6, 2007 we indicated that the Senior Executives who didn’t do their day jobs (according to John Borghetti) while the APA takeover bid was on owed the Qantas shareholders $6,077,132.
21 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jetstar EBA progresses in leaps and bounds
The ASU Jetstar NNT met with the company representatives on 18th September and held very productive discussions about the contents of the next Jetstar EBA.
20 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
New poll finds Federal Govt IR ads turn off voters
The ACTU has renewed its call for the Howard Government to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on its misleading pro-WorkChoices advertising campaign following research showing the more the Government runs the ads, the stronger the public opposes WorkChoices.
20 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Just equal"
“Before I answer any questions you may have, I just want to say that over the past year I have been incredibly moved by those people in the gay and lesbian community who have made it very clear to me that there is only one thing that they want: to be treated equally; no more and no less than any other Australian. Just equal.” These are the words of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Commissioner Graeme Innes AM during a presentation to an ad hoc committee of the Federal Parliament on September 13, 2007. His appearance was in support of HREOC’s report “Same-Sex: Same Entitlements” that was released in June this year.
20 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Councils turn their backs on WorkChoices
The decision of 152 councils to discontinue their push to be covered by the Federal Government's IR laws is further evidence that business support for WorkChoices is unravelling.
19 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - September 2007
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: APEC declaration on climate change released; Owen inquiry and NSW government retail privatisation � Australia; Climate change as a global challenge: the road to Bali; Think outside the bottle; Water reform - Queensland, Australia; FDC urges Congress to drop water privatisation - Philipines; Suez Workers Group condemns lack of consultation on GDF - Suez merger; plus more.
19 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
It wasn’t broke, so why “fix” it?
Recent research produced by the University of Sydney’s Workplace Research Centre (WRC), has shown that before WorkChoices was introduced, only four per cent of employers were not satisfied with the industrial relations (IR) arrangements in their workplace. It begs the question, if the IR system was working well for the vast majority of employers, why was the radical and oppressive WorkChoices legislation introduced at all?
19 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASUshop new gear
Every day we see more and more Government ads on TV, at bus shelters, on trains and trams, newspapers and magazines. WorkChoices isn't unfair, they claim, “It's the law.” Millions of dollars spent on covering up the truth about IR laws which get rid of our rights at work. We have to counter this whitewash. The ASUshop is now carrying the perfect items to help you get the message across!
18 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Spotlight abandons AWAs
A decision by major retailer Spotlight to abandon the use of AWA individual contracts confirms the Howard Government's WorkChoices IR laws are bad for both workers and businesses says the ACTU.
18 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
IR ministers conclude WorkChoices has failed
ASU National Secretary Paul Slape today welcomed the communiqué from state and territory industrial relations ministers that concluded the Howard Government’s WorkChoices legislation has failed employers, workers and families and must be dismantled.
17 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
What's next Geoff, working for tips?
Not content with cutting 450 customer service staff from Australian airports since 2001 and introducing hundreds of automatic check-in machines, Qantas now wants to cut the wages of new customer service agents at airports.
17 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Unions warn that Costello will go even further on industrial relations
John Howard’s announcement that he will stand down in favour of Peter Costello is a clear signal that the Liberal Party plans to take a hardline approach to industrial relations and will go even further on its unfair WorkChoices IR laws if it wins the next election.
14 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Retail and hospitality workers squeezed by WorkChoices
A new government-funded report released yesterday confirms that Australia's 1.7 million retail and hospitality workers have been hit the hardest by the introduction of the WorkChoices IR laws, with some workers losing up to a third of their incomes.
14 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Alarming growth in risk to workers' health & safety rights under Howard-Costello Govt
New figures released today show there has been an alarming growth in the number of workers whose health and safety rights are at risk under the Howard Government's poorly resourced workers' compensation scheme, 'Comcare'.
14 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
BoysTown threatens defamation proceedings against the ASU
The ASU has received a letter of demand from national law firm DLA Phillips Fox in Brisbane threatening defamation proceedings by BoysTown and its management against the ASU.
14 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Local government to retain waste collection
The Federal Government has responded to the Productivity Commission’s report into waste collection responsibilities by rejecting many of its recommendations. The recommendations included taking waste collection away from local government and transferring it to state governments or mega state authorities.
12 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
At Qantas no-one can hear you scream
That’s how your National Negotiating Team felt at our last EBA negotiating meeting which was held on 4th September 2007.
12 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ready, aim, FIRE!
The ACTU today blamed the Coalition Government's IR laws for making it easier to sack long-term workers, following revelations that two video library attendants were sacked after eight years service at Video City stores in Devonport and Burnie, Tasmania.
11 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Don't let John Howard get away with it, enrol to vote now!
We all know that when the Howard Government got control of the Senate, they arrogantly ignored community opinion and rammed through WorkChoices. They also sneakily took the opportunity to do something equally undemocratic and unfair - changing the Electoral Act to try to stop people who don't like their policies from voting.
11 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - September 10, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Privatisation of the NSW energy industry; ASU Quality Public Services Campaign; ASU local government submission to the Senate; Job score – have you heard of the system; Despite $37 million IR ad campaign only one in ten AWAs undergoes 'Fairness Test'; ITF Railway News; Think outside the bottle; Local Government calls for Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund; Iranian union leader’s wife and sister arrested; Council feedback shapes new water system (QLD); Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality.
10 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
What we have agreed to
We reported after the last negotiation meeting that QantasLink (Eastern) management had responded to your claims and the overwhelming reply was "no". Tuesday 4 September saw your negotiating team back at the table to hear that QantasLink had little else to offer.
07 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Some progress on Jetstar EBA
Since our last bulletin and our recent meetings of members, the ASU National Negotiating Team has met with Jetstar management on 13th and 30th August 2007.
07 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Privatisation of the NSW energy industry
Privatisation of the energy industry threatens thousands of jobs across New South Wales. Despite assurances before the State election that privatisation was not on the agenda, the NSW State Government has established the Owen Inquiry in an effort to justify a sell-off to the private sector.
06 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Despite $37 million IR ad campaign only one in ten AWAs undergo 'Fairness Test'
A new official report released yesterday shows that despite a $37 million taxpayer funded IR advertising campaign to promote the Howard Government's new workplace watchdog, it has checked only one in ten AWA individual contracts since the introduction of the so-called 'Fairness Test'.
06 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
"You couldn’t get your job done, you had to sort of abandon it. You couldn’t focus on it."
That’s what John Borghetti, Qantas Executive General Manager told the American Chamber of Commerce lunch in Sydney recently was what happened when he and senior executives Geoff Dixon and Peter Gregg worked on the unsuccessful Private Equity takeover over six months from last November.
06 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
John Howard throws our rights overboard
Andrew Cruickshank was dismissed from his job for ‘operational reasons’ under the Liberal’s IR laws, only to discover two weeks later the company re-advertised his position for $25,000 less. His wife Leanne said, “You just don’t know now, whether your job is safe, or not.” It is the same for so many workers out there and it is important that they don’t become faceless statistics.
05 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fight for the Future - ASU Young Workers
In late July 2007 a number of ASU youth representatives set off to Adelaide to attend a national conference hosted by SA Unions titled “Fight for the Future”. Young workers from all over the country came together to share their experiences and hear first hand how the Federal Government’s industrial relations laws are impacting young people.
05 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Centenary celebrations for the PSI – creating firmer international ties for workers
The global union Public Services International (PSI), of which the ASU is an affiliate, was formed in 1907 after a number of European trade unions met to improve support between unions for the betterment of workers across the continent. Those original municipal, power, gas and water unions were subsequently joined by over 600 unions from all parts of the world.
04 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
TNT workers say NO to non-union agreement
In a great show of solidarity and unity, the majority of staff working for TNT Shared Services in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have voted to reject the company’s non-union substandard agreement.
04 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU local government submission to the Senate
The ASU has appeared before the Senate Inquiry into Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007 to represent the interests of local government employees and the communities they serve in respect of council amalgamations.
04 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Rudd visits Darwin and reasserts workers’ rights under a Labor Govt
The Federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd was in Darwin on Saturday, September 1, and caught up with various community, business and union representatives including Darwin based Australian Services Union official Lucio Matarazzo.
03 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
NT local government reform – ASU fights to protect jobs and conditions
The ASU is currently engaged in negotiations over how to protect our members’ jobs and conditions in the light of the “reform” proposals which will create a number of new shire councils. Principally those negotiations have been taking place between the ASU, the NT Government and the NT Local Government Association.
03 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tassie local government workers transferred to Hobart Water – but what about their conditions?
In early August the ASU held a meeting of two groups of former Tasmanian local government employees with something in common: both groups had been transferred by local councils and are now employed by Hobart Water. What has remained unclear is whether they will retain the same pay and conditions they enjoyed when employed in local government.
03 September 2007 [ full story ]
|
August 2007 |
Global unions back Australian TNT workers for union agreement
The International Transport Federation (ITF) General Secretary, David Cockroft has sent a message of solidarity to Australian TNT workers in their bid for a union collective agreement.
31 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
APEC must address sex slavery, people trafficking and worker exploitation in Asia Pacific
Stronger international efforts to prevent the exploitation of workers and to halt human trafficking and sex slavery in the Asia Pacific should be a priority for next week’s APEC meeting in Sydney, unions said today.
30 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Melbourne City Council mayor should stand down
Lord Mayor John So's likening of Melbourne City Council (MCC) to one big family was insulting, ASU Victorian Branch Secretary, Brian Parkinson, said today.
29 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Don't just sit there, enrol!
Have you heard that there is a federal election around the corner? Do you know that there are many issues affecting you directly that will be determined by who wins government at the next election? But frighteningly, did you know that the current Federal Government changed the laws on enrolling to vote to make it much harder for you to ensure you can vote after an election is called? If you are not yet enrolled or have moved house since you last enrolled, NOW is the time to do something about it!
29 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
BoysTown denies workers access to union agreement
BoysTown workers are being denied access to a union collective agreement by their management. The ASU is urging the BoysTown board members to support the workers and we ask you to help them by sending an email.
28 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - August 27, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Cochlear dispute; Federal Labor believes that local government should be formally recognised in the Australian Constitution; Stop Howard’s race to the bottom on occupational health and safety; Workers on AWAs miss out on redundancy pay, expose gap in WorkChoices laws; Global Reporting Initiative (GRI); New rural precinct guidelines for Qld councils; Long service leave benefits put at risk; Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA).
28 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Labor policy an important step towards better rights for working families
The ACTU said that the Labor Party’s transitional industrial relations arrangements announced today were an important step towards restoring rights for working families in Australia.
28 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Zimbabwe democracy leader and former trade union leader speaks out
Zimbabwe democracy leader and former trade union leader, President of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, will be speaking in Melbourne on Monday to speak about the horrific conditions in his country.
24 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Workers on AWAs miss out on redundancy pay
Workers on AWA individual contracts employed at the South Burnett Meatworks in Queensland have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars in redundancy pay after the plant closed while workers on a union collective agreement will get their full redundancy entitlement, with some employees getting up to $19,000.
24 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jeff Lawrence takes over as ACTU Secretary & vows to intensify campaign against WorkChoices IR laws
The new Secretary of the ACTU, Jeff Lawrence, took office today vowing to stand up for working Australians and to intensify the campaign against the Howard Government's WorkChoices IR laws.
21 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Only strong public services can meet tough global challenges
Only strong public services can meet the big challenges now facing the world – like global warming, inequality, HIV-AIDS, and achieving the UN’s millennium development goals - according to the leader of Public Services International (PSI), the 20 million-strong international public service trade union federation of which the ASU is an affiliate.
21 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Foster's denies union collective agreement to Yatala workers in Australia
Foster's is refusing to negotiate a union collective agreement with more than 280 workers at its Yatala brewery, south of Brisbane. Despite overwhelming worker support in favour of union representation in the negotiation of a new collective agreement, Foster's insistence on a non-union agreement has halted negotiations since last month.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - August 20, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ASU National Energy–Electricity Division; Federal Government moves legislation on Queensland council amalgamations; Discrimination against low paid workers with families; Water Bill passes The Senate; WA women are doing it tough under WorkChoices; UN International Youth Day; Need for capital city policy highlighted; Government amendments to the Trade Practices Act 1974 - Secondary Boycotts; Prime Minister abandons Vale; Australasian Railway Association latest bulletin.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
WorkChoices undermines “common good”
The WorkChoices laws undermine Australia’s commitment to the “common good” as the basis of industrial relations policies, an ASU National Industrial Officer told a public forum seeking to find a Christian response to industrial relations (IR) policies and practices.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Commerce Queensland seeks support from ASU
Commerce Queensland has written to the Australian Services Union Central & Southern Qld Branch (ASU) requesting support and a financial donation to the Queensland Business Action Fund which has been set up by a range of national employer organisations to keep WorkChoices.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Fairness test" farce is not protecting young workers from unfair IR laws
The Federal Government's 'fairness test' has degenerated into a farce and is clearly not protecting young workers the ACTU said.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Hobart community forum: It's about time: women, men, work and family
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Tasmania, invite you to join HREOC’s President and Acting Sex Discrimination Commissioner John von Doussa QC for a forum on the “It’s About Time: women, men, work and family” Final Paper.
20 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
And the winner is...
The winner of the ASU, AMWU, TWU "Guess the Qantas Group Profit" is Andrew Whitty, ASU member at Qantas Telesales in Melbourne. Andrew was spot on with his prediction that the Qantas Group operating profit before tax would be $1032million. Congratulations Andrew!
17 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Get ready to say good bye to the minimum wage
A decision by the Federal Government's pay setting body late yesterday (Thurs 16 Aug.) to scrap guaranteed minimum wages for property salespeople and allow commission-only payments is a dangerous precedent that could spell the beginning of the end for minimum award wages in Australia says the ACTU.
17 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Women are worse off under WorkChoices!
We are not surprised that the answer is yes! Women have always had to fight for equal pay, equal access to career pathing, equal rights in a range of workplace conditions so when the Howard Government introduced WorkChoices, we knew that women would bear the brunt of this retrograde step.
17 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Someone was listening
Eastern Australia Airlines have finally responded to the claims you first tabled with the company on 16 May 2007, mostly they said no!
16 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Cochlear dispute heats up
Cochlear, the manufacturer of bionic ear implants that help hearing-impaired people around the world, is simply not listening. Twice its workers have voted to reject management offers, and now management is saying it will impose individual contracts in a bid to smash the union.
16 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas profit up, staff wages down
Qantas has today announced a before-tax profit of $1,032 million for the 2006/07 financial year and while the news is all good for Qantas shareholders, with dividends expected to deliver millions, staff face the prospect of their work being downgraded with the introduction of lower paid positions to perform existing customer service work.
16 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Aviation training package due for validation
The Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council has a number of established Industry Sector Committees and Registered Training Organisations Reference Panels that provide valuable input into the design and implementation of industry training packages. In 2007 the Skills Council and the relevant Reference Panels have commenced a program of review and improvement of the industry training packages.
15 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
You, yes you, can be the face of our next groundbreaking campaign
You think the campaign we've built together has been amazing so far, but you ain't seen nothing yet! We have a groundbreaking secret weapon up our sleeves. We want YOU to be the face of one our exciting future campaigns.
15 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - August 13, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: What’s the media thing about this Kevin 07; NSW Govt writes to all councils on WorkChoices; Stop Howard’s race to the bottom on occupational health and safety; Walk to Work Day; On-line tool kit for sustainable suburbs; ASU national leadership returned to office unopposed; The Safety Show Sydney; Labor’s approach to the Water Bill 2007; Local and State Government team up to tackle climate change; Sport and recreation members in local government; plus more.
14 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
There is a clear choice at this year's federal election - and big business is making its choice obvious
A confidential memo from the president of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) has revealed a direct link between the funding of the big business pro-Liberal IR advertising campaign and the Howard Government's payments to business groups under its $40 million Employer Assistance Program (EAP) which gave money to the business groups to 'promote' WorkChoices. John Howard also stated forcefully at a function last night that there is a clear choice at the forthcoming election.
14 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
International community calls on Iran to free jailed union leader Mansour Osanloo
The ASU, like other transport unions and concerned citizens in Australia and throughout the world, joined in to support the International Transport Federation’s (ITF) Day of Action to seek the release from prison of Iranian trade union official Mansour Osanloo.
10 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Adelaide Bank merger - protecting SA jobs and conditions a priority
Yesterday’s announcement of a merger between Adelaide Bank and Bendigo Bank may have boosted the share price but it has left Adelaide Bank staff and their Union concerned and uncertain about their future.
10 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Howard govt adds $70,000 interest to typical home loan for working families
Today's interest rate rise will put families under even more financial pressure and shows the Howard Govt is failing to manage the economy in the interests of ordinary working Australians says the ACTU.
09 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Why is Boystown so afraid of working with the ASU?
We have offered our assistance to Boystown now on a number of occasions regarding their attempts to change your wages structure and conditions of employment through their unsuccessfully proposed non union workplace agreement. Boystown has been silent in their reply to us. You have been advised by Boystown CEO Jack Firman, that they intend to offer Boystown workers AWAs.
08 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Stop Howard’s race to the bottom on occupational health and safety
The ASU calls on Australian workers to sign up to a workplace petition in support of the “Union Charter of Workplace Rights”. The Charter sets out to defend occupational health and safety (OHS) rights that are under attack by the Howard Government.
07 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
New WorkChoices advertising scandal
A new scandal to hit the Howard Government’s IR ads today shows that it cannot hide the truth about its unfair IR laws – the fact is the laws leave young workers vulnerable to being exploited, says the ACTU.
07 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU national leadership returned to office unopposed
Australian Services Union National Secretary Paul Slape and Assistant National Secretaries Linda White and Greg McLean have been re-elected unopposed following the close of nominations recently. Also elected unopposed were Henrietta Moran and Julie Bignell to the honorary positions of National President and National Vice-President (respectively). Henrietta works for Brisbane City Council and Julie is Secretary of the ASU Central & Southern Queensland Clerical and Administrative Branch.
07 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fears over more job cuts at Melbourne City Council
ASU Branch Secretary, Brian Parkinson, today called on Melbourne City Council, Chief Executive, David Pitchford, to do the right thing and work with the union in relation to the implementation outcomes of the recently held Operational and Efficiency Review.
07 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Day of action in support of Iranian unionists
Mansour Osanloo of the Tehran and Suburbs Workers’ Bus Company, Sherkate Vahed, was abducted on Tuesday 10 July, severely beaten and taken to an unknown destination. There is strong reason to believe the authorities were involved. ACTU is calling on affiliates to join the ITF and ITUC, and other unionists around the world to add our voices in support and show solidarity with Iranian workers to demand Mansour Osanloo’s safety and immediate release.
06 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
IR ignites fire in the belly of the churches
Undoubtedly much to Howard’s despair, the debate around the Federal Government’s industrial relations laws shows no sign of abating. No place is this clearer than among the church communities who have joined the ACTU is calling the fairness of WorkChoices into serious question.
06 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - August 6, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Western Australian Council not a trading corporation; Queensland local government amalgamations; ASU National Energy-Electricity division invited to Canberra; APEC 2007 - is it worth it; Fairness Test Policy Guide made public; Speech to Infrastructure Partnerships Conference (NSW); and El Salvador - Assassination of a trade union official.
06 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
The little things that get to John Howard
It's the little things that must get to John Howard. Today it has been revealed his own party sees him as "dishonest and too old." His rhetoric about keeping interest rates low has been blown out of the water with 8 consecutive rises. His Treasurer wants his job. Trying to use the internet to look hip just highlights that he's out of touch. Every week he tries to conjure another rabbit of the hat with taxpayers' money, desperate to get a bump in the polls.
06 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Howard Government workplace watchdog approves $3 an hour wage for young worker
The Howard Government's workplace watchdog has approved it was legal for a young woman to be paid less than $3 an hour for working eleven hour days for a Cairns-based diving and tour company.
06 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU - AMWU - TWU Launch Guess Qantas Group Profit Competition
The ASU, AMWU and TWU have today launched a “Guess the Qantas Group 2006-07 Profit” competition for financial members of each union working in the Qantas Group.
03 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantaslink management stake their claim
Qantaslink Sydney management have staked their claim for a pound of flesh during your collective agreement negotiations in Brisbane on Tuesday 31 July 2007.
03 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Queensland local government amalgamations
The extent of council amalgamations is so large and potentially disruptive that the three-year transition period for councils and employees should be extended to five, the Australian Services Union – Services Branch (ASU-Services) said today.
03 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Business groups must now return taxpayers' money they used to promote WorkChoices
Business groups that are planning a new pro-WorkChoices advertising campaign due to start in the next few weeks should first return the millions of dollars of taxpayers' money they received from the Howard Government to pave the way for the introduction of the new IR laws says the ACTU.
02 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Sonnet standing up for workers Down Under
UNISON deputy general secretary Keith Sonnet is in Australia this week to learn first-hand of the unions' fight against that country's repressive industrial relations legislation.
01 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fed Govt's 'no AWA, no job' IR laws used to sack worker after 24 years service
Despite saturation advertising by the Federal Government claiming that workers cannot be sacked for refusing to sign an AWA individual contract, another case revealed today shows an employer has used the IR laws to sack a service station worker after 24 years service.
01 August 2007 [ full story ]
|
July 2007 |
ASUshop new gear
A series of new products have recently been added to the ASUshop. There's lots of new clothing branded ASU or as part of the Your Rights at Work campaign. Stylish new ASU jackets are also part of the range. And don't forget to peruse the ASUshop Bargain Basement where some incredible deals are on offer.
31 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Together you can achieve anything! Ask ASU members at Garuda
The end of a long and sometimes fraught journey has arrived for ASU Delegates and members at Garuda Indonesia Airlines. Celebrations have occurred around the country as members received back-pay on the wage increase gained on the completion of the new Garuda Indonesia Union Collective Agreement 2007.
31 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Are we heading down the United States path?
Three hard working low paid Americans are visiting Australia over the next two weeks to warn of the dangers of heading down the United States path to an economy based on jobs with low wages where working families struggle to afford housing and healthcare.
31 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU calls on business groups to return taxpayers' money used to promote 'WorkChoices'
The Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) should return the $600,000 it received from the Howard Government to promote the 'WorkChoices' IR laws following AMMA's announcement today that they intend to contribute $500,000 to a big business pro-'WorkChoices' ad campaign.
27 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
They’re joking right? … Wrong!
Thursday 26 July saw Eastern Australia Airlines Management present to your ASU Delegates their vision for ‘flexibility’ in your new agreement.
27 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Darrell Cochrane retires after more than 40 years in the ASU
Darrell Cochrane, former Secretary of the ASU Victorian Authorities & Services Branch, recently retired after a long and successful career looking after the interests of workers. Widely lauded as one of the most honest unionists in the land who always played with a straight bat, the ASU National Executive farewelled Darrell this week, recognising his years of service and the strength of his beliefs in the rights of workers.
27 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Australian dream of home ownership is slipping out of reach under Howard Govt
The great Australian dream of owning your own home is slipping out of reach under the Howard Government says the ACTU.
26 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Landmark court ruling finds Vinnies guilty of unfair dismissals
St Vincent de Paul has been ordered to immediately reinstate two workers who were unfairly sacked for trying to resolve a dispute collectively, following a landmark decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on July 24, 2007.
26 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
CPI lift pushes working families backwards: Govt's economic credentials now in tatters
The Howard Government's economic credentials are in tatters with a higher than expected lift in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) pushing the living standards of many working families backwards says the ACTU.
25 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas - You cannot be serious!
For an airline that is spending millions of dollars on upgrading airport lounges and improving the on-board experience it beggars belief that Qantas is still seeking to downgrade the positions of frontline customer service staff at Australian domestic airports.
23 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Not much joy from Jetstar
ASU reps met Jetstar management for our 4th EBA meeting on 17th July 2007. The main topics for discussion were the classification structure, pay rates, overtime / annual leave / sick leave provisions, the grading levels for operations staff, part time conversions, and rostering committees. Following is an overview of the discussions.
23 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas stalls response on our claims
After the cancellation by Qantas of our scheduled meeting on 4th July, unfortunately our fourth meeting with Qantas management on 19th July 2007 still did not net any comprehensive or complete response to the ASU’s claims.
23 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tassie state minimum wage now higher than federal minimum wage
Around twenty two thousand Tasmanians on State Awards, including many social and community sector workers, will be over $22 a week better off from 1 August 2007 as a result of a decision of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission to increase the Tasmanian minimum wage to $527.10.
20 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Calling the experts to bring in paid parental leave
The ASU encourages you to support the National Foundation of Australian Women (NFAW) campaign to introduce paid maternity/parental leave in Australia, campaigning for the right of women not to have to work when they have a new baby.
20 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Perth workers ripped off to the tune of $6,200: unions call for bigger investigation
The Howard Government’s new Workplace Authority is being called on by unions to further investigate the WA Japanese restaurant chain, Shimizu, following a finding that staff have been underpaid thousands of dollars.
19 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ansett Employee Update Number 50
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 50) is now available on this website. It provides information regarding the payment of the eighth dividend and a general update to creditors on the status of the administration.
19 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas move to downgrade customer service work - is this the thin edge of the wedge?
Not satisfied with running their airport customer service operations on woefully inadequate staffing numbers, Qantas have now flagged that they are seeking to downgrade the value of customer service work by introducing Level 2 positions at Melbourne Airport.
19 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
National Party seeks support from ASU
John and Janette Howard may have never invited Peter Costello and his wife to dinner but the National Party is inviting the unions to eat with them!
19 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Building the collective strength at Boystown
Your ASU Delegates and contacts are now working on building a wider and stronger collective to ensure that at all times all Boystown workers have their voices heard.
19 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Putting people into APEC
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) meeting of the leaders of 21 countries is to be held in Sydney in September 2007, and will be the most significant meeting Australia has ever hosted.
18 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Local government funding under the microscope
The ASU has provided a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into “Local Government Revenue Raising Capacity”. The ASU submission concentrated on the issue of inadequacy of funding arising from cost shifting and politically inspired rate controls along with the cutting of service levels that result from the lack of and instability of funding.
17 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
New report shows Howard Govt AWAs are used to cut workers’ pay and avoid unions
A new Government report released today shows that typical Australians on AWA individual contracts earn 16% less than their counterparts on collective agreements.
16 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Time to elect a Federal Govt that will act on maternity leave and better support for parents
The ACTU has welcomed new research by the National Foundation for Australian Women showing 76% of Australians support a national system of paid maternity leave and that 85% agreed that 'More needs to be done in Australia so that mothers can spend more time with their newborn babies'.
15 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fuji Xerox in "secret" secret ballot
When Fuji Xerox management conduct meetings across the country about their version of “negotiations”, they are also presenting you with a “ballot paper” to make a choice between their wage offer or negotiating a new agreement.
13 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
New IR laws fairness test is biased against employees: Govt authority now proves it
A statement issued today by the Howard Government's new Workplace Authority that it will only contact bosses and does not intend to contact employees if there is doubt over whether a job contract is fair has confirmed that the new IR laws 'Fairness Test' is biased against workers says the ACTU.
13 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
New union ad highlights concern among older Australians and parents over Fed Govt IR laws
A new national union TV ad campaign launched today highlights the growing concern about the effects of the Howard Government's IR laws among older Australians and working parents.
12 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
No choice for striking warehouse workers, as new poll shows strong public support for collective bargaining
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet today met with warehouse workers from stationary supplier Esselte, who are on strike trying to get a union collective agreement, as new ACTU research shows strong support for laws enshrining the right of workers to collectively bargain.
12 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Working families need more parental leave rights and more affordable child care
Unions are supporting calls for extra help for working families, including rights to more paid leave for parents and more affordable child care raised in the Work and Family Roundtable 2007 Benchmark report released this week.
11 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Loss of protection from unfair dismissal is key to abuse of young workers
The loss of protection from being sacked unfairly under the Howard Government's IR laws is a key factor in the rising number of cases where young workers are abused says the ACTU.
11 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU means business for women
ASU officials responsible for women’s business in the ASU met face to face recently to consider the current “Don’t Be Too Polite Girls” campaign for ASU women and to determine how we can best assist ASU women to engage in the federal election campaign.
10 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fuji Xerox thinks they can hoodwink you!
Fuji Xerox management are currently conducting meetings across the country to give you their version of the status of the negotiations. Is what they are saying honest?
10 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
The answer is NO to unfairness say Boystown staff
In a resounding victory for fairness, Boystown employees across three states have resoundingly voted against an unfair and unjust non union collective agreement supported by Boystown management.
10 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ban on AWA individual contracts will not hurt mines: new research
A new report by visiting Canadian economist Dr Jim Stanford debunks the myth that AWA individual contracts are somehow a necessary part of Australia's mining boom. The report shows that productivity actually declined in Australian mining since the introduction of AWAs.
10 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - July 9, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Fair Pay Commission tries to justify its low increase; Water in public hands helps end poverty; Energy privatisation puts emergency services at risk; SE Qld should rethink water plan; OECD and Australian regulation reform; Boundaries outdate Bradman’s first ton; Local Government restructuring in the Northern Territory; National Transport Commission; Living standards of working families will go backwards from pay decision; Urban Transport; Council Key Performance Indicator report released (TAS); Stakeholders put their view to the National Water Commission .
09 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fairness test? There’s nothing fair about the Boystown Agreement
Boystown have told us all they have sent the Agreement you are now voting on to the Workplace Authority for pre-lodgement fairness testing. The Workplace Authority advises that employees should not vote on an agreement while awaiting the results of pre-lodgement fairness testing!
06 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Churches question fairness of WorkChoices
The Catholic Church has a long history dating back to the 1890s of advocacy for social and economic justice, including regarding industrial matters. Recently, the Church in Australia has assessed the new IR legislation against its social teachings and found WorkChoices seriously flawed and lacking balance. The Australian Catholic Commission for Employment Relations assessment can be found here: http://www.accer.asn.au/docs/papers/documents/WPRelations-LowRes.pdf
06 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Living standards of working families will go backwards from pay decision
Yesterday's pay rise for award workers, the lowest in ten years, is below the rate of inflation and means the living standards of many working Australians will go backwards says the ACTU.
06 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Water in public hands helps end poverty
As a key water industry union, the ASU campaigns to keep water in public hands. We recognise that crucial social infrastructure cannot be trusted in the hands of organisations whose first interest is profit. If this is the case in Australia, it is even truer in the third world. As part of the global events of July 7, 2007, the ASU is promoting the publication of “Water as a public service” a Public Services International (PSI) report revealing the devastating effects of privatising water.
06 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Energy privatisation puts emergency services at risk
The recent NSW storm crisis highlighted dangers in privatising the state’s electricity retailers, with consumers facing dangerous delays during power emergencies, the ASU-NSW United Services Branch has warned.
05 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Lowest pay rise for 10 years
Today's pay rise for award workers is the lowest rise in minimum wages for ten years and shows the Fair Pay Commission has only listened to big employer groups and the Howard Government says the ACTU.
05 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Former Commonwealth Government workers may have rights to super
As a result of recent developments in the High Court, some ASU airlines members may be able to seek to recover additional superannuation payments they previously were not entitled to.
05 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jetstar responds to EBA claims
At our meeting on 3rd July 2007 Jetstar management provided some response to our claims for improvements to our EBA. We have provided a summary of the responses.
04 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Young workers ripped off by restaurant chain under IR laws: Minister contradicted
In a move reminiscent of US-style conditions where café and restaurant employees work only for tips, a media report today reveals how a restaurant chain is using AWA individual contracts to systematically rip off scores of young workers under the Federal Government's IR laws.
04 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - July 2,, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Council’s precedent-setting blow against WorkChoices; Energy privatisation puts emergency services at risk; Industry Skills Councils Update - review complete; Western Sahara motion adopted at Unions NSW Council meeting; Another step towards private sector involvement in the delivery of water and wastewater services and infrastructure; WorkChoices is just not fair - IR laws used to deny sacked workers redundancy entitlements; $36.5M in new train safety initiatives; Iemma announces establishment of Rural and Regional Taskforce.
02 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Korean local government union facing severe attacks
The ASU's sibling union in Korea for local government workers is facing serious interference from the Korean Government. Union offices across the country are being forcibly closed, collective bargaining is not allowed and members are being pressured to resign from the KGEU, amongst other union-busting tactics.
02 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Boystown disgrace – we must vote NO to substandard EBA
On every level the Boystown EBA is a disgrace – whether it is the process for developing the EBA, the contents of the EBA or the Q&As that have been produced by the employer for staff, there is no way staff can support the EBA that has been recently sent out for vote.
02 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
Gordon and Gotch agreement overwhelmingly voted up
Gordon and Gotch staff have overwhelmingly voted up the Gordon and Gotch National Administration Agreement 2007. On 25 June 2007 the Office of the Employment Advocate (now the Workplace Authority) sent a Declaration Receipt to the ASU confirming operation of the agreement.
02 July 2007 [ full story ]
|
June 2007 |
IR laws used to deny sacked workers redundancy entitlements
After years of loyal service at Pele Curtains in the suburb of Mitcham, Denise and eight of her workmates were given just 15 minutes notice that they were being sacked.
29 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Will Fuji Xerox rollover your agreement? NO!
After weeks of attempting to negotiate a full rollover of your Award and current agreement, it has become clear that Fuji Xerox do not want a full rollover. To date there have been two pre-alignment meetings, three full negotiation meetings and several rounds of feedback to all engineers around the country.
28 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Travel and tourism industry report released
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation conducted an Inquiry into Workforce Challenges in the Australian Tourism Sector and has now tabled its final report and recommendations. The ASU presented both written and verbal submissions to the Inquiry.
27 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Global study finds regulated in-house call centres are better
A major global study on call centres involving 17 countries and coordinated by Cornell University in the United States challenges perceptions of call centre management and employment. Evidence from the study reveals cost-focussed call centres create low quality jobs, customer dissatisfaction and employee turnover.
27 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Eastern bargaining off and running!
All of the Claims in the table below, endorsed by Eastern Australia Airlines ASU members, have now been presented to QantasLink management at the first bargaining meeting 21 June 2007.
26 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
World youth demands: make youth unemployment history
Through a declaration handed over to Kajo Wasserhoevel, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs for Germany, young people from throughout the world have called on G8 leaders to urgently address the economic and social issues that keep young people out of work or in precarious and insecure jobs without protection.
26 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Details of our claims tabled at Jetstar
Your ASU National Negotiating Team tabled most of the details of our claims at our meeting with Jetstar management on 21 June 2007.
26 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU Log of Claims presented to Sunstate Management
Your ASU Delegate Martin Hadfield and ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo met with David Hughes, Annie Schmidt and Peter O’Toole (Brisbane airport) on Thursday 21 June 2007.
26 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Public Services Bulletin - June 25, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Australian Fair Pay Commission decision on its way; Last week’s collapse of the private sector energy retailer 'ENERGY ONE'; COAG & Parallel Ministerial Unions Group (CPMUG); Industry skills development for ASU public sector members; What have we traded away; Government Skills Australia (GSA); plus more.
25 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal laws found to breach the human rights of same sex couples
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) today released its “Same-Sex: Same Entitlements” report arising from its National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits. The report finds that although negative discrimination as a result of anomalies in federal legislation is common for people in same sex relationships, only small changes are needed to rectify this. The ASU presented both a written and verbal submission to the Inquiry which are closely addressed in the Report.
22 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Malaysia Airlines cuts airport jobs in Melbourne and Sydney
Malaysia Airlines has announced the total loss of 30 jobs at Melbourne and Sydney airports. The Company has determined they can no longer afford to directly employ. At this time there is no news of any reductions in flights.
21 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
The Smith Family staff support new Agreement
TSF staff have overwhelmingly voted up The Smith Family Social Enterprise Collective Agreement 2007.
21 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
What have we traded away?
AFTINET is holding a lunchtime seminar for activists, academics, journalists, community organisations, unions and interested members of the public to explore the impacts of the Australia/US Free Trade Agreement two years since the deal was ratified.
21 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Industry skills development for ASU public sector members
As a union that is working to advance members’ careers, increase skills available to local government and public services workers, the ASU has been a long standing contributor to the skills and competency framework recognition.
21 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
What the Boystown draft agreement says
We can’t show you a copy of the Boystown draft employee collective agreement as Boystown has marked it ‘commercial in confidence’. What we can do is take you through the key points of the draft and the issues that we believe will arise for you during the anticipated 5 year life of this agreement.
21 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Are Queers butch enough for the union?
Heralded as the Queer debate of the year, this event in the “Politics in the Pub” series is being held in Brisbane tomorrow night (June 21). The ASU GLAM group in Queensland has been active in the organisation of this event so join us and support the Queer Rights @ Work campaign!
20 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Together we will win
Jeff Lawrence, the ACTU’s Secretary Elect, says that the union movement must continue the campaign to defend workers’ rights, whatever the result of the federal election.
19 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - June 18, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ACTU Organising Conference themes; NZ local government unions touch base with ASU local government; Jeff Lawrence, ACTU Secretary-Elect: Address to ACTU Conference; plus assorted media releases.
19 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
SACS workers tell us your views
Following on from the launch of the ASU’s discussion paper, "Building Social Inclusion in Australia", which examines the priorities for the social and community services workforce, we are now seeking the views of SACS workers about some key issues.
19 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Describe your dream job and win an iPod
The current ACTU Worksite for Schools "Dream Job" competition closes soon (Friday June 29), so students need to get their entries in quickly!
19 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas proposes cuts to EBA conditions
The EBA 8 meeting on 13th June 2007 saw Qantas management table details of the Company’s Claims for cuts to some conditions in our next EBA.
18 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Rex risks your rights on chairs!
Following the fiasco that was the memo declaring employees could have their annual leave ‘forfeited’, Rex management have gone on another unlawful rampage to impinge on your rights to safe chairs!
15 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jeff Lawrence, ACTU Secretary-Elect: Address to ACTU Conference
Australians want to live in a nation that they can proudly say is fair, inclusive and where working people have a say – I want to work with Australian working families to ensure we return to these values, Jeff Lawrence, the ACTU Secretary-Elect said today.
14 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - June 11, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU superannuation campaign gets extra momentum; The ALP writes to all local government throughout Australia; Is local government for profits or services - the community's choice; Fight for the future; Pay rise for NSW workers; plus more.
12 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jetstar negotiations kick off
On 7th June 2007 the ASU Jetstar National Negotiating Team met with Company representatives to start discussions about our new Jetstar ASU EBA.
12 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Report from the Fuji Xerox negotiation meeting
ASU Delegates and officials have continued negotiating the Fuji Xerox Australia – Customer Support Agreement 2007 in Melbourne this week. ASU Delegates and employee representatives met in Melbourne to negotiate the outstanding items on the table, to hear the feedback from meetings around the country and work on the draft document.
07 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Western Sahara journalist asks Australia to support the UN
Malainin Lakhal, Secretary General of the Saharawi Writers’ and Journalists’ Union, is in Australia for a two month speaking tour. Malainin is seeking support for a long-promised United Nations’ referendum of self-determination for Western Sahara, North Africa¹s last colony. He will also tell about Morocco’s illegal and brutal occupation of Western Sahara for the past 30 years, since Malainin was a small boy.
06 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Is local government for profits or services: the community's choice
Should councils be considered as trading corporations or as service providers? This question will determine the future evolution of local government.
06 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
Howard Government's workplace laws to be examined by ILO for third year in a row
The Howard Government's workplace laws will be examined at a hearing later this week into whether they comply with international labour standards.
05 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - June 4, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: NSW electricity privatisation – opposition by USU NSW; Queensland local government & water industry; ASU gets ALP policy change on water industry; ASU national industry division meetings coming up; Latest International Transport Federation (ITF) railway industry bulletin; Government needs an education in early childhood; plus more.
05 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU survey reveals working families under pressure
ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch Secretary, Ingrid Stitt said the Howard Government is out of touch when it comes to judging the mood of the electorate towards the IR laws. A survey of 200 ASU Private Sector Branch members, which limited respondents to those people who had family responsibilities – caring for young children, elderly parents or another relative – found a high level of concern about WorkChoices and a lack of flexibility in workplaces.
04 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
All governments should sign up to new charter to protect workers' health and safety: ACTU
A new charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers' compensation that sets out the minimum health and safety and compensation standards is being launched today by the ACTU.
04 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
'Tell 'em they're dreaming'
'Tell 'em they're dreaming' - would surely be the response of Darryl Kerrigan the character played by Michael Caton in the famous Australian film 'The Castle' to revelations that workers will be forced to go to the High Court to challenge a compensation ruling under the new 'fairness test'.
04 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU does not support delay in the abolition of Building and Construction Commission (ABCC)
The Australian Council of Trade Unions does not support today's announcement by the ALP that if elected to Government it would delay the abolition of the Howard Government's Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) until January 2010.
01 June 2007 [ full story ]
|
May 2007 |
160,000 workers lose overtime pay and Minister Hockey doesn't care
The Minister for Workplace Relations Joe Hockey has sought to deliberately mislead the public over the loss of workers' overtime loadings and penalty rates in the first 13 months of the Government's new IR laws says the ACTU.
30 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Meeting makes progress with Boystown
Friday 25 May saw representatives of the ASU and Boystown meet to discuss the Boystown proposals which have been presented around the country. The purpose of this meeting was to hear explanations from Boystown on their agreement proposals and to discuss process.
29 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tinkering with WorkChoices will not make it fair
Workers will not be guaranteed full financial compensation for award conditions lost under the Federal Government’s industrial relations laws according to the details of the Government’s new WorkChoices amendments introduced into Parliament late yesterday (Monday). The ACTU has identified major holes in the so-called ‘Fairness Test’ with around 2.5 million workers who will not be covered by the ‘test’ because they are on already-registered AWAs & Agreements, earn more than $75,000 a year or are award-free.
29 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
A sweet spot for some – cuts for others
In the same week that CEO Geoff Dixon told anyone who would listen that the Qantas Group is in a “sweet spot”, Qantas management has tabled a set of cuts in conditions that they want in EBA8. Although there is not a great amount of detail, below is the table about the Claims that came from the management representatives.
28 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - May 28, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Queensland local government; Unions call for 'right to worship' protections in AWAs (NSW); Privatising energy retail breaches election promise (NSW); Ministerial Council on Energy communiqué (FED); Your Rights at Work (YRAW) Information Session Friday 13th July – Darwin; Local Government May 2007 - Government Skills Australia (GSA); NSW Commission to hand down young worker test case; New principles to protect kids at work (NSW); Parliament passes new state laws to help offset WorkChoices impact on Queenslanders (QLD)
28 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU meetings across the country at Fuji Xerox
Detailed information has been provided to ASU members by Fuji Xerox ASU Delegates following the negotiation meeting of the 14 May. Whilst some meetings are still to occur in Victoria and NSW, the vast majority have been completed across the country. ASU Delegates and your negotiating Reps have since met via teleconference to discuss the progress of the meetings.
28 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU to meet with Boystown
As a result of your strong views being expressed on union involvement at Boystown, a meeting has been scheduled between Boystown and representatives of the ASU on Friday 25 May at the Milton offices.
24 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
It pays to know your rights at REX
A memo to all staff at REX has been distributed which lists the full names all employees who have over 80 hours of accrued annual leave and the amount of leave they have accrued. The memo has also been reported in the ‘Friday files’. This memo states that if the leave is not taken it will be forfeited!
23 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Paid Maternity Leave Rally - Sydney
As you may know, Australia is one of only two developed nations that does not provide paid maternity leave.
23 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Average worker takes 10 years to earn what MacBank CEO gets in 1 week
While the Prime Minister continues to defend exorbitant executive salaries and urges big business to support his IR laws, new research by the ACTU shows the average worker would take 10 years to earn what Macquarie Bank CEO Alan Moss earns in a week.
22 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - May 21, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU address the HSU national conference; ASU address the HSU national conference; Sport & Recreation = local government = advisory committee; ASU superannuation booklet now going world wide; ASU asked to comment on of GRI – for contractors; Local government changes must improve, not decrease, services; Qld council mergers; Privatisation near record levels in 2005; plus more.
21 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Community Services Workers’ Forum - Tasmania
The Australian Services Union Tasmanian Branch will be conducting a Community Services Workers’ Forum during the month of May in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. The theme for the forum is “Securing our future wages and conditions”. All community services workers, management committees, and board members are welcome to attend.
21 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU recommends TSF members vote YES
Members at The Smith Family would by now be aware of the finalisation of the proposed The Smith Family Social Enterprise Collective Agreement 2007.
21 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Time to participate in Review of Community Services Training Package
The Community Services Training Package CHC02 Review Draft 1 material is now available for stakeholder review & feedback. This follows a recent meeting of the Steering Committee for the Review which is chaired by ASU Assistant National Secretary, Linda White.
21 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fairness is no laughing matter!
Working people and families know John Howard’s unfair and extreme IR laws stink to high heaven. The majority of people know that his AWA individual contracts cut pay and hard-won conditions. Fairness and decency in the workplace ranks as a key issue for most Australians.
18 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Local government changes must improve, not decrease, services any net loss of jobs is unacceptable
By ASU Queensland Services Branch
Queensland’s largest local government union, the Australian Services Union – Services Branch (ASU Services), today said any changes to the State’s local government boundaries and administration arrangements must improve, not decrease, services.
18 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Howard Government is to promote same old IR laws with a new name
The Howard Government is wasting taxpayers' money to promote the same old IR laws but with a new name says the ACTU.
18 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
New name - same old IR laws: govt move to ban references to 'Workchoices' is a cover-up
In a further attempt to cover up the impact of its unfair IR laws on working families, it has been revealed today that the telephone hotline set up to promote the Federal Government's new IR laws is to change its name and ban all references to 'WorkChoices'.
17 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Around the traps at Virgin Blue
There are a number of topical issues around Virgin Blue at the moment. Here is a snapshot.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Diners Club appeal Ansett decision
On 4th May 2007 the Supreme Court of Victoria ordered that Diners Club pay the Ansett administrators over $15 million in proceedings in relation to a debt owed by Diners Club to Ansett under a merchant agreement.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
UnionsWA LGBTI Workers Rights Conference
The third annual UnionsWA LGBTI Workers Rights conference is being held on the evening of Thursday 25 and all day Friday 26, finishing with the union float in the Perth Pride Parade on Saturday 27 October.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Fuji Xerox negotiations commence
Negotiations have commenced with the full committee at Fuji Xerox for the new Customer Support Union Collective Agreement 2007.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Bargaining to start soon at Sunstate
Our Log of Claims for the next Sunstate EBA has been given to Sunstate management and Industrial Relations today. As everyone knows our Claims were compiled after surveying staff and then holding meetings to confirm we were all happy with what was claimed.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Let the bargaining begin at Eastern Australia Airlines
After consultation across Eastern Australia Airlines locations, we have now endorsed our Log of Claims for our next EBA.
16 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
1967 Referendum commemorations across Victoria
The 27th May marks the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, in which more than 90% of Australians voted to remove clauses from the constitution which discriminated against Indigenous people.
15 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - April 2007
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: Report of the Director-General - Equality At Work; PSI regional executive meet and endorsees utility sector report and action plan; TRUenergy is the first electricity company to try sending Australian jobs to India; Water privatisation halted in Quito; Korean Government Employees’ Union; EWC of German energy company RWE reaches agreement on restructuring; plus more.
15 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Mining companies should say if they will respect basic democratic rights
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has called on Australia's mining companies to clearly state whether they will respect two fundamental and internationally recognised democratic rights - the freedom to join and be represented by a union, and the right of workers to bargain collectively with their employer if that is what a majority of employees in a workplace want.
15 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - May 14, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: The Workers’ IR Scorecard; ASU meets with ALP local government shadow Minister; ASU speaks up for library, art galleries and museums; ACTU – OH&S Seminar for union officials; Investment in skills and education needed: 550,000 jobs at risk; Childcare costs hold families back; Youth Leadership Opportunity; Women will get a better deal under a Rudd Labor Government; plus more.
14 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Boystown staff say Yes to union agreement
The ballot asking the question do Boystown employees want union involvement in their agreement has been declared today. An overwhelming majority of employees voted YES for union!
11 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Factsheet on the Government’s new so called "Fairness Test"
John Howard crumbled under the pressure of our two year campaign against his IR laws and effectively conceded that they were hurting working families. Faced with unrelenting evidence and public pressure, Mr Howard effectively admitted that the IR laws have led to an alarming loss of penalty rates, overtime pay, public holiday loadings and other formerly protected award conditions.
10 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Jetstar negotiations ready for takeoff
ASU members at Jetstar have now endorsed our Claim for the next round of enterprise bargaining negotiations at Jetstar.
10 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
New ABS data proves Govt wrong: Jobs growth is lower than before new IR laws
Today's ABS data reveals that the number of new jobs created over the past year is less than were created in the year to April 2005, prior to the release of the Government's new IR laws.
10 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Budget fails working families
This Budget fails working families in the three key areas it set out to achieve - the tax cuts are inadequate, the education measures give no special boost for public schools and nothing for TAFE, and with a lack of significant new investment in infrastructure & innovation there is no economic vision.
09 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Mothers Day Classic Fun Run
Mother's Day - Sunday 13th May - is less than a week away, and 2007 marks the tenth year of the Mother's Day Classic - the annual walk or run for breast cancer research.
08 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Private equity for Qantas fails
The Qantas Unions and our members have welcomed the decision by the majority of Qantas shareholders to reject the Airline Partners bid for Qantas.
07 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Boystown still confused, or are they?
It appears the confusion throughout Boystown continues. The more we try to understand exactly what is occurring to your wages and conditions through the formation of a new industrial instrument, the more Boystown muddies the waters.
07 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - May 6, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: National Local Government Skills Forum; Labor's full IR policy announced; Howard govt resorts to bullying councils into Work Choices; Employers are easily able to evade new ‘Fairness Test’ Briefing Note for Unions from the ACTU; Senator seeks intervention on council mergers; TRUenergy is the first electricity company to try sending Australian jobs to India; plus more.
06 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU launches social inclusion discussion paper
Last week Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Gillard launched the ASU’s discussion paper titled ‘Building Social Inclusion in Australia – priorities for the social and community services sector workforce’.
04 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Linda White re-elected to ALP National Executive
ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White has been re-elected to the ALP National Executive after completing her first term which began in 2004. Linda is one of 20 people voted on to this important body by the 400 delegates at the ALP National Conference held in Sydney last week.
03 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Business outcry over ALP plan to scrap AWAs is political rather than factual
The outcry of business groups ACCI and BCA against Labor's plan to scrap AWA individual contracts shows some business leaders are more interested in playing politics than responding to genuine community concern over the Federal Government's IR laws says the ACTU.
03 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
New push by employers to undercut the legal minimum wage for real estate agents
A new push by major employers in the real estate industry to introduce a commission-only wages system could result in agency salespeople being paid less than the minimum legal wage.
03 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
Boystown confused!
All employees of Boystown, Kids Help Line and Parent Line in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia have received a very confusing memo from Chief Executive Jim Firman. The memo says that issues regarding your wages and conditions will be addressed in the next three months. The voting form attached to that memo says that you will be asked to vote on a collective workplace agreement in May!
02 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
May Day start for EBA negotiations
The ASU negotiations for the Qantas EBA 8 fittingly commenced on 1 May 2007 or May Day, which is internationally recognised as the day to commemorate and celebrate workers’ struggles to achieve fairness and equality.
02 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
It is official: TRUenergy is the first electricity company to try sending Australian jobs to India
Yesterday morning, TRUenergy workers were told that their worst fears would be realised. The Credit, Billing, IT and registration management functions of the business will be outsourced to IBM. The majority of roles will be sent to India, with a few being outsourced locally. This means that 200 workers will lose their jobs and another 66 must move to IBM, but there is worse to come.
01 May 2007 [ full story ]
|
April 2007 |
May Day 2007 - one year of WorkChoices is one year too long
May Day is an international day to commemorate workers' struggles over the years to achieve fairness in our societies. For Australians, our celebrations cluster around April and May with rallies and picnics and music spectaculars, but the constant theme in 2007 is that after one year of WorkChoices, we are seeing the inequities develop that we expected. We need to get rid of this legislation to ensure that our rights are restored and protected.
30 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Labor’s IR policy offers a balanced IR system for a strong economy & fair workplaces: says ACTU
Working families now have a clear choice about the future direction of industrial relations in Australia following the release of Labor’s industrial relations policy, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said today.
28 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Tomorrow remember workers who died or were injured at work
Each year, the Australian union movement observes Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April with commemorative events organised by the state and territory trades and labor councils. Tragically, 2007 has seen a dramatic increase in workplace fatalities in Australia compared to the same time last year across a number of states. There have been 11 fatalities to date in Victoria and 12 in Western Australia. Well over 2000 workers die each year at work in Australia.
27 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU wins solid undertakings from Sensis Pty Ltd
As a result of significant ASU membership in areas of the Trading Post affected by the transmission to Sensis Pty Ltd, the ASU has won undertakings from the company which provide strong protections for ASU members during this period.
26 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Brisbane call centre workers reject WorkChoices non-union agreement
Brisbane call centre Australian Communications Exchange (ACE) workers have voted overwhelmingly to reject the company’s attempt to impose a substandard WorkChoices non-union agreement on them.
24 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Vale David Taylor
David Taylor, a Life Member of the ASU-WA Branch and a National Executive delegate for thirty years, passed away in Perth on April 18, 2007.
24 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - April 23, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ACTU Statement - ALP pledges to give all Australian workers protection from unfair dismissal; ASU lists all energy awards and EBAs; Local government calls for improved information flows on local government reforms (NT); French multinational takes money from low-paid Sydney workers with Howard’s AWAs (FED); Report from Australia Productivity Commission; Union says council review will not result in mass redundancies; New state laws to help offset WorkChoices impact on Queenslanders; NSW's IR Minister and Qld IR Minister opposed to hand over of IR powers; Government seeks input for new direction (NSW); SA childcare staff crunch; Flexibility is all one way under Govt IR laws: working families worse off on AWAs - new data; $9.9M injection for new local government (NT); plus more.
23 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Strong ASU women are winners!
Member Connect, the ACTU’s member services body, recently held a competition for photos from International Women’s Day 2007 and one of the winning photos was from the ASU!
20 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
What are you doing this Sunday? Great events in Sydney and Melbourne!
In Sydney it’s Rockin’ For Rights at the SCG with an incredible line up of performers and in Melbourne it’s the Union & Community Family Fun Day at the Myer Music Bowl with a range of activities planned. Get your family and friends together and head out to show your support for rights at work and be entertained to boot!
20 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
QLD local government to undergo historic reform while the LGAQ pushes to use AWAs in the workplace
The Queensland Local Government and Planning Minister, Andrew Fraser, has announced the establishment of the ‘Queensland Local Government Reform Commission’ which will spend three months considering new boundaries for the long term sustainability of local government across the state.
20 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
NT local government reform
The Australian Services Union (ASU) sits on the NT Local Government Advisory Board. The ASU at the last NT LGAB meeting in Darwin on April 3 & 4, 2007, advised it would take a leadership role and seek to ensure that employees in the NT Local Government Sector get better protections to their employment conditions than those in the Federal Workplace Relations Act.
19 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Secret Government report confirms AWAs are cutting pay and conditions for Australian working families
Details of a secret Government report revealed in today's newspapers confirm that AWA individual contracts registered under the Federal Government's new IR laws are cutting the pay and conditions of Australian workers at an alarming rate says the ACTU.
17 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Private equity raiders real plans unearthed
The hidden plans of the consortium attempting to buy Qantas have now been unearthed as details of a 4.5 billion raid on Qantas have been discovered.
17 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal Government voting rule changes could rob young workers hurt by IR laws of their vote
Strict new Federal Government voting rules that take effect today (Monday 16 April) will make it much harder for young people who have suffered as a result of the new IR laws to vote in the upcoming Federal election says the ACTU.
16 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - April 16, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: We need more super, but how do we get it?; NSW councils vote with their feet (NSW); NSW councils reject WorkChoices (NSW);WorkChoices legal battles has minister in a spin (QLD); Confusion reigns in councils over WorkChoices while workers and communities face paying the price; What have state governments done? How have they responded?; Campaign for NSW human rights charter to be launched by Bob Debus; Ask the Australian Government to significantly boost funding for child care; Rockin’ for Rights – march to the concert on April 22; Union and community family day in Melbourne on April 22; Energy Australia gets 14 weeks paid maternity leave – plus salary/wage increase.
16 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
We need more super, but how do we get it?
The ASU has produced “We need more superannuation”, a resource designed to assist members and their union representatives to include increased superannuation contributions as part of their claims on employers in agreement negotiations. It is widely understood that the legislated minimum super contribution of 9% is not sufficient to maintain workers’ living standards in retirement, so the ASU recognises the need to pursue better super for our members in other forums.
13 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Confusion reigns in councils over WorkChoices while workers and communities face paying the price
Australia’s local government union, the ASU, has today questioned councils that are looking to take away the pay and entitlements of thousands of workers who serve communities through the provision of local services. Councils are striving to bring their workers under the WorkChoices regime despite the fact that such a move may yet prove unconstitutional. Under WorkChoices, council workers face massive reductions in pay and conditions which will not only affect them and their families, but the communities they serve.
12 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Queensland local government leaders must decide - are they in government or are they in business?
The Australian Services Union (ASU) Queensland Services Branch has called on all elected local councillors in Queensland, including every shire and city mayor, to publicly state whether they believe they are working for the third level of government, under the State Government, or whether they are working for a trading corporation similar to Coles and Woolworths.
12 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - April 10, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Assessing local government revenue raising capacity; Australia's Federal Future – a report to the Council for the Australian Federation; New data reveals growing support for unions: ABS figures are incorrect; ASU finalises agenda for local government skills forum; Powerful skills for 2000 Country Energy employees; SA Unions has welcomed a state government inquiry into WorkChoices; Workers welcome local dispute resolution powers; Government Skills Australia Water Industry (technical) advisory industry group; Are TRUenergy’s customers excited about sending Australian jobs to India?; National training agenda for local govt and water industries; Draft National Rail Safety Guidelines; ASU–PSI water and electricity industry forum & steering group; WA: New system to deal with complaints about local government conduct; plus more
10 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
PM appeal to big business for help selling new IR laws is sign of desperation
The Prime Minister’s appeal to business for help selling its unfair IR laws is a sign of the Howard Government’s increasing desperation with the depth of widespread community opposition to the Government’s workplace laws says the ACTU.
05 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Workers’ rights to Easter public holidays are being slowly but surely eroded under IR laws
No extra pay for working the Easter weekend is becoming the norm for workers in the retail sector as more employers use the Coalition Government’s new IR laws to abolish public holiday penalty rates say unions.
05 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
An Easter present for Qantas
ASU members across Australia have now resoundingly endorsed our Claim for the Qantas – QFIT EBA 8. This follows the recommendation from the Qantas Delegates meeting held on February 7 and 8, 2007.
04 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Rockin' for Rights • a Your Rights at Work concert in Sydney
UnionsNSW presents Rockin' for Rights, an extravaganza of Aussie rock talent committed to standing with the workers of Australia to overturn John Howard's new industrial relations laws. On Sunday April 22 protesters will assemble at Hyde Park north at 11am and then march to the Sydney Cricket Grand where some of Australia's top music acts will be rockin' for your rights at work.
03 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
Ansett Employee Update Number 49 and Seventh Report to Creditors
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 49) is now available on this website. It provides a general update to creditors on the status of the administration as at 31 December 2006.
03 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - April 2, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Local Government in Queensland; The Northern Territory Government; Government Skills Australia Water Industry (technical) advisory industry group; Are TRUenergy’s customers excited about sending Australian jobs to India?; Local government funding; National training agenda for local govt and water industries; Water industry members/operators new tool is on its way to improve quality; Draft National Rail Safety Guidelines; Financial framework for councils gets green light (SA); Review of financial sustainability of local government in Tasmania; WA: New system to deal with complaints about local government conduct.
02 April 2007 [ full story ]
|
March 2007 |
Seven things you need to know about the new IR laws at Qantas Staff Credit Union
Qantas Staff Credit Union (QSCU) has decided that the best form of employment contract for all employees is a ‘WorkChoices’ individual contract.
31 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU delegates in info tech: active•strong•united
ASU Delegates across IT and Business Equipment companies have shown that their united strength can bring about change for good in their workplace. The following is a roundup of what is occurring.
31 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASUshop new gear
A series of new products have recently been added to the ASUshop. New books and new attire, along with the latest ASU bag are part of the range. Also, the varied Your Rights at Work slogan on stickers: "worth fighting and VOTING for".
30 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Show of confidence in ASU leadership
As previously reported, 2007 is an election year for the ASU leadership. Nominations for positions closed this week (on Wednesday, March 28) and all Branch Secretaries have been returned unopposed. This indicates an unequivocal show of confidence by our members in the Union's leadership.
30 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU calls for $28 a week pay rise for over one million award workers
The ACTU has today called for a pay rise of $28 a week for more than a million award workers to reverse the slide in living standards that Australia’s working families are experiencing under the new IR laws.
30 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Are TRUenergy’s customers excited about sending Australian jobs to India?
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has today launched a public campaign to put pressure on TRUenergy to reverse its decision to send hundreds of Australian jobs to India.
29 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Union and Community Family Fun Days
Join us for a day of fun at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, one of Melbourne's landmark venues. Unions and community groups will come together to call for equity and justice for working families. Family Fun Days are also scheduled to occur throughout Australia in the coming two months.
28 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Consultation over TSF agreement proposal
Following recent meetings between TSF and the ASU negotiating team; membership information sessions are being organised between Monday 26 March and Wednesday 3 April to discuss a draft proposal for an agreement.
27 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
One year of WorkChoices shows new Fed Govt IR laws are hurting working families
With the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws proving a strong negative for the Liberal Party in the weekend's NSW State election the ACTU will today issue a report showing that after a year of WorkChoices the new IR laws are hurting Australian working families.
27 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - March 26, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU meets with sport and recreation industry; Local government child care; ASU moves on combined union and local government employer skills issues; OECD report urges cities to adopt flexible strategies and smart taxes; The Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Hockey has advised local government is a GREY area; One year of WorkChoices shows Federal Govt's new IR laws are hurting working families; Adelaide City Council staff has rejected a workplace agreement proposal; Authorisation to St George Region of Councils for collective waste, recycling services; New Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7th Edition; ESI Transmission Distribution Rail National Training Advisory Group; Local government report card calls parties to account (NSW).
26 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Campaign launched to protect vulnerable South Australians
South Australia faces a collapse in services for its poorest, most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens unless the state government makes an urgent and substantial investment in the community services sector.
23 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Government support – but private equity bid hits turbulence
Despite strong public opposition the Howard Government has cleared the way for the private equity takeover of Qantas. The Howard Government has shown it has little interest in protecting the long-term interests of Qantas or the interests of over 35,000 Qantas employees by approving the private equity bid for Qantas.
23 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - February 2007
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: ASU Water Industry Division; Water, Women and Workers - Sources of Life; PSI - International labour movement protests against WorkChoices; ASU on energy reform; plus more.
23 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Harmony Day is about saying no to discrimination based on race
Racial discrimination is one the many areas that trade unions must tackle on behalf of their members. Any form of negative discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere is opposite to the the Australian value of a fair go. The ASU supports Harmony Day today as one part of the giant jigsaw that makes sure we live in a civil society.
21 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Update on Qantas Takeover Campaign
Yesterday saw a number of developments in the Qantas Unions Takeover campaign with both the report of the Senate Inquiry and the findings of the Takeovers Panel. Following is a brief overview of each.
21 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - March 19, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU meets with ALP Shadow Minister for Water; ALP Infrastructure policy – ASU has input; ASU National Electricity/Energy Division; Create; Working with Branches; ASU meets with Beijing Municipal Union Federation; Sport and Recreation Industry training package review; Resource sharing delivers for ratepayers.
19 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU tells inquiry – ‘Keep Jetstar Australian’
The ASU has followed our written submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics, Inquiry into the Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill with presentations to the Committee at parliament House on Tuesday 13 March 2007.
16 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU launches hard-hitting ad linking Liberals to big business cutting back conditions under IR laws
The ACTU this week released their hard-hitting new TV advertisement ‘Boys in the Boardroom’, which will go to air next week. The advertisement features suited businessmen sitting in a corporate boardroom, discussing how they can use the Howard Government’s new IR laws to increase company profits by scrapping conditions like overtime rates and public holiday pay and cutting workers’ take home pay.
15 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU to appear at Senate Inquiry into Qantas Sale Bill
ASU representatives will appear before the Senate Economics Committee’s Inquiry into the Qantas Sale (Keep Jetstar Australian) Amendment Bill in Canberra today. This Inquiry is into a Bill proposed by Victorian Senator Fielding late in February 2007 to deal with possible loopholes in the Qantas Sale Act 1992.
13 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Rail safety day in Australia means more that just preventing accidents – it means job security and a strong union voice
The Australian Services Union, which represents operational, support and administrative staff in Australia's rail and public transport networks, is supporting the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Railway Workers’ Action Day today.
13 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Union slams Hockey over Qantas WorkChoices Defence
Australian Services Union Branch Secretary Julie Bignell has slammed federal Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey over his claims that the Government’s WorkChoice laws were not to blame for Qantas allegedly discriminating against employees returning from maternity leave.
13 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas mums paying to work
The Australian Services Union has today lodged a series of complaints on behalf of members with the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) alleging that Qantas has breached the Sex Discrimination Act.
12 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Brisbane call centre bans workers from celebrating International Women’s Day and threatens jobs may be offshored
Brisbane call centre Australian Communications Exchange (ACE) has been caught out banning an International Women's Day (IWD) morning tea organised by workers for IWD today, 8 March 2007.
08 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
International Women's Day 2007 - get active and celebrate!
Women across the ASU are celebrating International Women's Day (IWD) 2007 on March 8 by recognising their achievements in their workplaces to date and learning more about their environment, their communities and learning how to become more active.
07 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
2007 ASU Women's campaign launched
"Don't Be Too Polite Girls" is the campaign theme for ASU women in 2007. The campaign was launched by Assistant National Secretary Linda White during the 2006 ASU National Conference in Sydney. ASU women gathered from all around Australia for breakfast to hear from Linda and Elisabeth Wynhausen, author of 'Dirt cheap: Life at the wrong end of the job market'.
07 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Women now earn $100 a week less than men: ACTU analysis shows widening gender pay gap
A new ACTU analysis shows women in full time jobs now earn $100 a week less than men and that the pay gap for working women is getting wider. Full time women now earn on average 10% less than men — the same gender pay gap as 1978, almost 30 years ago.
07 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Cuts to overtime pay, penalty rates and rest breaks under the IR laws are the focus of new union TV ad campaign
The ACTU yesterday began a new national television ad campaign to highlight the loss of overtime pay, penalty rates, rest breaks and other important job conditions under the Federal Government's IR laws.
06 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU election year 2007
All elected positions in the ASU are up for re-election this year.
06 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
New report shows Federal Govt is failing working families says ACTU
A new report released today shows that Australian working families are under enormous pressure as a result of long, irregular working hours and a lack of job security.
06 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - March 5, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: Rocking for Rights at the Sydney Cricket Ground; St George Region of Councils for collective waste and recycling collection services; Della Bosca intervenes in dismissal case involving OHS issues; Women's organisations concerned by reports that women are doing worse under WorkChoices; New website to help young workers get a fair go (NSW); Energy sector leaves Howard isolated; Denmark: top satisfaction for day-care centres.
05 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
Update on the Community Services Training Package Review
The Steering Committee for the Review of the Community Services Training package met on 12 February 2007 to discuss the timetable and work on this very important training package for ASU members and for the SACS sector generally. Assistant National Secretary Linda White chairs the Steering Committee.
01 March 2007 [ full story ]
|
February 2007 |
New figures show workers on Fed Govt AWAs are working longer hours for less pay
New figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show employees in non-managerial jobs that are on the Federal Government's AWA individual contracts are working longer hours and for less pay than workers on collective agreements.
28 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - February 26, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: We need more superannuation; How are states responding to WorkChoices legislation; Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the parallel Ministerial Councils; Shadow Minister meets with ASU National Local Government Division.
26 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Working families suffering real wage cuts under IR laws: new ABS data reveals
New ABS data on Average Weekly Earnings released yesterday (22 Feb.) reveals that Australian working families are suffering under the new IR laws with average weekly earnings for full time employees failing to keep up with the cost of living.
23 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU on energy reform
The Australian Services Union has thrown its weight behind the state governments in telling the Federal Government’s Council of Australian Government s (COAG) to leave the state electricity industry in the hands of the states to manage and to regulate.
21 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
MPs raise concerns over Qantas buyout
The proposed private equity bid for Qantas is facing growing public opposition. The Qantas unions and the ACTU are working together to oppose the private equity buyout of Qantas.
20 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - February 19, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: The ASU National Energy/Electricity Division meets; ASU–ACTU energy and the environment; ASU meets with more federal politicians to make sure ASU is heard; Government Skills Australia; Spiralling childcare cost force parents out of the workforce.
19 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-ACTU energy and the environment seminar
The ASU participated late last week in an energy futures seminar with the ACTU and unions interested in the issue of global warming, the environment, the future of the Australian electricity/energy industry and employment and job security. The seminar was addressed by a range of speakers from the CSIRO, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), the United Nations, electricity industry providers, industry investors, state owned energy/electricity corporations and unions including the ASU.
19 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Mardi Gras 2007: I love my rights at work!
The next Mardi Gras 2007 parade is on Saturday 3 March. WorkersOut! is again coordinating the combined unions' entry to the parade. All lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex unionists, your friends, family and supporters are welcome to join us on this great night.
16 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Unions to pursue climate change solutions including carbon trading scheme, renewable energy sources and green building codes
Unions, including the ASU, are holding a national meeting today in Sydney to develop solutions to the growing problem of climate change and global warming that will protect jobs, including those of coal miners, and at the same time put Australian industries on a more environmentally sustainable footing.
16 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASIC launches civil penalty proceedings against James Hardie directors
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced today that it has commenced civil penalty proceedings against James Hardie Industries and others, including Ms Meredith Hellicar, Mr Peter Macdonald, Mr Peter Shafron.
15 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Get poverty on the agenda for the Federal Budget
The ASU is a supporter of the Make Poverty History campaign and as such we ask our subscribers and members to consider supporting the campaigns latest action to have poverty on the agenda in the lead up to the next Federal Budget.
15 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Women workers and low paid worst affected by IR laws: new research shows
Contrary to the Federal Government's promise that conditions for award workers would be 'protected by law', new research by Professor David Peetz shows that almost 20,000 employees are losing award coverage every month under the new IR laws and that pay for female workers is falling.
13 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - February 12, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU supports local government child care call; Electricity industry skills training council; ASU meets with more federal politicians to make sure ASU is heard; ASU Railway and Public Transport Division; Promoting access to safe, sufficient and affordable water for all; Northern Territory Government Local Government; plus more.
12 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU Qantas delegates’ meeting 2007
ASU delegates from Qantas, QFIT, Jetstar, Sunstate and Eastern met together in Sydney on 7th & 8th February 2007 to consider the upcoming bargaining rounds in each airline, and to hear from key note speakers ACTU Secretary Greg Combet and Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon who both spoke on 8th February, the day of the company’s half-yearly profit announcement.
Over 70 delegates from most areas of the Qantas Group and all states and territories attended the meeting in their own time.
A separate report on the bargaining considerations and strategies will be given to members in each airline in further bulletins and at workplace meetings shortly.
09 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Qantas customer and service staff join sell-off protest
Qantas staff responsible for booking tickets and providing customer service will join protests in Canberra today raising concerns that the private equity sale will see more jobs sent offshore.
07 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
Federal Government must stand up for Australian jobs – ACT NOW
Our national airline Qantas is about to be sold off, and Treasurer Peter Costello refuses to guarantee that the jobs of Australian workers won't be sent offshore. You can act now to tell Costello to stand up for Australian jobs.
07 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU supports local government child care call
The ASU, the union that represents the majority of local government employees throughout Australia, has swung its support behind the Kevin Rudd and Jenny Macklin proposal to have local government play a critical role in co-ordinating the child care waiting lists for families.
06 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
New poll shows voters want Federal Govt to stand up for Australian jobs and oppose Qantas sale
80% of marginal seat voters say the Federal Government isn’t doing enough to stop Australian businesses being sold overseas and jobs lost offshore.
05 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - February 5, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU national railway and public transport division meets; ASU meets with the federal shadow minister Senator Kate Lundy; ASU National Local Government Division; Councils preparing to meet climate change; Majority of NSW councils reject WorkChoices (NSW); National standards for local government; Too little too late, Peter (NSW); plus more.
05 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
ACTU urges James Hardie shareholders to support asbestos compensation deal
Australian-based shareholders of James Hardie are to be briefed on the proposed compensation deal for asbestos victims at an Extraordinary Information Meeting being held by the company in Sydney today.
01 February 2007 [ full story ]
|
January 2007 |
Vote for ASU National Net as Labour Website of the Year
It’s your last chance to vote for ASU National Net in the Labour Website of the Year competition to show support for your source of workplace news.
30 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - January 29, 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ALP new directions for early childhood education; CSIRO Energy Futures Forum report; NSW Liberals to hand over IR to Howard; Local councils throughout Queensland reviewed.
29 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
Commission says bosses must not gag unions performing investigations of workplace breaches
Action by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in relation to an investigation last year by the ASU Taxation Officer’s Branch of breaches to a staff agreement has been found to be unreasonably obstructive by a Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC).
25 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
A big year of bargaining ahead in the Qantas Group
2007 is shaping up as a big year for enterprise bargaining in the Qantas Group with the EBAs in Qantas Airways, Sunstate Airlines, Eastern Australia Airlines and Jetstar Airways all expiring on 30 June 2007.
24 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
"Serving the public" bulletin - January 2007
"Serving the public" is the ASU's public services news bulletin. This edition contains the following items: ASU members working hard to keep our electricity supply happening; Jobs and families a priority for 2007 budget; Commuters return to rail in their millions; Families still going backwards under WorkChoices; ASU National Energy Division to meet; Waste Services Report.
22 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
‘Rock Enrol’ and Help Shape Your Future
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and triple j are helping to ‘Rock Enrol’, a campaign encouraging young people to have their voice heard by enrolling to vote.
19 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
Singapore Airlines sells jobs to India
Monday 15 January 2007 saw the announcement to affected employees in Sydney, Perth and Auckland that their jobs were no longer required and that their work was to be outsourced to India.
19 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
Thousands of Australians send message to the Government on Qantas sale
Since the launch of the Qantas Unions petition thousands of Australians have signed the petition calling on the Federal Government to intervene in the sale of Qantas to private equity interests. There is still plenty of time to get more signatures so download the petition from the Qantas unions website and get your family, friends and workmates to join the campaign.
19 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU goes big for Midsumma
The ASU has joined with a number of Victorian unions to coordinate celebrations in Pride for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex members of the union movement during the Midsumma festival.
18 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
AIRC confirms employer power to sack at will
The Full Bench of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has confirmed that the Howard Government's unfair IR laws give employers the power to sack staff without employees having the chance to appeal the decision.
16 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - December 2006
The current edition includes contributions on the following issues: Free ASU Energy Division poster; Australian Energy Futures Forum releases final report; National superannuation increases; NSW energy businesses not for sale; Increased investment in the Queensland electricity transmission network; Regulating the national australian energy market; plus more
15 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
International labour movement protests against WorkChoices
In solidarity with Australian workers, the Public Services International (PSI), of which the ASU is an affiliate, and other members of the international labour movement participated in a demonstration in front of the Australian mission in Geneva late last year against Howard’s WorkChoices legislation.
12 January 2007 [ full story ]
|
|
|
