Rights at Work

  The Australian Services Union's global affiliate Public Services International (PSI) has today released a new report that reveals secret trade negotiations may threaten public services across the globe, including in Australia. The ASU, as the principal union in local government and utilities (water & energy) is alarmed at findings…

The rate of work injuries and deaths in the workplace will increase - bringing loss and heartbreak to families and communities - should life-saving regulations be rolled back nationally as they have been in Queensland. ACTU President Ged Kearney said, today, Worker's Memorial Day, was a sobering reminder of why…

A $27 wage rise per week for our lowest paid workers is essential if Australia is to avoid creating an underclass of working poor, unions say. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said that new research contained within the ACTU submission to the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review shows that if…

Working Life is a news source for all workers, bringing you a range of stories. Read it, print it, share it! The latest edition includes the following: Where are the jobs, Prime Minister?; How fair is unfair dismissal; New laws to help workers take a stand against bullying; Welcome to…

An employer push to stop the Fair Work Commission (FWC) from considering bullying that occurred before the new laws came into effect demonstrates heartless disregard for workers and lets employers off the hook, said unions. ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick said the new laws – which came into effect on…

The Abbott Government's assault on workers continues today with shocking reports that it intends to make it easier for employers to bypass local workers and Australian industries. The reports outline the Coalition's intention to make it easier for employers to hire 457 visa workers and for major projects to import…

Unions demand the Abbott Government drop any attempt to introduce Individual Contracts that will cut take-home pay. ACTU President Ged Kearney said the Abbott Government has given employers the green light to cut people's pay under the guise of greater 'flexibility'. "This is a blatant attempt to cut pay and…

As G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bankers prepare to meet in Sydney, the "Labour 20" warned against complacency by policy makers that risks leading to higher not lower unemployment. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC said that the time has come for Finance Ministers to recognise that their policies…

With the wage Price Index released today showing wages growth well below average in every single industry, it's time for the Abbott Government to come clean about the non-existent 'wages-blowout'. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said, "The truth is that we are seeing the slowest wages growth on record and it's…

With mounting job losses and the highest unemployment rate in over a decade, the Abbott Government needs to abandon its empty rhetoric and tell Australians where the new jobs are going to come from. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said news today that Aloca will close its Point Henry aluminium smelter…