Unions fear the $5 billion company tax cut promised by the Coalition today will come at the expense of workers through an increased GST or savage cuts to services, the ACTU said today. "The Coalition's plan for the economy seems to begin and end with boosting the profits of Australian…

"It is good to be here again at the National Press Club and I appreciate the opportunity to outline what the union movement regards as the key issues for Australian workers at this year's federal election." Download the full speech here:  Ged Kearney speech at National Press Club, 7 August…

The ASU supports the Federal Government's announcement of additional child care help for parents using out of school hours care and is calling on councils to work with local schools to allow local government child care educators and carers to be part of the support mechanisms. "It makes sense to…

The ACTU is backing a call by Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten for a pre-election debate between the major parties on industrial relations policy. Minister Shorten today called on his Coalition counterpart Eric Abetz to come out of hiding and commit to a debate on workplace policy. "Working people absolutely…

With the announcement of the federal election on 7 September, plans for the referendum for the Constitutional recognition of local government have been put on hold. The referendum cannot be held at the same time as the 7 September election because the required notice period will not have elapsed. The…

The ASU Organising Committee at RACV Member Contact Centre has reached a breakthrough in negotiations with management over their new agreement. >>> Read the full item on the Branch website here

The ASU continues to support workers in Fiji who have faced assaults on their workplace rights since 2011. The latest case involves sugar workers whose wages have declined by 40% in recent years. After secret ballots, their union has called for strike action but has faced Government retaliation. Australian unions…

Australians face a stark choice at this election between a government that will stand up for work rights and an opposition which has promised to wind back protections at work and introduce individual contracts. ACTU President Ged Kearney said working people would be looking for parties and candidates to demonstrate…

This edition contains the following items: Constitutional Recognition of Local Government; Qualification charts would be valuable to Local Government Industry Branch Vocational Advisory Committees; Australians back skills and education as best path to productivity growth; It Shouldn't Happen to our VET; Marles vows not to cave to US pressure; 2013…

Both sides of politics must focus on supporting jobs and industry with today's budget update revealing a concerning projected rise in unemployment, the ACTU said today. The Federal Government has revised projected unemployment upwards from 5.75 to 6.25% in 2013-14. "In this economic climate, with rising unemployment, we need both…