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2008 Archive
December 2008 |
Report finds Toll Dnata airport staff 'significantly disadvantaged' by job contracts
An investigation by the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate has found that the AWAs and ITEAs offered to Toll Dnata staff at Melbourne’s airport 'significantly and unfairly disadvantaged' the employees, when compared to the Award.
23 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas finally acts on air rage at airports
After years of campaigning for signage at Qantas airports, Qantas management has finally agreed to erecting signs at check in desks across the country warning passengers that threatening or abusive behaviour towards staff or passengers will not be tolerated.
23 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - December 22, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Low paid workers face cuts to pay and conditions under proposed new modern awards; Infrastructure Australia; Ministerial Council on Energy; Energy White Paper; Public Safety Training Package; plus more.
23 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Rudd Government stands by as award safety net for women clerical workers cut savagely
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) decision on the final form of the first priority modern awards has savagely cut rates of pay and conditions for women clerical workers. The cuts affect clerical workers across the country and significantly reduce their safety net contrary to Government promises that workers would not be disadvantaged.
22 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid Maternity Leave - Put it in the 2009 Federal Budget
Right now the Government is looking at whether to include paid maternity leave in the 2009 Federal Budget - the Government needs to know you think that paid maternity leave is important. We cannot let it be dropped from the agenda.
22 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Workforce development on agenda in Homelessness White Paper
The ASU welcomes the Federal Government’s White Paper, “The Road Home – A National Approach to Homelessness” announcement to halve homelessness by 2020 and the recognition of the importance of a well trained, well resourced and well paid workforce if the Government’s targets are to be met.
22 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Child care has the chance to rise like the phoenix
Now is the time to reassess the future of child care in Australia, writes Paul Slape.
17 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - December 15, 2008
This edition contains the following items: PPPs & Infrastructure; $4.7 billion nation building package; $1.2 billion investment in rail infrastructure; $711 million investment to build better roads; $1.6 billion to build better universites and TAFEs; Next round of infrastructure projects; plus more.
17 December 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU Reps ask hard questions at Qantas AGM
ASU members across Qantas nominated the ASU to represent their views at the Qantas AGM on 28 November 2008. The Agenda for the AGM focused on the departure of Geoff Dixon and changes to Board membership.
17 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Time for business to create new green jobs and help solve global warming
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme announced today comes down on the side of caution by recognising the importance of existing industries, with the ACTU calling for the Government to keep open the possibility of higher greenhouse reduction target by 2020.
15 December 2008 [ full story ]
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ACTU sets out clear expectations for any Qantas merger
Yesterday the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (ACTU) executive passed a resolution of support and action in relation to the recent news that the Qantas Group is pursuing merger talks with British Airways.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Bargaining begins in earnest at NCR in 2008
Bargaining commenced at NCR on Tuesday 10 December at head office North Sydney. At the bargaining table are employee reps Alan Barnes (ASU), Michael Kane (ASU), Glenn Fuhrmann and Lindsey Lack, they are supported by ASU officials Jo Justo and Carl Harris.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear
The ASUshop has some great new gear including: ASU UNION t-shirts; ASU UNION satchels; Proud to be Union stickers; ASU post-it-notes; delegate ID cards; a range of new books and lots of our usual ASU badged gear in stock.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 56
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 56) is now available on this website. It provides information in relation to the payment of an eleventh dividend, administration strategy and an update on current litigation.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Tell Telstra it's time to listen and act
Union members in Telstra have been fighting for almost 12 months for the right make a union collective agreement. Despite strong staff support for making a union collective agreement, Telstra management are ignoring their employees and refusing to negotiate with unions.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Councils could prevent further 241 ABC child care centre closures in NSW
The 241 ABC learning centres at risk of closure in 2009 could be prevented if Local Governments act urgently and take on the centres in their areas, said the United Services Union today.
11 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Government support for ABC Learning until March welcomed - but only as breathing space
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has welcomed the commitment of the Federal Government to keep ABC Learning Centres open until March next year.
10 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - December 8, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Quality Public Services - addressing climate change in Australian unions; New Fair Work Bill; National Skills and Workforce Development announcement; TAFE fee waivers for child care qualification; plus more.
09 December 2008 [ full story ]
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ITF provides world outlook
The four ASU representatives who attended the recent International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) “Aviation and Climate Change” Conference in London have all come back with a broad outlook on what other countries are doing in our industry in response to the climate change debate.
08 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Coalition is being loose with the truth over IR
The Coalition is trying to hold onto WorkChoices by engaging in a campaign of exaggeration and distortion over industrial relations, say unions.
05 December 2008 [ full story ]
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ABC Learning announcement welcomed but only as short term solution
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has welcomed ABC Learning's receivers' commitment to continue to keep child care centres open into next year.
05 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas says downgrade all Airline Awards
In June 2008 the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) was asked by the Federal Government to review and “modernise” all Federal and State Awards over the next 18 months to form the basis of a new industrial relations system to commence on 1 January 2010. This process is known as Award Modernisation.
05 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Safe Work Bill changes are needed to strengthen workplace health and safety laws
All politicians should accept the Senate amendments to the Safe Work Bill and allow a swift passage for the legislation, says the ACTU. The Safe Work Bill 2008 will create a new national workplace health and safety body to oversee major reform of the nation’s health and safety laws.
04 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas seeks to impose more Drug and Alcohol Testing
Qantas Group Management has written to each of your unions to inform us that they want to implement a new Drug and Alcohol testing regime.
04 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Defend child care and defend jobs – Moreland Protest
Bring child care back into public hands. Give child care workers decent training and pay. ABC Learning centres look after 320 children in Moreland. Come to the protest rally this Saturday, December 6, at 11am at the Coburg Mall to raise your voice.
04 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Don’t be too polite girls! Tell us what you really think
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women officially launched the “Don’t Be Too Polite Girls! Tell us what you really think” 2008-2009 survey for ASU women members and their co-workers at the 2008 ASU National Conference Women’s Breakfast in Melbourne recently.
03 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Health equality for Indigenous Australians a step closer: Close the Gap Coalition welcomes COAG funding
The Close The Gap coalition has congratulated the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on taking substantial steps towards making health equality for Indigenous Australians a reality.
02 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Towards a Green New Deal: economic stimulus that will be good for the planet
The Federal Government can drive a massive increase in green jobs by combining focused economic stimulus with climate policies like a strong 2020 carbon pollution reduction target, a broad coalition of social, union, environment and economic groups said today.
02 December 2008 [ full story ]
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Women across Australia unite for paid parental leave
The ASU along with a range of national women’s organisations have united to pressure the Federal Government to confirm that paid parental leave will be included in the 2009 Budget.
02 December 2008 [ full story ]
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November 2008 |
ASU calls for support for local councils to take over failed child care centres
Many communities across Australia face the prospect of the closure of child care centres across their municipalities in the new year.
28 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - November 28, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Local Government Training Package; The Evatt Annual Lecture - Robert McClelland on Human Rights; Climate change is an opportunity to create one million ‘green jobs’; Introduction of the Fair Work Bill; Liberals are still being evasive on industrial relations laws; ABCC laws in disarray as DPP drops charges against unionist; plus more.
28 November 2008 [ full story ]
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New Year closure of ABC Learning Centres sparks ASU call for move to local government
The recent announcement that hundreds of ABC Learning Centres may close as early as 1 January 2009 has led to renewed calls from the Australian Services Union (ASU) to bring forward plans to transfer as many centres as possible to local government.
27 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Australia-wide rallies on Dec 2 in support of equal rights for all workers
STOP PRESS: DPP drops charges against Noel Washington. More information at Rights on Site media release "ABCC laws in disarray as DPP drops charges against unionist"
Mass rallies will be held in cities and towns across Australia in support of Noel Washington, a CFMEU official facing the possibility of a six month jail sentence for refusing to attend an ABCC interrogation about a union meeting. Noel faces court in Melbourne 2 December 2008.
26 November 2008 [ full story ]
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STOP PRESS - Charges against Noel Washington dropped
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has dropped charges against the CFMEU official Noel Washington today. This is a great victory for commonsense and a blow to the draconian ABCC. A new rally has been organised for Melbourne on December 2, details below. Check with your local labour council for other events around the country.
26 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Victorian Government issues death warrant to Workplace Rights Advocate
The Victorian Government’s decision to axe the Office of the Workplace Rights Advocate was a loss for Victorian workers, particularly private sector employees, ASU branch secretary Ingrid Stitt said today.
26 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid maternity, paternity and parental leave should become a basic right for all
ASU National Industrial Officer Jo Justo spoke at the Productivity Commission hearing yesterday in regard to paid maternity, paternity and parental leave becoming a basic right for all Australians.
26 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Violence against women: the great silent crime of our time
One in three Australian women will be a victim of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, this could be your mother, sister, daughter or friend, but there is something you can do to change this. By wearing a white ribbon on White Ribbon Day 25 Nov you are showing your support for the campaign that is working to prevent this widespread human rights abuse.
25 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - November 24, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Australian Council of Local Government; Asbestos Awareness Week; Catalyst / AIER forum Restoring Rights at Work; Climate change is an opportunity to create one million ‘green jobs’; Child care sector in crisis; plus more.
24 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Asbestos time bomb still haunts homes and workplaces
Asbestos-related disease remains a ticking time bomb for Australians because there is no nationally consistent approach to asbestos removal and management in buildings and infrastructure and poor data collection across states and territories.
24 November 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU National Office audited accounts, financial statements and operating report
The Workplace Relations Act requires that the financial affairs of unions are checked and audited every 12 months to make sure union funds are administered properly and to detect any shortcomings. Unions are also required to prepare an operating report. The National Executive and the Branches of the ASU each conduct their own audit and prepare their own reports.
21 November 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU says climate change is an economy saver
The Australian Services Union (ASU) says this week’s announcement of $300 million dollars in funding for Local Government should be used to further develop and maintain ‘green’ public services which could help boost the economy by creating thousands of new jobs.
20 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid Maternity Leave not negotiable in 2009 Federal Budget
The ACTU has outlined the immediate economic and social need to include an 18 week paid maternity leave scheme in the 2009 Federal Budget, in its latest submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave.
20 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Second child care crash increases pressure for return to local government
With the collapse of a second for profit child care provider, CFK Childcare Services, the Australian Services Union (ASU), has renewed its calls on the Federal Government to support a major return to local government for child care services.
20 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Union holds workplace blitz in Melbourne CBD to launch call centre campaign
About 100 union members will take to the streets in Melbourne’s CBD aided with calling cards and cup cakes and ring tones to launch a national call centre campaign today.
20 November 2008 [ full story ]
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The vote is in - congratulations Mission Australia workers!
Mission Australia workers from across the country have voted “Yes” to their new Collective Agreement. 465 workers of 1167 voted. The “Yes” vote was overwhelming at 90% – however it only represents the views of a little over one third (36%) of workers. We understand the low voting rate – try as we might to engage everyone – it’s been a long journey!
19 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Climate change is an opportunity to create one million ‘green jobs’
A new report finds that climate change is both a challenge and an opportunity for workers in industries like electricity, water services, and local government which the Australian Services Union represents.
19 November 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU 2020
The ASU National Conference 2008 commenced today in Melbourne. Deliberations will be based on the key theme of looking to the year 2020 and the challenges the Union will face.
18 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Take action to say that all workers should have the same rights
On the 2nd December, union official Noel Washington is facing jail. If you thought that union officials in Australia couldn't go to jail for doing their job, in a few days you might be proven wrong.
18 November 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU calls for federal help for ABC child care centres
The Federal Government and ABC Learning administrators, McGrathNicol, should give priority to local governments seeking to buy or operate ABC Learning centres, according to Australian Services Union National Secretary Paul Slape.
16 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Put Paid Maternity Leave in 2009’s Federal Budget
Right now the Government is looking to drop paid maternity leave from 2009's federal budget. Opinion polls, talk back radio and letters to editor clearly show time after time that Australians support government-funded paid maternity leave.
14 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - November 13, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Child Care - Public Vs Private; Economic Survey of Australia 2008; Industry Skills Council for the Public Safety Sector; plus more.
13 November 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from October 2008
The ASU National Office has been preparing for the Union’s biennial National Conference in earnest, to be held next week in Melbourne. To follow suit with the new Government, we have decided to make future targets the focus of our deliberations.
11 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 55
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 55) is now available on this website. It provides information in relation to the administration strategy, further dividends and an update on current litigation.
11 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Public education for our future
Australia’s public schools are among the best in the world. They deliver high quality education to millions of students every day.
10 November 2008 [ full story ]
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SACS workers do it for love and money
An historic pay equity case will start in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) tomorrow (Monday, 10 November) aimed at securing pay rises of between $15,000 and $18,000 per year for front line workers in over 2000 social and community service (SACS) organisations in Queensland.
10 November 2008 [ full story ]
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At Qantas the more things change, the more they stay the same – cast your AGM vote now
The meeting notices and proxy forms for Geoff Dixon’s swansong Qantas AGM and the first for new Chairman Leigh Clifford are hitting staff home letterboxes right now. The Qantas Annual General Meeting is on Friday 28th November 2008 at 11am EST in the Plaza Terrace Room of the Bisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Brisbane.
10 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid Maternity Leave more important than ever for families and the economy in uncertain financial climate
A government-funded paid maternity leave scheme is even more crucial to the health of Australia’s economy in the current difficult financial climate, says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
07 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Bargaining brings results in Airlines
Airline employers who have been trying to use WorkChoices for as long as they can have been dealt a blow as a majority of recent airline agreements have been secured as varied and extended agreements avoiding the harsh realities of WorkChoices.
07 November 2008 [ full story ]
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New OHS laws must make employers provide safe workplaces
Unions back new proposals to increase the maximum fines for companies and directors who cause death or injury to workers, but believe the fines need to be even higher if they are to act as an effective deterrent and are concerned that bad employers will still find it easy to escape prosecution.
06 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Have you had your say - getting ready to bargain @ NCR?
ASU officials have held a preliminary meeting with NCR to discuss the arrangements to commence bargaining. You will have received surveys both from the ASU and the EB working group.
05 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - November 3, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Say NO to violence against women; Pay deal for 125,000 Qld workers shows importance of collective bargaining say unions; Child Care Tax Rebate; New partnership to tackle NT skills shortages; Darwin City Council ASU members secure pay rise; Building Indigenous skills in the NT brick by brick; Queensland New Local Government ACT; Premier committed to better local services and facilities; plus more.
03 November 2008 [ full story ]
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Telstra workers let down by an industrial umpire that lacks dispute settling powers
Telstra’s workforce needs a strong industrial umpire with dispute settling powers to break the long-running stalemate over a new collective agreement, unions said today.
03 November 2008 [ full story ]
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October 2008 |
There’s nothing modern about downsizing women’s awards
Nationwide, a large and diverse group of associations concerned with women’s recognition and rights in the workplace have united to oppose the downsizing of women’s awards.
31 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Bargaining tips for ASU members at Virgin Blue
A number of our members at Virgin Blue have asked us to provide guidance, support and advice as the next bargaining round at Virgin Blue begins.
30 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Green Gold Rush report: almost a million green jobs for Australia by 2030
Australia could become a world leader in creating green industries generating up to a million green collar jobs by 2030 and multi-billion dollar export opportunities in green technology, according to a new report released today by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF).
30 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Don’t take away office worker penalty rates say ASU members
Today in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) the ASU has defended long held penalty rates and loadings of private sector office workers across the country.
30 October 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU endorsed candidates for Qantas Staff Credit Union election
The elections for four Directors of the Qantas Credit Union is underway and CSM Guy Maclean and Capt Colin Adams, both long time current Qantas staff, have decided to stand in an endeavour to bring more equitable balance and representation to the Credit Union current Board.
29 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - October 27, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Wage certainty secured for local council workers; ABCC has no place in local government; Japanese Unions meet with ASU National Electricity and Energy Division; Virtual children’s hub for parents and carers; ASU lodges submission with Infrastructure Australia; Steering Committee to recommend local government reform; $546 million to improve home and community care in NSW; plus more.
27 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Wage certainty secured for NSW local council workers
Local government workers across New South Wales are set to be guaranteed a $22 a week or 3.2% minimum wage increase after the State Government tabled legislation to immediately de-corporatise councils.
24 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Safe Work Week a timely reminder of human cost of workplace tragedies and need for strong OHS laws
The unacceptably high human cost of workplace death and injury highlights the need for stronger national workplace health and safety laws.
24 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Gold Coast district health administration staff strike
Angry hospital administration staff at several locations in the Gold Coast district participated in a stop work between 8am and 11am yesterday, as part of their industrial campaign for a better pay rise from the Queensland Government.
23 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Signed, sealed and delivered at Qantaslink
Successful voting has concluded on the variation and extension to the Eastern and Suntate (QantasLink) Agreements.
22 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid Maternity Leave a must in 2009 Federal Budget
A government-funded paid maternity leave scheme is more important then ever with Australian families now facing great economic uncertainty in the wake of the global financial crash, unions say.
20 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Queensland Working Women’s Service still left in the dark over ongoing funding
After months of campaigning, letter writing and meetings with departmental officers, the Queensland Working Women’s Service is still waiting for the green light to be switched on in their attempts to gain ongoing funding from the Federal Government for their important service to women in Queensland.
17 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Security for jobs and wages must be top priority in economic planning
Job security and protecting workers’ income must not be ignored in the national strategy to weather global financial havoc, unions said today.
17 October 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from September 2008
Australian unions including the ASU support and participate in activities during Anti-Poverty Week (APW) not only because we support social justice, but because we know that poverty both in Australia and around the world is closely related to workers' rights.
16 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Government correct to rein in executive pay and tighten corporate governance
Unions have welcomed moves towards increased regulation of executive remuneration in the banking sector as part of better protection for Australian households.
15 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - October 13, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Building and Construction Industry legislation – the ABCC; Justice Wilcox confirms Howard Govt watchdog discriminates against construction workers; Local Government Victoria; Water market regulations finalised; Mapping of all local government training packages; Labour photo of the year - voting begins; Productivity places skilling Australians for the future; plus more.
15 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Working families & retirees will benefit from Labor Govt economic stimulus package
Low and middle income families, first home buyers and retired workers will be the main beneficiaries of a decisive move by the Rudd Labor Government to head off the impact of an economic downturn through a package to stimulate the economy the Australian Council of Trade Unions said today.
14 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Untold damages: new booklet details impact of WorkChoices on working women
One woman lost her job after 18 years, another woman had her hours of work repeatedly threatened. A group of women were told to meet their union in a toilet block and another group were not allowed to have a say over their new job contracts. These are the real stories outlined in a new booklet produced to inform politicians about the detrimental effect that WorkChoices is having on Australian women.
14 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia - a new agreement?
Mission Australia an Employer of Choice? You be the judge…
10 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Justice Wilcox confirms ABCC discriminates against construction workers
An important new report by Murray Wilcox QC confirms that the Howard Government’s building industry watchdog, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), discriminates against construction workers and infringes on their rights.
10 October 2008 [ full story ]
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We can end poverty by telling the politicians it’s what we want!
Australian unions including the ASU support and participate in activities during Anti-Poverty Week (APW) not only because we support social justice, but because we know that poverty both in Australia and around the world is closely related to workers’ rights. APW was established in Australia as an expansion of the United Nation’s annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17. We encourage all our members and friends to do a little to end poverty by getting involved!
10 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Office employees’ working hours under threat
The ASU is seeking the assistance of members to help protect the working conditions of clerical and administrative employees in offices throughout the country. Unless action is taken, office employees may find themselves working on Saturday mornings as part of their normal pattern of working time and without additional payment.
07 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Banks must pass on interest rate cut to avoid economic downturn and help struggling families
An interest rate cut is needed to avoid an economic downturn and to help families struggling with high levels of debt, say unions.
07 October 2008 [ full story ]
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October 7 is World Day for Decent Work
Global economic turmoil has made the right to decent work and full employment more essential than ever, Australian unions say.
07 October 2008 [ full story ]
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Time to vote on Singapore Airlines agreement
The Singapore Airlines Union Collective Agreement 2008 (Incorporating Singapore Airlines Cargo) has now been made available for all staff to read and understand prior to voting.
06 October 2008 [ full story ]
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COAG decision step in the right direction: Victorian home care service to be protected
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has welcomed the decision by COAG to establish a working group that will be responsible for delivering the services for Victorian home and community care (HACC) into the future.
03 October 2008 [ full story ]
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September 2008 |
Public Services Bulletin - September 29, 2008
This edition contains the following items: ASU Energy Branches to meet; ASU – Infrastructure Australia; Brazil - President Lula approves law extending paid maternity leave to six months; Workers’ right to collective bargaining must be at centre of IR laws say unions; World Day for Decent Work, 7 October; Peter Waldorff addresses WTO Symposium on GATS Mode 4; New Zealand transport unions back Wellington Bus Drivers; NSW public sector employees have achieved a 4% per year increase; 2008 'Light on the Hill' Address; plus more.
31 September 2008 [ full story ]
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18 weeks Paid Maternity Leave a huge step forward, but employers should contribute more
The Productivity Commission’s proposal for an 18 week, government-funded paid maternity leave scheme would bring relief and financial security to tens of thousands of working mothers and their families, says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
30 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Eastern QantasLink – your agreement is ready for voting
After many months of arduous negotiations, changes to Federal legislation on how we bargain and getting your Agreement right, the ASU can now recommend the Agreement to you.
29 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Workers’ right to collective bargaining must be at centre of IR laws say unions: new TV ads
Unions will ramp up the campaign to scrap WorkChoices and ensure the rights of Australian workers to collective bargaining are at the centre of a new IR system with the broadcast of two TV advertisements from today.
28 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - September 22, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Union left in the dark on radical change to home care funding; Collective bargaining rights for workers at risk under Labor’s IR plan; ‘Forward with Fairness’ fact sheets; Council workers in Scotland strike over pay dispute; Global Unions call on IFIs to respond to food and financial crises; First meeting of Australian Council of Local Government; Mongolian health workers demand decent pay and living conditions; plus more.
25 September 2008 [ full story ]
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National Hearing Care call centre job agreement on hold after failing Workplace Authority test
The employment agreement offered to call centre and office workers at National Hearing Care in Melbourne and disputed by the ASU, has failed the Workplace Authority’s No Disadvantage Test.
25 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia - some wins, some problems
Since late August your Negotiation Team has been waiting for Mission Australia management to provide some crucial information in relation to your new Union Collective Agreement.
25 September 2008 [ full story ]
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A small glimpse on the big screen of the life of the Saharawis
The power of film to put us in the shoes of people whose lives are so different from our own has always been an effective way of raising support for worthy yet little known causes. Two films portraying the experiences of both the children and women of Western Sahara will be screening at ACMI in Melbourne next month. They give us the opportunity to understand what the dispossessed Saharawis are suffering.
23 September 2008 [ full story ]
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It’s time to vote YES at Sunstate
After many months of negotiations, your agreement is ready to be voted on.
23 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Union left in the dark on radical change to home care funding
ASU Branch Secretary Brian Parkinson has slammed the Federal Government’s plan to shift funding arrangements in home and community care services (HACC), fearing a negative outcome for employees in the sector and the elderly they care for across the state.
18 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Toll Dnata check-in job contracts don’t pass Workplace Authority test
After months of waiting staff working for Toll Dnata at Melbourne’s International Airport were notified this week that their employment contracts have failed the Workplace Authority’s No Disadvantage Test.
18 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Western Sahara Human Rights Defender wins 2008 RFK Human Rights Award
Aminatou Haidar is the 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureate. Ms Haidar is being recognised for her courageous campaign for self-determination of Western Sahara from its occupation by Morocco and against forced disappearances and abuses of prisoners of conscience. Regularly referred to as the “Sahrawi Gandhi,” Ms Haidar is one of Western Sahara’s most prominent human rights defenders.
17 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - September 15, 2008
This edition contains the following items: ASU Energy meets with the Federal Minister for Resources and Energy; Award modernisation; NSW energy privatisation collapse; Global Unions call on IFIs to respond to food and financial crises; European Parliament move on hedge funds; Passing EFCA tops Obama’s agenda; Campaign to head off postal privatisation in France; Latest news from Government Skills Australia; plus more.
17 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Message is clear to Telstra: respect employees’ right to union representation
Unions today urged Telstra management to respect the rights of its workers to be represented by unions after the company’s offer of a non-union job contract was rejected by employees.
17 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Small business employees must have access to redundancy pay in modern award system
Australians employed in small businesses must have access to redundancy pay in the Labor Government's proposed new modern award system, unions said today.
15 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Award modernisation fails office workers at first hurdle
The Rudd Government’s award modernisation process has failed workers at the first hurdle, with Victorian office and administration employees set to lose pay and conditions under the draft award released by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC).
15 September 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU launches national SACS magazine
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill Shorten launched the ASU’s national magazine for the Social and Community Services (SACS) sector in Canberra on 1 September 2008. The launch was attended by MPs and representatives of peak organisations and SACS ASU delegates, members and officials from around Australia.
12 September 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU calls for creation of a sustainable aviation fund in government submission
This week the ASU lodged its submission to the Rudd Government’s green paper on the introduction of a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, calling for the creation of a Sustainable Aviation Fund to investigate alternative fuel technologies and best industry practice.
12 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Discounted kids movie tickets and family pass giveaway
With school holidays upon us, we thought we'd remind you about our discounted movie tickets as a cheap way to entertain the kids these holidays.
12 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Air New Zealand employees vote YES for a good deal
Negotiations have concluded at Air New Zealand with a vote of employees yesterday, 10 September 2008. An overwhelming majority of employees have voted in favour of varying the current Agreement, keeping WorkChoices out and keeping the Union in!
11 September 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from August 2008
One of Australia’s biggest employers, Telstra, is showing workers everywhere why it is so important that unions are involved in negotiating workplace agreements. And they’ve done this by denying their workforce the right to be represented by their unions!
10 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Liberals confirm they still support worst aspects of WorkChoices
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop has confirmed that the Liberal Party still supports the parts of WorkChoices that were most unfair for Australian workers say unions.
09 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - September 8, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Rail Award Modernisation; Infrastructure Division Conference; ASU speaks up for need for extra workers and skills; Retired Members – can they help the Union; ASU Child Care; Queensland Electricity Distribution; plus more.
08 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Workers to sue their boss for denying them rights to genuine collective bargaining
Workers at a major Victorian truck parts making plant are suing their employer for refusing to allow them to be represented by a union in genuine collective bargaining.
08 September 2008 [ full story ]
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It’s time to talk Enterprise Bargaining again at AaE
The two ASU Enterprise Bargaining Agreements with Australian Air Express expire on 16 February 2009 and in consultation with the ASU delegates we have now produced a survey to establish what claims ASU members want to make this time around in negotiations.
05 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Australian leadership remains crucial to global climate change solution
The latest recommendation by Professor Ross Garnaut for a softer start to a carbon trading scheme needs to be carefully considered by the federal government on two critical fronts says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
05 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Admin workers let down by Queensland Health offer
The ASU, the union representing clerical and administrative support workers in Queensland hospitals has expressed disappointment with the first offer made today by Queensland Health in enterprise bargaining negotiations.
05 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Australian superphosphate not so super
As the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice starts a tour of North Africa and Incitec Pivot holds an extraordinary General Meeting in Melbourne, the Australia Western Sahara Association (AWSA), would like to draw attention to Western Sahara, the unresolved issue that affects the North African region.
05 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Books improve life outcomes for Indigenous Australians
Every effort should be made to improve poor literacy standards and overcome the educational disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said today on Indigenous Literacy Day.
03 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Banks must pass on more than RBA’s interest rate cut to help working families
The major commercial banks must pass on all of any Reserve Bank interest rate cut and then some more to ease some of the financial pressure being felt by working families, unions said today.
02 September 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU/USU members take action and stand strong as NSW Government unveils "Plan B"
USU members around the state took action and withdrew their labor on Friday afternoon in response to the NSW Government's "plan b".
01 September 2008 [ full story ]
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Total chaos for Westpac & Qantas customers as IBM blocks pay talks
Major airlines, banks, customs and other key services face meltdown this week as a result of IBM refusing to negotiate a collective agreement with employees.
01 September 2008 [ full story ]
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August 2008 |
Energy workers strike over NSW Government's decision to sell out
Energy workers across NSW have walked off the job this afternoon to protest the Government's decision to sell off retailers in the power industry.
29 August 2008 [ full story ]
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The Green Paper & Aviation
In 2010 the Government intends to introduce a ‘Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’ to get businesses and consumers to reduce their pollution. They have recently released a green paper outlining an emissions trading scheme which will include the aviation industry as well as impact our daily lives as consumers.
29 August 2008 [ full story ]
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QantasLink - Eastern and Sunstate EB marathon draws to a close!
We reported at the beginning of this month that your negotiating teams for Eastern and Sunstate have been attempting to settle new collective agreements since May 2007.
28 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - August 25, 2008
This edition contains the following items: Tasmanian Government to buy a new PowerStation from the private sector; Decision in Etheridge Shire Case; Frontiers In Infrastructure Conference; Minister Albanese announces opportunity for input into Infrastructure Australia; Energy Unions in Qld – now set to vote; plus more
28 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Petition launched to support Toll Dnata airport workers
The ASU has launched a petition to support Toll Dnata workers at Australian airports and protect the industry from a drop in standards.
27 August 2008 [ full story ]
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IR Ministers need to deliver new laws that restore workers’ collective bargaining rights
The Rudd Labor Government must move quickly to scrap the rest of Work Choices and give Australian workers a strong legal right to collective bargaining, unions said today.
22 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Roy Morgan sackings highlight weakness of current unfair dismissal protection
The sudden sackings of almost 60 young workers by market researcher Roy Morgan has turned the spotlight onto the lack of protection from unfair dismissal under the current industrial relations system.
22 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Climate change and aviation
The debate on climate change has a lot of jargon and issues that can be hard to understand. As the aviation industry is always discussed in climate change debates, the ASU’s National Airlines Division Council has made education of ASU members on this issue a priority.
21 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Media Release: Toll Dnata uses Labor’s ITEAs to cut pay and conditions of Airport workers by $5,000 a year
Toll Dnata, an airlines company owned by Emirates and Toll Holdings, is seeking to exploit Labor’s transitional IR laws to cut the pay and allowances of customer service and check-in staff at Melbourne’s international airport by at least $5,000 a year.
20 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia - staff negotiation update
Negotiations with Mission Australia have been progressing well and we believe we have now reached an in-principle agreement. A full update on negotiations will be provided shortly. In the meantime below is a brief update.
20 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Maintain the rage - National Young Workers Conference
The Young Unionists’ Network is hosting the 2008 national young workers conference in Melbourne on 12 & 13 September 2008. We invite young workers, activists, students, organisers and those interested in issues for young people to join us this
September for discussions, actions, workshops and celebrations under the theme ‘Maintain the Rage’.
19 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Who On Earth Cares? The ASU does!
Who on earth cares? Well actually, when it comes to climate change, there are a lot of us. Who On Earth Cares (WOEC) is an exciting campaign encouraging Australians to express their concerns about climate change and actively do something about the issue. Leading actor Cate Blanchett is the face of WOEC, encouraging the Australian public to put themselves ‘on the map’ and show they care while asking our leaders to also act responsibly on climate change.
19 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - August 19, 2008
This edition contains the following items: ASU calls for extra funding for local government; Standards Australia Electricity Distribution/Transmission group meets; State govts must accept inevitable downsizing; Regional Projects Grants; ACCC grants authorisation to central Queensland regional councils; plus more.
19 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - August 14, 2008
This edition contains the following items: PSI statement on outcome of WTO talks; ITF Rail Union Report; National Quality Standards Framework Consultations; Minister affirms commitment to continue work with the OECD; Future Tax System Discussion Paper; Online petition to support health and safety at work; $1million to expand White Ribbon Day activities in rural and regional Australia; Protect the future - maternity, paternity and work - gender equality at the heart of decent work; plus more.
18 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Time to deliver on new workplace laws
Signs of a slowdown in the economy underline the need for the urgent scrapping of WorkChoices and restoration of a strong safety net of rights and entitlements for Australian workers.
13 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Banks are putting profits ahead of customers under financial pressure
Australia’s banks are selfishly putting their profits ahead of their customers who are under financial pressure from high interest rates.
13 August 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from July 2008
Of all the issues on the industrial landscape, the one that strikes a deep chord everywhere is occupational health and safety – everyone wants to make it home in one piece after a shift at work.
12 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Stop the big business push in its tracks: email your MP now
This time last year, it was clear who was threatening our rights at work - the Howard Government. Now the threat to our rights at work is more subtle. In the pages of newspapers, in Parliament House meeting suites, in clubs and dining rooms and the Qantas Chairman's Lounge - big business is mounting a push back.
11 August 2008 [ full story ]
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QantasLink Eastern and Sunstate EB Campaign 2007/2008
Since May 2007 you have been waiting for real responses to your bargaining claims. During this time the federal legislation changed, allowing the negotiations to refocus on keeping the agreements you have currently in place, including all union related matters and negotiating new items.
11 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Henry Review must not be an excuse for more big tax cuts for the wealthy and big business
The chief priorities of the Rudd Government’s review of Australia’s Future Tax System must be to ensure our tax system is fair and progressive and provides sufficient revenue to fund the services and benefits Australian working families rely on.
07 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Sign up to Your OHS Rights at Work
The Federal Government and all state and territory governments have agreed to move towards a simpler approach to occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in Australia. This is to be achieved through harmonisation, i.e. through the creation of a uniform set of laws. Please sign the petition to ensure your OHS rights are protected in the new laws.
06 August 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU speaks up for office workers
The ASU has made detailed submissions to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) on the need for protection of the wages and working conditions of office employees throughout Australia as the award modernisation process heats up.
05 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Redundancies in holding pattern at Qantas
ASU reps met with Qantas Group General Managers for People from most Qantas business segments on Friday 1st August 2008 to try and get a handle on the ASU areas that are being targeted for redundancies as a result of the recent announcement.
05 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - August 4, 2008
This edition contains the following items: ASU occupational health and safety; UK - support a fair deal for public service workers; ACCC accepts undertaking for interstate rail access; Census of child care services; ASU Local Government Industry Division; Electricity networks association; Young Australians encouraged to enrol to vote; Building workers should have the same rights as the rest of the workforce; Time to Deliver - A National Paid Parental Leave Scheme; Sport and Recreation Review; plus more.
04 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Homelessness - it's not who you think
This week is National Homeless Person's Week and as the largest union covering workers in the social and community services sector, the ASU encourages everyone to become more aware of the real facts behind homelessness. There's a crisis out there with too many Australians sleeping rough every night of the year because there are not enough facilities to house them. Many are children.
04 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Telstra MOU lawful: management should abide by the umpire’s ruling and resume talks
Telstra Human Resources should abide by a ruling of the federal Department of Workplace Relations and immediately resume talks with unions about a new enterprise agreement.
04 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Time marches on at BoysTown
Your Union, the ASU has recommenced meeting with BoysTown management in an effort to have negotiations for a new agreement for all BoysTown staff put in place.
04 August 2008 [ full story ]
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Negotiations in the final stage at Air New Zealand
Negotiations have progressed to the point where a final draft of the agreement for Air New Zealand is being compiled. The table below provides the latest on each of the key issues. Your JCC Rep and ASU Organiser will be holding meetings over the next week to take you through the details.
01 August 2008 [ full story ]
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July 2008 |
Close the Gap presents national Indigenous health targets
The Close the Gap coalition this week (on July 29) presented the Federal Government and Opposition with a set of national Indigenous health equality targets to address the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The ASU is a formal supporter of the Close the Gap campaign.
31 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Fight against draconian Building Commission to intensify
Today, Victorian trade union delegates confirmed their deep anger at the continued existence of the undemocratic, anti-worker and anti-union Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) and resolved to intensify the fight to have it abolished along with the underpinning legislation and code. They also declared their support for the CFMEU’s Noel Washington who is facing six months jail for defying the ABCC, and the delegates called for mass rallies on the day of his court hearing.
30 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Progress at the Air New Zealand bargaining table
A full day’s negotiation took place on 23 July 2008. A range of claims have been progressed and the update is reported below.
30 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Big push starts for better pay for social and community service workers in Queensland
The Australian Services Union Queensland Services Branch (ASU-Services) will this evening (30 July) launch its campaign for significant improvements in pay and conditions for thousands of social and community service workers in the non-government sector at a special function in Brisbane.
30 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Employers are taking advantage of restrictions on union entry to cut rights at work
Unions have called for workers’ rights to meet with union officials to be strengthened following reports that access to workplaces has been prevented by over-zealous employers. Employers are taking advantage of restrictions on union rights to enter workplaces to make it virtually impossible for workers to discuss industrial issues with union organisers.
29 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Update on Qantas redundancies
On Friday 18th July 2008 Qantas announced their intention to cut 1,500 jobs across the Group by December 2008. Despite this announcement we have been unable to get exact details of which areas will be hit by job cuts, instead we have been told by Qantas management that the ASU will be involved in a series of meetings with the Group General Managers of Human Resources for each of the business segments to get an indication of where they believe the job cuts will come from.
28 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Victorian social and community services workforce survey
The ASU Victorian Authorities and Services Branch is embarking on the largest SACS workforce survey undertaken in Victoria. Results will be collated and released at our second annual SACS members conference, to be held on 4th and 5th of September this year. The results will be used to support our campaign claims to improve workforce issues in the sector and related submissions.
25 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions and business in joint pact on skills
Australia’s unions and the nation’s two largest employer bodies will hold an historic meeting today (Tuesday) to forge a shared approach to the skills and training needs of the national economy.
22 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Stop the Sell-Off: send a message to the politicians
As the Stop the Sell Off Campaign intensifies over the next fortnight, please send a message to your local member in New South Wales and express your concerns with the State Government's plan to privatise areas of the NSW power industry.
21 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Telstra's HR managers walk out on 32,000 workers: take urgent action now!
Sometimes a company will treat its workers with such disdain it can take your breath away. On Thursday, Telstra's Human Resources managers decided to completely cancel collective agreement talks with its workers.
21 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Union anger over Qantas 1,500 job cuts announcement
The Australian Services Union has reacted strongly to Qantas’ announcement that it plans to cut 1,500 jobs by December.
18 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Deaths of workers underline need for stronger health and safety laws
Australia’s poor record on workplace death and injury, including the death of two construction workers on the Gold Coast last month underlines the need for the highest possible national workplace health and safety standards, ACTU Assistant Secretary Geoff Fary said today.
17 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions welcome Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme as urgent and necessary
Unions strongly welcome the Rudd Government’s plan for a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. “The alarm bells have been ringing for years, and we finally now have a government prepared to listen and to act to safeguard future generations,” says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
16 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Harvey Norman using IR confusion to rip off sales staff
Retail giant Harvey Norman has been caught red-handed using an unfair AWA months after they were banned to cut the take home pay of a sales worker by up to $146 a week, a press report revealed yesterdeay. This shows a major employer is taking advantage of confusion over the IR laws and the fact that WorkChoices has not yet been fully scrapped to rip off a worker, say unions.
15 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Voters losing patience with business push for delay in restoring workers’ rights: new poll
In a clear warning that the public is losing patience with the demands of business lobby groups who want to keep major aspects of WorkChoices, a major new national poll shows Australians want to get rid of WorkChoices as soon as possible.
15 July 2008 [ full story ]
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More support needed to help carers balance their work and family commitments
Action is needed to help workers who care for elderly or disabled relatives or Australia will face a work/care collision from an ageing population, unions say. Unless measures such as more flexible working hours and improved carer's leave are introduced, workers who look after relatives who are elderly, chronically ill, disabled, or even school-aged children will face the same pressure to choose between their job and family as parents of pre-schoolers.
11 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Minimum wage pay decision begins to repair damage done by WorkChoices
Today’s pay decision for more than a million award-dependent workers has begun to address some of the damage caused by WorkChoices, but more needs to be done, according to the ACTU.
08 July 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - June 2008
The current edition includes the following items: Asian Development Bank must fund public services before private profits; Paris to re-municipalise its water; Different management models in water in the Asia Pacific Region; Korean electricity; Ghost Town NSW Water Review campaign video; Regional utilities another move at the ADB; plus much more.
08 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Let’s save ahm
The ASU United Services Branch (or USU) has launched a petition to urge Australian Health Management fund (ahm) CEO, Mick McLeod, not to go ahead with the takeover by Medibank. Hundreds of workers in Wollongong face an uncertain future while Mr McLeod decides the fate of ahm.
07 July 2008 [ full story ]
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New powerful climate alliance to drive tough and fair solutions
For the first time peak social, union, research and environmental organisations have formed an historic and powerful alliance to tackle climate change. The Southern Cross Climate Coalition, launched yesterday, is pushing for climate policy to be fairly implemented and maximise the opportunities for investment and jobs growth whilst emphasising that all sections of society have an urgent responsibility to act.
07 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Climate change will cut the wages of working Australians - urgent action needed
Working Australians will be hit hard by inaction on climate change and urgent action is needed says the ACTU and the ASU. Professor Garnaut’s report released today estimates working Australians will face job losses in key industries, including agriculture and tourism, as well as wage cuts of between 7.8% and 14.8% depending on the severity of climate change-induced drought.
04 July 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from June 2008
Plenty of comedians get mileage out of the fact that many Australian call centres are now being run from places like India and the Philippines, but the serious side of this issue is not getting the attention it deserves.
03 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid Parental Leave - what does it mean and why should we have it?
Paid parental leave is the generic term used to describe the working conditions which family members should be entitled to in order to maintain a balance between their work and family life. Paid leave also recognises that workers need to continue to provide for their families whilst raising them and in particular those most important early years.
03 July 2008 [ full story ]
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Joint statement by Mission Australia and the Australian Services Union (ASU)
We are pleased to let you know that Mission Australia and the ASU had a positive meeting earlier this week and have agreed to future arrangements aimed at getting negotiations back on track and achieving a quick finalisation of the Collective Agreement.
03 July 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU members make key contribution to aviation policy development
The ASU’s submission to the Federal Government’s aviation policy development draws on the survey responses to the ASU Aviation Issues Survey 2008 received from almost 800 frontline aviation workers across Australia.
02 July 2008 [ full story ]
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And now onto the next issue for social and community services workers
After a few tense moments last week, the Coalition agreed to support the Federal Labor Government’s amendments in the Senate to restore the use of income net of reportable fringe benefits as the measure for the level of Family Benefits payable. This move recognised the significant level of salary packaging in community services organisations.
01 July 2008 [ full story ]
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June 2008 |
ASU makes submission to Homelessness Green Paper
The ASU has made a submission in response to the Federal Government’s Homelessness Green Paper which highlights the need to address the serious workforce development challenges which are evident in the community services sector and the housing sub sector.
30 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Bargaining begins at Air New Zealand for 2008
Following the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting on the 12 June where bargaining was a JCC agenda item, a full day of bargaining was set down for the 18 June in Sydney.
30 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas EBA 8 wages and allowances set to increase
ASU Qantas EBA 8 provides for a pay rise from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2008 and also provides for a range of allowances to be adjusted for CPI (i.e. cost of living) or in line with the wage rise.
27 June 2008 [ full story ]
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PSI backs fight against power sell off
ASU National Secretary Paul Slape has welcomed the support of global union Public Services International (PSI) for the campaign against selling off power in New South Wales by the Iemma Government.
26 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Gender diversity and work related issues
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) has continued to build on the groundbreaking work undertaken on the “Same-Sex: Same Entitlements” Inquiry and the impending federal legislative changes that have resulted. Members of the public have been invited to be involved.
25 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - June 23, 2008
This edition contains the following items: United Nations Public Services Day – Monday 23 June 2008; Free Trade Agreement Update; EE-Oz Training Standards; Ministerial Council on Energy Documents; ASUshop; New employment standards are a step towards plugging the gaps left by WorkChoices; Better quality information to parents; plus more.
24 June 2008 [ full story ]
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The silence is deafening on offshoring
Last month the Services Unions of Australia (which includes the ASU) launched an economic research report titled 'Off-shore and Off-work' that identified that one in ten service sector jobs could be sent offshore over the next 20 years. The research highlights the real policy implications for workers in Australian services industries if our governments do not recognise the significant contribution of this sector and it also recommends root and branch overhaul of existing policies.
24 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Collective bargaining lifts pay and community standards say unions in new TV ads
Unions are ramping up the campaign to scrap WorkChoices and bring in new laws that protect workers’ rights with the release of two new union TV advertisements that highlight the value of collective bargaining for Australian workers.
23 June 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU welcomes Federal Government action on salary packaging
The Australian Services Union (ASU) welcomes the Federal Government announcement last night that the Government will move urgent amendments to the law next week in the Senate to restore the use of the net reportable fringe benefits definitions for Family Assistance. This will maintain the current position and so ensure that thousands of ASU members in the community and not-for-profit sector who salary package do not lose the benefit of Family tax or child care benefits after the 1 July 2008.
20 June 2008 [ full story ]
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More Government cuts for community workers?
With the community services sector and workers in not-for-profit and charitable services still reeling from the effects of changes to tax arrangements due to come into effect on July 1st, another serious challenge has emerged for the Government in relation to the proposed efficiency dividend of 2% that the Government imposed on most departments as part of the budget.
19 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Aviation Survey deadline extended
We have decided to extend the deadline for responses to the ASU’s Aviation Survey until Monday 23 June 2008. The responses will form part of our submission in response to the Federal Government’s aviation issues paper.
19 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Government to act on SACS salary sacrifice problem
At a joint press conference in Canberra yesterday Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin said they will act to fix proposed changes to the way income is calculated for the purpose of determining Family Assistance payments for social and community services (SACS) workers who have been utilising salary packaging because of the PBI status of their employer.
19 June 2008 [ full story ]
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June 20 - WA rally for social and community services workers and supporters
The ASU WA Branch is staging a vital rally for social and community services (SACS) workers tomorrow in Perth. ASU members and supporters are urged to attend the rally to show the Parliament that you deserve respect!
19 June 2008 [ full story ]
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A super start in correcting discrimination
ASU lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members (GLAM) congratulate the Rudd Labor Government for the advancements in superannuation for same sex couples which will come about as a result of the introduction of the “Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws - Superannuation) Bill 2008”.
17 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Pressure builds on Federal Government to make changes to SACS salary packaging
As a result of the ASU campaign launched on 5 June 2008, Federal Ministers Jenny Macklin, Joe Ludwig and Wayne Swan have received hundreds of emails from workers affected by the changes that are being made to the way that income is calculated by Centrelink for the purpose of determining Family Assistance payments.
17 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Update on Qantas Holidays takeover
ASU Reps met with QHols management in Sydney on Wednesday 11th June 2008 to discuss outstanding matters related to the proposed takeover of Qantas Holidays Ltd by Jetset Travelworld.
17 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Getting down and serious in bargaining at Air New Zealand
ASU Delegates, officials and management of Air New Zealand have got down to business commencing the talks for bargaining your new union collective agreement.
17 June 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from May 2008
Not all workers become parents but at some stage, we were all babies in need of 24/7 care from our parents. More and more research is showing that the availability and the quality of that care can have far reaching consequences for the nature of our society.
17 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Pay commissioner pockets 53% pay rise over two years: workers hope for same
A decision by the Remuneration Tribunal to give public office holders a 4.3% pay rise from 1 July 2008 sets the benchmark for what low paid working Australians should at least expect from the forthcoming Fair Pay Commission minimum wage case decision says the ACTU.
13 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Casuals are no solution to the chaos at Qantas Telephone Sales
This week the Manager of Telephone Sales in Hobart boldly issued a memo to staff suggesting that she will be recruiting ex staff to work as casuals during July 2008. What she failed to realize is that Qantas has an EBA and agreement about how casuals can be engaged and this clearly states that an agreement with the ASU must be reached before casuals are engaged. NO discussion on this issue let alone an agreement has been reached.
12 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - June 9, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Review of the revenue framework for local government - terms of reference (NSW); NSW Budget - $22.6M to ensure fair and productive workplaces; National Transport Commission; 15th World Congress of the International Industrial Relations Association (IIRA); Transferred employees; New website tracks councils' water saving efforts (NSW); Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA; Child Care Family Assistance Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Workplace Ombudsman updated fact sheets.
11 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Employers can afford paid maternity leave
The ACTU is calling on all businesses to help fund a national paid maternity leave scheme which would provide Australian women with at least 14 weeks paid leave.
11 June 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear and gear on sale!
The latest catalogue for the ASUshop has been released. Read about new and sale items below or downloaded the catalogue.
10 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Partial victory for Working Women’s Centres – the fight goes on for Queensland
On April 30 this year, the ASU instigated an email campaign in support of Working Women’s Centres (WWCs) in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland who were facing funding cuts from the Federal Government. Although we have managed to secure funding for SA and NT, the fight goes on for WWCs in Queensland.
10 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Staff negotiations for a union agreement at Mission Australia
Negotiations are under way with Mission Australia for a new Certified Agreement that will set your working conditions for the next three years. The first stage of negotiations
was conducted over two days of last week – May 28th and May 29th. The negotiations were slow and in the opinion of your
negotiators very little progress was made.
10 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Rex Airline Services negotiations begin
The Regional Express (Rex) Airline Services Collective Agreement negotiations have commenced. Your Regional Express Airlines Services Committee (RASC) met in Sydney on 3 June 2008 to commence negotiations on your new agreement.
06 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Urgent information on salary packaging and SACS workers
As a result of recommendations by a Howard Government Ministerial Taskforce on Child Support back in May 2005, a number of changes are being made to the way that income is calculated by Centrelink for the purpose of determining Family Assistance payments.
05 June 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - June 1, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: 23 June Public Services Day - ASU Public Services Day; Ghost Town NSW Water Review campaign; EE-Oz Training Standards Weekly E-Bulletin; Aged care loan applications close June 6; Public acceptance of recycled water on the rise; Local government projects given reprieve; ASU arguing for reform on the Northern Territory Long Service Leave Act; Dump Railcorp - Give NSW commuters the transport services they deserve.
03 June 2008 [ full story ]
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May 2008 |
14 weeks paid maternity leave for all women
All Australian women would benefit from a national paid maternity leave scheme which allows for a minimum of 14 weeks leave at full pay as proposed by the ACTU in its submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into paid parental leave.
29 May 2008 [ full story ]
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It’s time for a new ASU agreement at Rex!
The Regional Express (Rex) Airline Services Collective Agreement 2008 is due to expire on 30 June 2008. This doesn’t mean that it no longer applies, but it does mean that until a new agreement is negotiated there will no further increase in your wages or allowances.
29 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - May 26, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Infrastructure Australia; Communiqué from Australian, State, Territory and New Zealand Workplace Relations Ministers Council; ITF Railway News; State-wide power stoppage in Queensland; Unions continue campaign for workers' rights with new TV advertising campaign; WTO issues new proposals for services sector; New Era in Water Management – Tasmania; AFTINET (the Australian Free Trade and Investment Network); Zimbabwe: Union Leaders’ Trial Set for 23 June Global Action.
29 May 2008 [ full story ]
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New report counts costs of globalisation - massive offshoring to wash through Australian service sector
850,000 service sector jobs face the chop as new economic modelling projects the biggest expatriation of Australian jobs in our history, according to the most comprehensive analysis of Australian labour market trends ever undertaken.
27 May 2008 [ full story ]
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We need your views on the future of aviation in Australia
In April 2008 the Federal Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese announced the Government’s intention to develop a comprehensive National Aviation Policy Statement.
27 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Sorry Day provides a chance to turn sentiment into action
National Sorry Day (Monday, 26 May) is the perfect catalyst to turn sentiment into action for members of the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said last week.
26 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions continue campaign for workers' rights with new TV advertising campaign
The ACTU will continue its conversation with working Australians about their rights at work, through an advertising campaign launched yesterday (Sunday 25 May).
26 May 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU fact sheet for Toll Dnata
This week Toll Dnata is meeting with some employees to offer them direct employment on individual contracts. These employment contracts are called Interim Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs). In this fact sheet the ASU has prepared some basic information about ITEAs and your rights when you are offered one.
26 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Salary sacrifice for motor vehicles at Qantas now available
Following on from the meeting with Qantas on 8th April 2008 we have received a letter dated 19th May 2008 from Qantas Industrial Relations confirming that salary sacrifice of motor vehicles will be available from 1st September 2008 to ASU Qantas EBA 8 staff subject to Qantas policy and the financial ability to meet repayments.
23 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions walk out of Energex negotiations
Union negotiators yesterday walked out of wages talks with Energex, in frustration at ongoing State Government interference in the negotiations.
23 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Linda White appointed to Australian Social Inclusion Board
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the members of the inaugural Australian Social Inclusion Board at the Board’s first meeting in Melbourne yesterday (21 May 2008).
22 May 2008 [ full story ]
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State-wide power stoppage in Queensland today
After the overwhelming success of the statewide 24 hour stop work protest in Queensland's power industry on May 14th, the ASU has lodged another notice with Energex, Ergon and Powerlink to inform them that the next 24-hour stop work protest will be held on Wednesday 21st May. And the combined power unions intend to continue industrial action until the power corporations and the State Government start taking the current round of EBA negotiations seriously.
21 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - May 19, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Power Industry Day of Action; ASU National Electricity and Energy Division to meet; Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program; ITF railway report; Australian Industrial Relations Commission Amendment Rules 2008; Donate online, over the phone or by post NOW – Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA; EE-Oz Training Standards; Strong link between offshoring of jobs and trade; Victorian State-Local Government Agreement signals new era; plus more.
20 May 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU intervenes as National Hearing Care fails to listen to workers
The ASU has stepped in to assist call centre and administration workers at National Hearing Care as the company attempts to move staff off AWAs and onto a collective agreement that does not guarantee annual pay increases and takes away Award conditions.
19 May 2008 [ full story ]
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International Day Against Homophobia has special significance in Australia in 2008
This year, the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHo), 17 May 2008, has special significance for everyone in Australia. “This is a historic year for Australia, with the federal government committing to implement the recommendations of HREOC’s Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report to change the 58 financial and work-related federal laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples and their children, as well as to change around 40 additional discriminatory laws,” said Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes.
16 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas executives are putting profits ahead of the living standards of workers say unions
Unions believe it is unethical and unfair for Qantas executives to be denying aircraft maintenance engineers a pay rise that meets their cost of living expenses while at the same time the company is forecast to make a record $1.5 billion profit.
15 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Paid maternity leave is long overdue
Australia and the United States are the only two OECD countries that do not offer paid maternity leave. Without a statutory paid maternity leave scheme, two thirds of women workers, with little bargaining power, receive no financial support to take leave to have a baby. You can help ensure that this situation changes by making a submission to the current Productivity Commission review.
14 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Budget is a good step towards undoing the damage of WorkChoices
The 2008 Federal Budget is a good step towards undoing the damage of WorkChoices and relieving the pressure on working Australians and their families.
14 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - Budget Edition - May 13, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: QR welcomes Budget infrastructure investment; Long term, co-ordinated and focused effort for children welcomed; Brave new world for urban public transport; Budget is good step towards undoing the damage of WorkChoices; Fresh ideas for work and family; Local communities share $1.86 billion in grants; $20 million gets infrastructure reform rolling; Early childhood initiatives to benefit individuals, the community and the economy; $1 billion plan to help secure cities' water supplies; plus more.
14 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Burma Cyclone Relief Appeal
‘This is a humanitarian disaster on an unimaginable scale and we are asking all Australians to donate through Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA to the disaster relief work already underway by Norwegian People’s Aid and grassroots organisations on the ground,’ said Sharan Burrow of the ACTU.
13 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Don’t tear apart Queensland’s rail community
Rail workers are angry about Transport Minister Mickel’s decision to tear Queensland Rail (QR) into six separate private companies. This comes a year after the similar carve-up of electricity which has hit the public in the hip pocket.
13 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - May 9, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ASU Railway & Public Transport Division meeting with ARA; Railway Industry Skills; ASU Railway and Public Transport Branches; ASU Railway & Public Transport Division; ASU Local Government Division meets with state local government associations across the country; ASU Local Government Industry Division Branches meet; $1.8 MILLION to help prepare for climate change; Want to know more about international trade and the WTO; Government’s repurchase of rail and ferry operations great news for rail workers and NZ; Dubbo City Council to cut airport landing fees.
12 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Senators’ threat to block Labor’s IR laws will resurrect WorkChoices
The threat by two Senators to join with the Coalition and block the next stage of Rudd Government’s industrial relations laws are an affront to the majority of Australians who voted to scrap WorkChoices at the last election says the ACTU.
12 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Qld power industry day of action coming this Wednesday 14th May
Members employed by Ergon, Energex and Powerlink will be holding a 24-hour strike from 6:00am this coming Wednesday 14th May 2008 to 6:00am the next morning. The purpose of the strike is to alert the power companies and the State Government (their owner) that their current offer of a 4.3% wage increase is unacceptable (the State's own CPI is 4.8%!) and that attempts to reduce safety are equally unacceptable. Rallies will be held at a number of key locations around Queensland during the strike, and you can obtain a brochure outlining when and where these rallies will be held by clicking here.
12 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Education and training targeted by ACTU as 2008 Federal Budget priority
ACTU President Sharan Burrow today will call for greater investment in vocational education and training, the restoration of workers’ rights lost under Work Choices and for the Federal Government to begin undoing the social and economic damage caused by the former Liberal Government in next week’s Budget.
08 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Building SACS campaign momentum
An opinion piece by ASU Branch Secretary Sally McManus published on the ABC News website has instigated a lively blog debate. Sally's piece covers the crisis facing workers in the social and community services sector, a issue the ASU has been actively campaigning about since the publication of extensive research last year. We encourage you to participate in the blog to ensure your views are heard.
08 May 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - April 2008
The current edition includes the following items: PSI – Utilities Workshop – outcomes reported to APREC; PSI APREC UTILITIES meets with APEC; PSI & ADB; 28th April - World Day for Safety & Health; Labour clauses in public contracts – ILO Convention 94; PLN signs five long-term IDR portion credit facilities; 'Crossroads of Privatization' by Robert Bestani; FIJI water reforms; Partnership or Powerplay? Oxfam paper calls for rethink on EU trade deals; Australia’s natural gas - issues and trends; plus more.
08 May 2008 [ full story ]
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How Australia can help create an independent Western Sahara
Western Sahara is often compared to East Timor in that they are both former colonies which, upon the exit of their colonial overlords in the 1970s, were annexed by neighbouring powers against the democratic will of the people. Western Sahara may be further away than East Timor but there are many connections to Australia that make the Western Sahara independence cause one of great relevance to us. And a cause Australia has much to contribute to politically.
08 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Canon: know your rights @ work
ASU Delegates are working on a number of issues raised by members across the country and they want to make sure you know your rights @ work.
08 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Treasury report confirms Howard Govt knew WorkChoices cut workers’ pay & conditions
The release of a Treasury report to a newspaper today confirms the former Howard Government knew WorkChoices was stripping Australian workers of their rights and conditions, the Australian Council of Trade Unions said today.
07 May 2008 [ full story ]
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Give 30 seconds of your time to help mums around the world
Last week 2500 people signed the Maternal and Child Health Pledge. Help us reach 10,000 by Mother's Day this coming Sunday. Mothers in developing countries around the world are suffering due to lack of health facilities and trained health professionals. This is your chance to do something for mum's everywhere!
07 May 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from April 2008
The ASU National Office will be embarking on a redevelopment of the national website, ASU National Net, over the next many months. We need your help with ideas about how to make the new website better, stronger and faster than the current one!
06 May 2008 [ full story ]
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United we bargain at Virgin Blue
As you are aware, the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement has come up for re-negotiation at Virgin Blue. The ASU has written to the TWU to seek their support in forming a "single bargaining unit" for this round of negotiations. This would mean that we work together to ensure both members of the TWU and ASU are represented at the table.
06 May 2008 [ full story ]
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April 2008 |
Working Women’s Centres nationwide may close
National Working Women’s Centres (NWWCs) in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia are facing closure as a result of verbal advice by Julia Gillard’s office that the Federal Government will not renew their funding. The ASU is urging you to support the Centres and the workers they assist by sending an email asking for funding to be maintained.
30 April 2008 [ full story ]
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May Day 2008
The first day of May is an international day for celebrating workers and their struggles over the years to achieve fairness in our societies. In some states of Australia, Labour Day holidays closely coincide with May Day so look out for events under both banners, some of which are listed below. And in this year of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, remember that workers’ rights are human rights.
30 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Employer push to downgrade health and safety rights could put workers at risk
The push by big businesses to overhaul the federal workers’ compensation scheme could put the health and safety rights of workers at risk says the ACTU.
30 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Federal Government delivers pre-election promise to same-sex couples and their families
The ALP made a commitment over five years ago to audit all parts of federal legislation to determine where discrimination occurred. In 2007, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s (HREOC) “Same-Sex: Same Entitlements” report was released. Through both of these actions an end will come to the many complex layers of discrimination found in Australian federal law.
30 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Ergon Energy staff to stop work tomorrow - pay offer not good enough
Australian Services Union Queensland Services Branch (ASU-Services) members at Queensland’s regional electricity distributor, Ergon Energy, will stop work for twenty-four hours tomorrow morning (Wednesday 30, April 2008) in the Rockhampton and Townsville Control Rooms as part of their campaign to secure a better pay and conditions agreement with Ergon.
29 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Update on post EBA 8 meetings
Qantas EBA 8 provided for a number of additional issues to be considered after the approval of the EBA. ASU reps held meetings on a range of these issues including staff travel, superannuation and salary sacrifice options in Sydney on 8th April 2008. The following is a summary of what was discussed.
29 April 2008 [ full story ]
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New figures show 14 weeks paid maternity leave more critical than ever
Australian women are going backwards in terms of paid maternity leave, putting the health of new mothers and babies at risk and undermining the capacity of many families to keep up mortgage repayments, says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
29 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Update from Qantas Holidays meeting
ASU representatives met with Qantas Holidays management on 23rd April 2008 to discuss issues arising from the proposed sale of Qantas Holidays to Jetset Travelworld and then the subsequent purchase of 58% of Jetset Travelworld by Qantas Airways Ltd.
28 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions call for urgent asbestos probe on International Workers' Memorial Day
Unions will use today’s International Workers' Memorial Day to call on the Federal Government to launch a national Asbestos Inquiry.
28 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Menzies EBA vote = Yes!
After a long period of negotiations we finally have a new Agreement! The ballot last week was highly successful with a large voter turn out across Melbourne and Sydney, with 98% of voters voting in favour of the agreement.
28 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission workers vote for a union agreement
Mission Australia workers from across the country have overwhelmingly voted (401 to 67!) in support of having a union based collective agreement. Well Done!
28 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Join the Mothers' Day Classic and run/walk/hop/skip/jump with the Your Rights at Work Team
On May 11 2008, for the second time, the Mothers Day Classic fun run or walk will feature dedicated Your Rights At Work teams in every regional and capital city event around the country. Join the Your Rights at Work team and support two important community campaigns!
24 April 2008 [ full story ]
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On April 28 mourn for the dead and fight for the living
Every year, workers around the world gather to commemorate those who were killed or injured at work, or who became sick from exposure to workplace hazardous substances. Workers' Memorial Day is the day when we 'mourn for the dead and fight for the living', drawing attention to the plight of over 2 million people worldwide who die each year as a result of their work.
24 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU members say Ergon offer not good enough
Tuesday 22nd April saw the ASU take industrial action at Ergon Energy with a 4 hour stop work meeting from 8am—12noon, of all ASU members across all Ergon Energy Depot and Office locations.
24 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - April 21, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Child care and local government; Productivity Commission report into local government revenue raising; 28th April - World Day for Safety & Health; Labour clauses in public contracts – ILO Convention 94; EE-Oz Training Standards Weekly E-Bulletin; May Day 2008; ASU Water Industry – Tasmanian Branch; ITF Rail Union report titled " Privatisation of KTM (Malaysian Railway)”; Report reveals NSW Government starving communities of funds; Visit to occupied territories in Western Sahara by international trade union delegation; Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA study tour to East Timor.
23 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Walking the dog better paid than caring for the homeless
People paid to walk dogs earn more than those who care for homeless people, a new wage analysis by the Australian Services Union (ASU) has found, highlighting a crisis in the community services sector and state of neglect pay rates are in.
23 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU seen and heard at 2020 Summit
As previously reported, ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White and SA/NT Branch Assistant Secretary Katrine Hildyard were invited to attend the Australia 2020 Summit last weekend. As delegates to the “Strengthening Communities, Supporting Families and Social Inclusion” stream, both Linda and Katrine were keen to have the concerns of our community sector heard.
22 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU welcomes Workplace Advocate’s report highlighting unfair Qantas valet AWAs
The ASU today welcomed the Workplace Rights Advocate’s report into the AWAs offered to customer service staff during the Qantas Valet Parking dispute.
21 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Tell our governments we want to Close the Gap
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a life expectancy 17 years less than other Australians. Yet this is a situation that can be changed. The “Close the Gap” campaign calls on federal, state and territory governments to commit to closing the life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within a generation. April 22 is National Close the Gap Day - join us in showing your support.
18 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear - orders for bomber and pea jackets close April 22
It’s getting close to that time of the year again where we need to bring out the extra layers of clothes to help shield us from the slight to steep drop in temperatures outside. For those of you who prefer to buy something new and seasonal, we have a new range of ASU jackets and raincoats to do just the thing.
18 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Child care and local government
The Australian Services Union (ASU), Australia’s largest local government child care union, has welcomed the call by the Prime Minister for increased recognition and greater provision of child care education services as well as the Prime Minister’s statement that this should involve universal access for all Australian families, including one stop shops for parents.
17 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Facing up to Australia's skills challenge: industry sets key priorities to address the skills crisis
The National Skills Policy Collaboration has today released a ten-point plan to meet Australia's skills challenges head on.
17 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Ergon members to go on strike
Following the breakdown of EBA negotiations, members working for Ergon Energy have voted to take protected industrial action in the form of bans and work stoppages to show their displeasure at the company's refusal to negotiate in good faith.
17 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU recommends YES vote for Menzies
After consultation with ASU members in Sydney and Melbourne over the last two weeks the ASU recommends that staff covered by the ASU Customer Service Employees (Menzies Aviation) Enterprise Agreement 2007 vote YES to approve the EBA when voting commences tomorrow on Thursday 17th April 2008.
16 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from March 2008
In March, unions announced they would pursue a $26 a week increase for the federal minimum wage. Workers set to benefit from this modest increase are amongst the lowest paid in our society. We at the ASU take this annual assignment very seriously.
16 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - April 14, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Planning for water infrastructure in Victoria; EE-Oz Training Standards; AIRC award modernisation request; Northern Territory ASU members elected as Aldermen; Superannuation (Pacific National) Order 2008; Iemma Government to establish Clean Coal Council; Australian Local Government Training (ALGT) - Report on women in local government; AER to review rate of return for energy network businesses; Speech to CEDA/KPMG water for the future forum; plus more.
15 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Ansett Employee Update Number 54 and Eighth Report to Creditors
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 54) is now available on this website. It provides information about the payment of the tenth dividend and an update on current litigation. The Eighth Report to Creditors is also now available.
15 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Linda White addresses the 2008 ACOSS Conference
ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White addressed the 2008 ACOSS National Conference on 9 April 2008 in Melbourne about the ASU’s view on the policies and practices that will need to be adopted if Australia is to become a more socially inclusive society.
15 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Climate change: workers want a say in creating greener workplaces
Working Australians want to do their bit to tackle the problem of climate change and unions believe it is important they are given a say in their workplace, including to create greener workplaces.
15 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Captain Community comes to Darwin and launches union/NTCOSS campaign for social inclusion through a strong community sector into the future
Urgent issues threaten the non government community sector’s capacity to deliver quality services to the most disadvantaged Territorians into the future.
14 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUshop new gear - launch of movie tickets
The ASU is proud to announce a special offer for its members and families in conjunction with various cinemas Australia wide. Various cinemas including Hoyts, Village, Greater Union, IMAX, Dendy and many more are proud to offer union members and their families’ savings of up to 30% off the regular price of movie tickets. Ticket prices include postage.
11 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Job & wages data show ‘coast is clear’ for $26 a week pay rise for low paid workers
The latest ABS jobs data and Government wages figures show that despite a tight job market there is no wages pressure on inflation and that the coast is clear for a $26 a week pay rise for low paid Australian workers say unions.
11 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU members elected to Northern Territory municipal councils
The recent local government council elections held throughout the Northern Territory (NT) on Saturday March 29, 2008, resulted in two NT ASU members being elected to the Palmerston City Council and the Alice Springs Town Council.
11 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - March 2008
The current edition includes the following items: Women call for access to safe water; United Nations officially launched the International Year of Sanitation; Privatisation in Turkey; Philippine cities show the way to dynamic development; Thailand - establishment of a civil servant union; Harassment and violence at work; ILO 28 April World Day for Safety & Health; EU program to help Pacific power utilities focus on upgrading skills for energy efficiency; Water reform in Australia; plus more.
11 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Canon: Balanced Score Card
As previously reported, Canon management have responded to your demands on the Balanced Score Card.
11 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Respect the Workers, Sustain the Services - Victorian SACS campaign launch
The ‘Respect the Workers Sustain the Services’ Victorian campaign is about non-government social and community services workers ensuring they are valued, have secure jobs and decent wages so they can support the most vulnerable Victorians. Adequately staffed and resourced services are central to addressing such disadvantage.
10 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU has 2020 vision
One of the new Rudd Government’s first initiatives has been to organise the 2020 Summit to be held in Canberra from 19-20 April. It aims to bring together 1,000 delegates from all over Australia to discuss how best to deliver Australia’s future. Two ASU officials have been selected to attend. Assistant National Secretary Linda White and SA/NT Branch Assistant Secretary Katrine Hildyard will be participating in the “Strengthening Communities, Families and Social Inclusion” stream of the Summit.
10 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Together we can make a difference - launch of NT SACS campaign
The ASU-SA/NT Branch is launching your campaign in the non-government community services sector in the Northern Territory on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
10 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions, business and HREOC: paid maternity leave vital for Australia’s economy and working families
HREOC Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, ACTU President Sharan Burrow and Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout have joined forces to call for a national, taxpayer-funded paid maternity leave scheme for all Australian women.
08 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - April 7, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: New skills and new positions – extra employment in ASU public services areas; National Local Government Employer and ASU Meeting; Water industry skills investment; ILO General Survey on Convention 94, on the rights of workers affected by contracting out; Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council - Communiqué; plus more.
08 April 2008 [ full story ]
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$47million of Ansett super remains unclaimed
Almost seven years since the collapse of Ansett it appears that almost $47million worth of superannuation remains unclaimed by around 1,959 former Ansett employees whose super was transferred to AUSfund after Ansett Airlines collapsed in September 2001.
04 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Australian workers need stronger health and safety protections: review welcome
With an estimated 6,700 Australian workplace deaths each year and some indications that the number has been rising, the review is an important first step in improving workplace health and safety standards and is sorely needed say unions.
04 April 2008 [ full story ]
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How much longer are you prepared to wait?
We informed you in November ‘07 that we had been waiting for some time for a response from QantasLink about EBA negotiations… We told you in February ‘08 that we thought there was progress and now in March ‘08 guess what…? We are still waiting.
04 April 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU action nets results in Community Health Centres
The action of many ASU members who took the time to email, fax and post letters to Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews about the tax situation for workers in Victorian Community Health Centres has netted results. Workers in Victorian Community Health Centres can now continue to salary package at their previous amounts until 30 June 2008. A review of the tax decision is being carried out during this time.
03 April 2008 [ full story ]
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National Youth Week 2008 - Shout.Share.Live.Unite.
National Youth Week (NYW) is Australia's largest celebration of young people. NYW 2008 will take place from 5-13 April 2008 and there are plenty of ways for you to get involved.
03 April 2008 [ full story ]
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Combating HIV/AIDS through awareness
HIV/AIDS is of particular concern to transport workers. Mobility and long absences from home make transport workers vulnerable. The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), of which the ASU is an affiliate, is helping to combat HIV and AIDS by raising awareness among road transport industry workers.
02 April 2008 [ full story ]
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March 2008 |
ASU honours Union legend Harry Krantz
The South Australian / Northern Territory Branch of the ASU opened a library in honour of former Branch Secretary Harry Krantz on Sunday 30 March 2008.
31 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Union strategies for creating future prosperity
Unions are workers coming together to defend and advance their rights today, but they are also looking towards the future. And with the specialist knowledge of how workplaces function, unions have a lot to say about how to shape the workplaces of tomorrow, with fairness and prosperity entered into the equation. ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence spoke at today's "2008 Economic and Social Outlook Conference" held at Melbourne University, with ideas about boosting labour supply, a very current issue in the midst of widely publicised skills shortages in Australia.
28 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Our food bowls flourish while Saharawis remain dispossessed
The exploitation of the rich phosphate reserves in Western Sahara by the illegally occupying Moroccans is just another example of the systematic impoverishment of the long suffering Saharawis. As a major beneficiary of the phosphate trade, it is incumbent on Australia to push harder for a just solution in Western Sahara.
28 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Seeking messages of solidarity a crime?
Iranian trade unionist Mahmoud Salehi was due to be freed from prison on 23 March. But the authorities now accuse him of "communicating with those outside prison for the purposes of issuing messages of solidarity". As a result, he has not yet been released and has gone on hunger strike. Amnesty International and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are waging a global campaign to demand his freedom. The ASU is an active supporter of the oppressed Iranian trade unionists.
28 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions welcome start of ban on new AWAs & vow to continue campaign to scrap WorkChoices
Unions welcome the ban on new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) that takes effect today (12 midnight Friday 28 March) but plan to continue the campaign to scrap WorkChoices in its entirety.
28 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Time for paid maternity leave to become standard in all workplaces say unions
The move by major retailer Myer to introduce six weeks parental leave for its 10,000 full-time staff is a welcome first step towards a national paid maternity leave system say unions. Australia lags behind the world in terms of paid maternity leave and moves like this from Myer will send the right message to government and other businesses that paid maternity leave should be standard practice.
27 March 2008 [ full story ]
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A call to action for Victorian Community Health Centres
Further to our previous ASU bulletin regarding our concern that some employers would be removing the ability for staff to salary package from 1 April 2008, due to advice from the ATO, this has in fact happened. A number of members have been in touch with the ASU, letting us know that they have received advice that they will be losing the ability to salary package as currently the case, from 1 April 2008.
27 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Ombudsman’s report confirms no transmission of business
Commenting on the release of the Workplace Ombudsman’s report into the Qantas Valet Parking dispute, ASU Victorian Branch Secretary Ingrid Stitt said it was because there was no transmission of business that the workers were left exposed under WorkChoices laws.
27 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - March 25, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC); My life, my work, my safe work - Managing risk in the work environment; Rudd Government invests in water industry skills; More time for submissions to country water utilities inquiry (NSW); ASU affiliate organisation AFTINET; PSI bulletin; ASU National Executive meets; Fabian Society debate - Union Control of the ALP?; Electricity reforms working in WA; Community urged to nominate a child care professional (ACT); Workcover NSW bulletin.
27 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Pay grab by Liberal MPs responsible for WorkChoices smacks of double standards
Reports today that senior Liberals, including those responsible for introducing WorkChoices, are ‘mounting a behind-the-scenes push to get extra pay for being a shadow Minister’ are a sign of double standards says the ACTU.
26 March 2008 [ full story ]
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World Water Day 2008 - Sanitation is the key to health
This year’s 22 March World Water Day is renamed the World Sanitation Day in recognition of the International Year of Sanitation 2008. Modern sanitation (removal and treatment of sewage) is arguably the most important ever advance in public health - an important component in reducing waterborne diseases, essential for safe, reliable water supply. Water is of fundamental importance to everyone on this planet, yet sanitation is the lost cousin of the water sector.
22 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Senate IR inquiry recognises Qantas Valet Parking dispute as unethical and major example of AWA abuse
The recent Qantas Valet Parking dispute led by the Australian Services Union was highlighted in this week's Senate report into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008.
20 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Ban on new AWAs will start to restore protection for working Australians say unions
A ban on new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) will begin to restore the rights of Australian workers taken away by the former Liberal Government’s WorkChoices IR laws say unions.
20 March 2008 [ full story ]
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What Mission workers want – time to decide
Over recent months over 100 Mission staff have decided to join the Union. By forming a Union, standing together and making your views heard you have already begun to influence the process to get you a fair deal for the work you do – this is a fantastic achievement so far, well done!
20 March 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU continues to pursue solution for community health workers’ pay
As reported earlier this month, a ruling of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regarding the status of community health centres in Victoria has the power to make a catastrophic impact on the income of workers in the sector. The ASU has been pursuing both state and federal ministers, along with other strategies, to ensure that members’ wages are secured.
19 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Rudd Government using carrots rather than sticks
Part of the March ASU National Executive meeting was held at Parliament House in Canberra to allow various federal politicians to address our delegates. The impression given by these guest speakers was that the new Rudd Government is of an entirely different complexion to its predecessor.
17 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions reject employer bid for pay cuts - low paid workers must get decent pay rise
As submissions closed last Friday for the Fair Pay Commission’s 2008 minimum wage deliberations, the ACTU repeated its call for a $26 a week pay rise for the low paid, rejecting bids by employer groups for real pay cuts for minimum wage workers.
17 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Federal Government leaves indigenous community services workers fighting for basic entitlements
Workers at Karu Aboriginal Child Care Agency in Darwin in the Northern Territory are arguing for their final fortnight's pay and long service and redundancy entitlements.
14 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Give low paid workers $26 a week pay rise
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence will announce for the first time today (Wednesday) that unions will seek a $26 a week pay rise for 1.6 million Australian workers that rely on minimum award wages in this year’s national Minimum Wage Case.
12 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Building a fairer Australia: the role of unions and workers’ rights
On 12 March 2007 Jeff Lawrence, ACTU Secretary made the following speech to the National Press Club.
12 March 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU members at Canon stick together and the results speak for themselves
ASU delegates and officials met with Canon management on Monday 10 March 2008, following our raising of a dispute with them regarding the Balanced Score Card (BSc).
11 March 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU National Executive meets in Canberra
The first 2008 meeting of the ASU National Executive begins today in Canberra. The venue was chosen to take advantage of the Parliamentary sitting week which provides ASU officials with the opportunity to meet with various Rudd Government representatives. In addition to the normal business of the Executive, the Union will be ensuring that new Federal Ministers are well versed in the concerns of ASU members as they relate to the Ministers’ portfolios.
11 March 2008 [ full story ]
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What do Mission workers want?
The ASU has surveyed workers to determine what they want in a new Collective Agreement. Over 100 surveys have been returned from across NSW.
10 March 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from February 2008
On February 13 a momentous event occurred in our Federal Parliament – the past policies of our national governments which led to unjust suffering by our indigenous people were recognised and, importantly, our Parliament said, “Sorry”.
07 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Tax Office ruling rocks Victorian community health centres
The Victorian Hospitals' Industrial Association (VHIA) and the Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) have received advice from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) regarding the status of community health centres in Victoria. This advice confirms a past ruling that the government control of community health centres means they can be characterised as government organisations, and so they are unable to be charitable or benevolent institutions. This means salary packaging utilizing the tax status of a Victorian community health centre will no longer be available to employees from 31 March 2008.
07 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Equal pay, stronger rights for women would boost Australian economy
Equal pay and stronger rights for women will be the focus of discussions at today’s International Women’s Day – Working Women’s Summit held by the ACTU. The ASU is well represented at the Summit with Assistant National Secretary Linda White, National Women's Officer Jo Justo and a contingent of Branch people.
07 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Retrospective laws needed to protect Qantas Valet Parking staff: ASU tells Senate Inquiry
The Australian Services Union today highlighted the recent Qantas Valet Parking AWA dispute during its submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008.
07 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Business as usual – but only for some
This was the clear message to staff when ASU Qantas Holidays representatives from Brisbane and Sydney met with Qantas Holidays / Jetset Travelworld CEO designate Peter Collins and other management in Sydney on 3rd March 2008.
06 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Two footy codes, two footy comps & $2000 up for grabs!
In 2008, ACTU Member Connect and Members Equity Bank are pleased to present union members with TWO footy tipping competitions for both NRL and AFL supporters!
05 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Members identify big problems with Mission agreement
Details are beginning to emerge about Mission Australia HR’s proposed axing of pay and conditions and workers are expressing a whole series of major concerns with the plans and actions of their employer. Mission workers are joining their Union in record numbers. Mission Union members know that to have a strong voice in negotiations they need the numbers. Workers from across Australia are coming together to protect and improve their pay and conditions.
05 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Young and vulnerable worker becomes MP
The new federal Member for Kingston in South Australia, Amanda Rishworth, has acknowledged her past as a “young and vulnerable worker” in her first speech in the Australian Parliament.
05 March 2008 [ full story ]
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International Women's Day 2008
What does International Women’s Day mean for women across Australia? It is always a time to refocus our thoughts on where we are and where we need to go. And by “we” is meant everyone, male and female, because inequality harms everyone in one way or another.
05 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Women earn 16% less than men - International Pay Equity Report
Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, a global study of sixty-three nations has revealed women across all industries and age groups are being paid on average 16% less than men.
04 March 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU to participate in Global Day of Action in solidarity with Iranian and Colombian unionists on 6 March
As part of the ASU commitment to ITF International Railway Safety Day, we will be joining with International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and ACTU affiliates in supporting two critical issues this week. Trade unions internationally are calling for a global day of action on March 6 to highlight the situation of detained union leaders in Iran, to demand their release and to highlight human rights abuses against the people of Colombia. Australian unionists, including ASU members, will be participating in a series of events around the country.
04 March 2008 [ full story ]
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Too soon to inflict another interest rate rise on working families
It is too soon for working families to be slugged with another interest rate rise and the Reserve Bank should wait and see before inflicting another increase on home buyers this week says the ACTU and unions.
03 March 2008 [ full story ]
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February 2008 |
Ansett Employee Update Number 53
The latest Employee Update from the Ansett Administrators (Update 53) is now available on this website. It provides a litigation summary and advice that the Eighth Report to Creditors will be released in March.
29 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Staff work last shifts as new AWA contractor takes over Qantas Valet Parking
About two thirds of staff at Qantas Valet Parking at Tullamarine Airport are expected to work their last shifts today as a new AWA contractor takes over.
29 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Together we can make a difference
Attention community services workers, employers, representatives of peak bodies and other stakeholders in the Northern Territory. Would you like to be part of addressing urgent workforce attraction and retention issues in the non government community sector so that high quality services can continue to be provided to Northern Territorians?
29 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - February 25, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ASU & ACTU; International Federation of Journalists & ASU; Industry Skills Councils; Rally to “Stop the Sell Off”; ALP members rally against power plan; Local government workers join tribute to Hilton bomb victims; Funding changes threaten local government jobs; Electricity Council - a voice for the community; Comparative Performance Monitoring Report; Transition Bill in line with expectations; plus more.
29 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Workers win $10 while pay commissioner pockets $38,000
News that pay commissioner Professor Ian Harper pocketed a $38,000 pay rise last year while award wage workers got a measly $10 a week is proof that the former Howard Government’s Work Choices IR laws favoured big business and executives at the expense of ordinary workers say unions.
28 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Canon Techs say enough is enough
The Canon National Consultative Committee (NCC) met Wednesday 27 February 2008 via teleconference. Your NCC Reps have informed Canon, on your behalf, that they do not accept the Balanced Score Card being forced upon any of you.
28 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Who on earth cares?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing Australians today. It’s up to all of us – individuals, businesses, organisations and government – to act quickly to ensure we protect this wonderful country for our kids and their kids, too. The ASU is an active backer of green programs and now we have become a formal supporter of the “Who On Earth Cares” initiative.
27 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas should stand up for the wages and conditions of valet parking workers say unions
Qantas should immediately step in and save 170 valet parking workers from major cuts to their wages and conditions say unions. The workers have been given a deadline of the end of this week to either accept a pay cut or lose their jobs.
26 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas Valet Parking contractor re-issues AWA offer not once, not twice, but three times in nine days
An AWA offer has been re-issued not once, not twice, but three times in just nine days by the new contractor due to take over Qantas’ Valet Parking service this Saturday.
25 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Fair Pay Commission gets it wrong — wages for most low paid workers fall in real terms
Wages for around 1.5 million low paid workers reliant on awards fell below the rate of inflation last year says the ACTU.
25 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Banks must exhaust all options before closing the door on working families
Unions are calling on banks and home lenders to change the way they deal with families struggling to pay their mortgages, after reports of homeowners returning from work to find their locks had been changed.
22 February 2008 [ full story ]
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QantasLink (Eastern) EBA 2007/8 campaign
It has been a long wait since your ASU delegates met with management in November 2007! The wait has been worth it… Almost. The meeting at Sydney APC on Monday 18th February 2008 has made significant progress.
22 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Women still losing out, here and abroad
One day a year women’s issues take centre stage – March 8, International Women’s Day. It seems the rest of the year women are less visible. When the new member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, made her “maiden” speech (how is a speech maiden-like?) in the Federal parliament, she drew attention to the continuing inequities women face in the workforce and the impact that has on their quality of life.
21 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Support Qantas Valet Parking workers
About 170 workers across major airports in Australia currently need your support. In the dying days of AWAs in Australia, the new firm contracted to provide Qantas' Valet Parking wants to put all staff on a five year AWA.
21 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - February 18, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: No AWAs in Federal Public Services areas; Bondi Rescue (TV show) are local government employees; QLD local government workers to get employment security; Comcare; PSI Campaign 2008: Water, Women, Workers - sources of life 8-22 March 2008; New employment standards to create strong, modern safety net; plus more.
20 February 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU report shows SACS industry crisis looming
A survey by the ASU of over 2100 workers has revealed that there is a crisis in attracting and retaining staff in the social and community services industry. Unless this crisis is addressed, the new focus on the goal of greater social inclusion by Australian governments will not be achieved.
18 February 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU refers Qantas Valet Parking AWA offer to Workplace Rights Advocate
The Australian Services Union has today asked the Victorian Workplace Rights Advocate to investigate an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) being offered to Qantas Valet Parking staff at Tullamarine Airport.
18 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Countdown to change in Iran
In another three weeks, on 6 March, trade unions around the world are holding an international day of action in solidarity with the workers of Iran.
15 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Company flouts AWA reforms – union starts legal action and calls for retrospective legislation
The Australian Services Union (ASU) today criticised a taxpayer funded community sector call centre for underhanded tactics which flout the will of the Australian people. The ACE call centre, which is situated in the Prime Minister's own electorate, is continuing to offer AWAs to its staff despite the Rudd government's current efforts to abolish the use of AWAs. The company seems to be in denial that without federal government funding, the ACE call centre wouldn't exist.
15 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Qantas Valet Parking staff face cuts in wages and conditions as unfair AWAs still allowed to threaten workers rights
In the same week a transition bill enters Federal Parliament to reform the nation’s industrial landscape, Qantas Valet Parking staff at Tullamarine Airport are facing the loss of significant entitlements and a collective agreement due to a change in contract.
15 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission proposes radical changes to agreement
Mission begins negotiating a new enterprise agreement for community service workers. Mission is beginning a process to negotiate a new enterprise agreement for its staff who are covered by the Social And Community Services Award. This process is being overseen by a new Human Resources team that has started with Mission and they have taken charge of our Enterprise Agreement renegotiation. They are proposing RADICAL changes to your pay and your rights at work.
14 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Mission Australia Community Services Agreement 2008
Your pay and all your working conditions are up for negotiation. Do you want to get the best Agreement possible?
14 February 2008 [ full story ]
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First step towards dismantling WorkChoices is welcome for working Australians
The Labor Government’s proposed new workplace relations law, tabled in Parliament today, is an important and welcome first step towards reversing the damage done to working Australians by the Liberal and National Parties’ unfair ‘WorkChoices’ laws, say unions.
13 February 2008 [ full story ]
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SORRY.
The ASU endorses the new Rudd Government’s apology to the stolen generations. This should have been done long ago by the previous federal government and we are pleased that Kevin Rudd has seized the opportunity provided by the first sitting of the new Parliament to make a fresh start on reconciliation with the symbolic gesture of “sorry”.
13 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Growing campaign against NSW power privatisation: public meeting and rally
Public opposition has grown against the NSW Iemma Government plan to sell its electricity retail business and lease its power generating plants for 99 years to private companies.
12 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - February 11, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: ASU members serving our cities, suburbs, regions, bush and country; Storms across Eastern Australia; Australasian Railway Association; Hobart Water - Federal Employment Ombudsman; Greenhouse gas emissions and energy reporting, policy paper released; Skilling and retention within the Australian electricity supply industry workshops/meetings; World Rail Day will also back Osanloo; APHEDA - ASU members wanting to lend their support to the Western Sahara Movement; The Australasian Railway Association communiqué on RISSB Standards; plus more.
12 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Banks should help struggling families hold onto their homes
Banks have a moral responsibility to help struggling families hold onto their homes say unions. With the profits of the major banks at record levels they also have the financial capacity to negotiate with customers hit hard by the latest interest rate rise and be flexible with individual mortgage and loan repayments.
07 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Thousands more workers to be hurt by WorkChoices while Liberals stand by AWAs
Thousands more Australian workers will be hurt by WorkChoices as a result of today’s decision by the Liberals’ to defend the use of AWA individual contracts and oppose the Labor Party’s new industrial relations laws say unions.
07 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Let’s get serious!
Singapore Airlines ENT members met with management on 6 February 2008. You will see from the tables below the general responses to both your claims and the claims from the Company.
07 February 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from January 2008
Over 200 union leaders, along with a delegation of 12 senior ASU officers, have been in Canberra this week deliberating over our future steps in the work of protecting and enhancing your rights at work.
04 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Reserve Bank should wait & see before working families are hit by interest rate rise say unions
Unions today warned that low and middle income working families cannot afford another rise in interest rates and are calling on the Reserve Bank to hold rates at current levels until the full impact of the global financial situation is clearer.
04 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - February 4, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Local Government and Australia Day; New plan for harmonised national IR system released; Workplace fatalities make national focus on OH&S a priority; Unions vow to take on companies that continue to exploit workers; Workplace rights lost under Liberals’ WorkChoices laws must be restored say unions; ILO projects global economic turbulence could generate five million more unemployed in 2008; Las Vegas renews Veolia contract; Water reform – NSW.
04 February 2008 [ full story ]
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Unions vow to take on companies that continue to exploit workers
More than 200 union leaders, including a delegation from the ASU, that have been meeting in Canberra over the past three days have wound up their conference today vowing to take on big companies that don’t respect the rights of employees and continue to exploit workers.
01 February 2008 [ full story ]
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January 2008 |
Workplace rights lost under Liberals’ WorkChoices laws must be restored say unions
Union leaders have been meeting in Canberra this week at an ACTU conference to discuss how to scrap the Liberals’ WorkChoices IR laws and restore the rights of workers.
31 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Workplace fatalities make national focus on OH&S a priority
Urgent action is needed to prevent workplace deaths, the ACTU said today. A report from the Australian Safety Compensation Council reported today shows 162 people died in workplaces in the year July 2006 to June 2007, and increase from 157 the previous year.
31 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Show your pride and march!
Melbourne’s Pride March is on this Sunday, February 3 in St Kilda. It is the first pride march of the year and we urge GLAM supporters to attend their local events as they happen throughout the year.
30 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ILO projects global economic turbulence could generate five million more unemployed in 2008
GENEVA (ILO News) – Economic turbulence largely due to credit market turmoil and rising oil prices could spur an increase in global unemployment by an estimated 5 million persons in 2008, the International Labour Office (ILO) said recently in its annual Global Employment Trends report (GET)
29 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Stop the NSW electricity sell off - campaign update #1
In this update: Rally against the sell-off; Bad news for the environment; Unions take community concerns to State Government.
29 January 2008 [ full story ]
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New plan for harmonised national IR system released
The Final Report of the Williams Inquiry into a possible national industrial relations system was released last Friday, 25 January 2008. The Federal Government is considering the Report prepared by Professor George Williams concerning the possibility of a joint national and state government industrial relations system.
29 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - January 22, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Local government workers protecting towns; Water industry plays a role; Local government professional life guards and beach inspectors; Electricity supply restoration; New links for ASU Quality Public Services campaign; PSI Congress; University of Technology Sydney & Public Interest Advocacy Centre Report on Electricity Privatisation; Sydney Water pricing hearing - Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
23 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU members give Qantas EBA 8 thumbs up
Qantas staff have voted overwhelmingly to endorse the ASU EBA 8 deal negotiated and recommended by the ASU's Qantas National Negotiating Team before Christmas.
21 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Four days to go in Qantas EBA 8 ballot
There are four days left to vote in the ASU EBA 8 ballot. Voting is online either via the website: http://www.myvote.com.au/asueba8 You can also access the online ballot via the Qantas intranet in your workplace. Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 20th January 2008.
17 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Employers must stop forcing staff onto AWAs ahead of laws to scrap WorkChoices
Unions are calling on employers to stop forcing staff onto Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) ahead of new laws expected to be tabled next month in Federal Parliament that will ban AWAS and begin scrapping WorkChoices.
16 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ASUnet news … all the news from December 2007
The most hectic part of the festive season is now over with many returning to work. At the ASU, we are preparing for a new year with different challenges from last year, but challenges that are nonetheless crucially important for the future of Australian workers.
15 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - January 14, 2008
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Railway industry campaign materials on the way; New superannuation breakthrough; Where are you paying your public services bills for water, electricity, or council rates; LabourStart Labour Website of the Year; Water Polo Australia vs USA being played at local government venue; Sport & Recreation – ocean life guards win by ASU.
15 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU-PSI Utility Bulletin - December 2007
The current edition includes the following items: The PFI just can’t deliver; Energy retail switching at record levels; International Gas Research Conference 2008; Asia-Pacific Action Plan for Quality Public Services; PSI-APREC Utilities & Infrastructure; PSI and Asian Development Bank Dialogue; ADB Meetings also place the sectors on the agenda; Babies and Bosses - reconciling work and family life; Public sector key in policies for climate change; Asia-Pacific Water Summit; Privatisation of Public Services (Australia); Canadian – Ontario Coalition Against Electricity Privatization; Cambodia Seeks $3 Billion for Power Plants; plus more.
07 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU Recommends "Yes" Vote for EBA 8
Voting in Australian Services Union (Qantas Airways Limited) Agreement 8 (EBA 8) commences online from 9am on Monday 7 January 2008 and closes at midnight on Sunday 20 January 2008.
07 January 2008 [ full story ]
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ASU condemns fines for WA construction workers
The ASU has joined with the ACTU, CFMEU and other unions to express their strong condemnation of fines up to $10,000 meted out under the Howard Government’s IR laws to 91 West Australian construction workers in a Federal Court decision in late December.
04 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - December 21, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Commission announces future wage-setting program; Government announces moratorium on new companies joining Comcare; Assessing local government revenue raising capacity; The PFI just can’t deliver by Margie Jaffe UNISON UK; A national approach for Public Private Partnerships; Private Equity; Protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families; Can you support this urgent online action for Mahmoud Salehi; Reductions in grain rail services will hurt local government; plus more.
02 January 2008 [ full story ]
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Public Services Bulletin - December 24, 2007
This edition of the ASU Public Services Bulletin contains the following items: Sport & Recreation – ocean life guards win by ASU; Eight people honoured with Rainbow Awards for creating harmony in the Tasmanian community; ASU pushes the union COAG agenda; Privatisation of public services in NSW.
02 January 2008 [ full story ]
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