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Australian Labour News

Rally for Ark Tribe - 07 September 2010

Truckies driven to drugs - 07 September 2010

Pig Iron Bob doco in the making - 06 September 2010

Unions send message to UPS - 01 September 2010

The Hungry Mile and Barangaroo - 30 August 2010

Ship of Shame behind oil spill - 27 August 2010

News by Date

January 2010

CPSU Pledge to Haitian Appeal 21 January 2010
The CPSU, Australia's major Public Service Trade Union, today announced that it would, start the contributions to the Public Services fund for the Haiti Aid Appeal, with a $40 thousand donation to the victims of the disasterous earthquake.

October 2009

Equal Pay Day: 1st September 12 October 2009

We ask all members of the CPSU to wear RED on Tuesday the 1st of September to mark Equal Pay Day.

World Day for Decent Work 07 October 2009

June 2009

INDISPENSABLE 23 June 2009
The UN General Assembly, in its Resolution 57/277, designated 23 June as Public Service Day. The UN Public Service Day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector. Since the first Awards Ceremony in 2003, the United Nations has received an increasing number of submissions from all around the world.

February 2009

Victoria Fire Tragedy 10 February 2009
We are humbled by the dedication of our public sector colleagues in the face of Victoria's tragedy.

May 2008

The Campaign continues 26 May 2008
The ACTU will continue its conversation with working Australians about their rights at work, through an advertising campaign launched today (Sunday 25 May).

Budget relieves some pressure 14 May 2008
The 2008 Federal Budget is a good step towards undoing the damage of Work Choices and relieving the pressure on working Australians and their families

Australian workers urged to help Burma 12 May 2008
The Australian Trade Union movement�s overseas aid organization Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA has launched an appeal in the wake of the devastating cyclone that hit Burma last weekend.

Rudd has chance to fix pay inequality 09 May 2008
The new Rudd Government promises a fair, modern workplace relations system. This promise has been in response to the WorkChoices debacle inflicted upon and rejected by the Australian worker.

Unions call for help on Burma 08 May 2008
Brussels, 7 May 2008 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has called for a massive international humanitarian relief effort following the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Nargis which hit Burma on Friday night.

April 2008

Big business attacks OH&S 30 April 2008
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.

14 weeks paid maternity leave critical 29 April 2008
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.

ACTU submission to 2020 Summit 21 April 2008
The Summit is an important opportunity for the needs of working Australians and their families to be fully considered in the development of policy prescriptions for a prosperous and fair Australia say unions.

Peak groups agree on maternity leave 08 April 2008
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.

March 2008

ACTU: Chinese govt should talk to Tibet 31 March 2008
Unions are disturbed by reports that media have been barred from entering or forced to leave areas with large Tibetan populations. Human rights groups have expressed fears that this is being done in preparation for a large scale crackdown on Tibetan communities.

Myer introduces 6 weeks paid mat leave 27 March 2008
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.

Pay grab by Liberal MPs 26 March 2008
Reports today that senior Liberals, including those responsible for introducing Work Choices, 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.

ACTU: Bring on ban on new AWA's 19 March 2008
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 Work Choices IR laws say unions.

Work Choices officially dead and buried 19 March 2008
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declared Australian Workplace Agreements "dead and buried" as parliament passed legislation dismantling the previous Howard government's controversial Work Choices laws.

Fair Pay Commission considers pay rise 14 March 2008
As submissions close today (Friday) for the Fair Pay Commission�s 2008 minimum wage deliberations, the ACTU repeats 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.

Unions seek pay increase for low paid 12 March 2008
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.

February 2008

Tell the Senate your AWA story 27 February 2008
Have your or your friends and family had an experience with AWAs? Did you have to try and negotiate with your boss in a WorkChoices environment? How did you feel about your kids having to find jobs in a WorkChoices world?

NSW Community Rally To Stop The Sell-Off 25 February 2008
Community Rally To Stop The Sell-Off Children and families welcome. Come along and let the state government know that you don't support the power sell-off. Tuesday February 26 at 11am. NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney.

Libs determined to keep workchoices 21 February 2008
Work Choices is not dead while the Liberal Party remains committed to using individual contracts and refuses to rule out bringing back AWAs say unions.

Liberals delay scrapping workchoices 19 February 2008
Thousands more Australian workers will be hurt by the loss of pay and conditions while the Liberals continue to delay a new law to ban AWA individual contracts and begin dismantling of Work Choices said the ACTU.

Qantas staff "offered" pay cuts 18 February 2008
Around 170 staff at Qantas Valet Parking across Australia are being made redundant and then offered their jobs back on five-year AWAs that remove their penalty rates and cut their take home pay by up to $300 a week or $15,000 a year.

Liberals try to rewrite history 18 February 2008
Claims by the former Minister responsible for �Work Choices�, Joe Hockey, that his Liberal Cabinet colleagues did not understand that workers would be worse off by the Liberals� Work Choices laws are simply not believable, say unions.

New secure working future 15 February 2008
All Australians will be able to look forward to a more secure working future under the 10 new employment standards proposed by the Rudd Government, says ACTU President Sharan Burrow.

Libs hurt thousands of workers 14 February 2008
Thousands more Australian workers will be hurt by Work Choices 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.

Universities welcome an end to AWA's 06 February 2008
University staff today welcomed the announcement that the former Howard Government�s forced offering of AWA�s to staff has ended.

Banks have a moral responsibility 06 February 2008
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.

Union leaders vow to stop exploitation 01 February 2008
More than 200 union leaders meeting in Canberra over the past three days have wound up their conference vowing to take on big companies that continue to exploit workers.

January 2008

Saying sorry is essential 31 January 2008
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner said saying sorry to members of the Stolen Generations is an essential step in healing and progressing life outcomes for Indigenous Australians and congratulated the federal government for its announcement today that it would make a formal apology on 13 February.

Carbon liabilities devalue NSW power 22 January 2008
The Australia Institute is today releasing a new analysis of the carbon liabilities of NSW electricity generators. Under the Rudd Government�s planned emissions trading scheme, coal-fired power plants will need to purchase emission permits to cover their greenhouse gas emissions.

Keep power in taxpayers hands 17 January 2008
Just before Christmas the NSW Iemma Government announced that it was planning to sell its electricity retail business and lease its power generating plants to private companies.

Stop forcing AWA's on staff: ACTU 09 January 2008
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 Work Choices.

PSA slams State Government 09 January 2008
The Public Service Association of NSW has slammed the Iemma Government for failing to consult with Unions or the public on plans to privatise the State's electricity industry.

People before profits: ACTU 07 January 2008
The ACTU is urging Australia�s major banks to put people before profits and refrain from increasing interest rates following recent decisions by ANZ and the National Australia Bank to put rates up.

December 2007

Business needs to admit workchoices dead 20 December 2007
The ACTU has called on the business community to also admit Work Choices is dead and to immediately stop pushing workers onto unfair AWA individual contracts, following the announcement of Liberal leader Brendan Nelson today. ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:

New unfair dismissal laws vital 19 December 2007
The Liberal Party should accept that Australians have rejected their extreme approach to industrial relations and support Labor�s plan for new laws that will scrap Work Choices and restore protection from unfair dismissal for Australian workers.

Stop the Sell-Off in NSW 19 December 2007
The NSW branch of the CPSU-SPSF (PSA NSW) is asking union members throughout Australia and overseas to support a campaign to stop the State Government selling our power industry to private companies.

Rudd takes the axe to Workchoices 17 December 2007
Government starts dismantling Work Choices Parliament to debate new laws in February First measure will stop any new AWAs

November 2007

Telstra CEO gets $22 m handshake 08 November 2007
The fact that Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo will get a $22 million pay packet this year while one million working families will get a real pay cut of up to $800 shows the unfairness of the Howard Government�s Work Choices IR laws said the ACTU.

Workchoices sends real wages backwards 05 November 2007
A new ACTU analysis shows that the award wages for more than a million low paid workers have gone backwards by up to $15.67 a week � or $814 a year � in real terms under the Howard Govt�s Work Choices.

Howard says govt will go futher on IR 01 November 2007
John Howard has confirmed that his Government will push ahead with their plan to reduce coverage of the award safety net and would also consider changes to the fairness test if re-elected, according to a report in today's Australian Financial Review.

October 2007

Howard plans 1.5 million more on AWA's 29 October 2007
John Howard cannot be trusted on industrial relations and there is no doubt the Liberals will take Work Choices further after the election, the ACTU said today.

CPSU condemns Howard Government Minister 29 October 2007
The union covering University general and administration staff has condemned comments made today (Monday) by Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop that Universities should replace general staff positions at Universities and employ more academics.

Billionaire wants slave labour 23 October 2007
Yesterday billionaire retailer Gerry Harvey said a "second tier" of foreign workers should be created in Australia, paid fifty percent less than local workers, undercutting local wages and conditions.

NFF wants Government to cut rural wages 22 October 2007
Hundreds of thousands of workers in rural and regional areas across Australia face significant cuts to their wages and conditions under a new National Farmers' Federation plan to get rid of the Howard Government's 'fairness test' if the Liberals are re-elected.

Election a chance to protect our rights 15 October 2007
The Federal Election is an opportunity for working families to protect their rights at work and vote against the Liberals� and Nationals� unfair WorkChoices IR laws says the ACTU.

WorkChoices worsens women�s pay gap 11 October 2007
The pay gap between men and women has widened under the Howard Government, with women on AWA individual contracts falling furthest behind.

AWA slashes meatworkers pay 10 October 2007
A new Workplace Authority-approved job agreement that cuts the take home pay of around 300 workers at the Lobethal abattoir in SA's Adelaide hills district by up to $88 a week shows the Howard Government's fairness test is a total sham say unions.

Hockey releases "rubbery" figures 08 October 2007
Rubbery figures released from Joe Hockey�s Workplace Authority cannot be trusted says the ACTU.

September 2007

Major retailer abandons AWA's 18 September 2007
A decision by major retailer Spotlight to abandon the use of AWA individual contracts confirms the Howard Government's WorkChoices IR laws are bad for both workers and businesses says the ACTU.

Workers lose 1/3 of their pay 14 September 2007
A new government-funded report released today confirms that Australia's 1.7 million retail and hospitality workers have been hit the hardest by the introduction of the WorkChoices IR laws, with some workers losing up to a third of their incomes.

Costello will go even further 13 September 2007
John Howard's announcement that he will stand down in favour of Peter Costello is a clear signal that the Liberal Party plans to take a hardline approach to industrial relations and will go even further on its unfair WorkChoices IR laws if it wins the next election says the ACTU.

Fairness test a flop 05 September 2007
A new official report released today shows that despite a $37 million taxpayer funded IR advertising campaign to promote the Howard Government's new workplace watchdog, it has checked only one in ten AWA individual contracts since the introduction of the so-called 'Fairness Test'.

August 2007

Labor steps in the right direction 30 August 2007
The ACTU said that the Labor Party's transitional industrial relations arrangements announced today were an important step towards restoring rights for working families in Australia.

APEC must address exploitation: ACTU 30 August 2007
Stronger international efforts to prevent the exploitation of workers and to halt human trafficking and sex slavery in the Asia Pacific should be a priority for next week's APEC meeting in Sydney, unions said today.

New ACTU secretary takes the reigns 21 August 2007
The new Secretary of the ACTU, Jeff Lawrence, took office today vowing to stand up for working Australians and to intensify the campaign against the Howard Government's WorkChoices IR laws.

Sales workers to get commission only 17 August 2007
A decision by the Federal Government's pay setting body late yesterday (Thurs 16 Aug.) to scrap guaranteed minimum wages for property salespeople and allow commission-only payments is a dangerous precedent that could spell the beginning of the end for minimum award wages in Australia says the ACTU.

Memo: Rich business gets govt funding 14 August 2007
A confidential memo from the president of Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) has revealed a direct link between the funding of the big business pro-Liberal IR advertising campaign and the Howard Government's payments to business groups under its $40 million Employer Assistance Program (EAP) which gave money to the business groups to 'promote' Workchoices.

Howard fails to manage the economy 08 August 2007
Today's interest rate rise will put families under even more financial pressure and shows the Howard Govt is failing to manage the economy in the interests of ordinary working Australians says the ACTU.

Worker sacked after 24 years of loyalty 01 August 2007
Despite saturation advertising by the Federal Government claiming that workers cannot be sacked for refusing to sign an AWA individual contract, another case revealed today shows an employer has used the IR laws to sack a service station worker after 24 years service.

Workchoices hurts women more 01 August 2007
A new report (link and executive summary below) has found women in low-paid jobs are even worse off under the Federal Government's WorkChoices legislation.

July 2007

American workers dream of decent wages 30 July 2007
Three hard working low paid Americans are visiting Australia over the next two weeks to warn of the dangers of heading down the United States path to an economy based on jobs with low wages where working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare and basic living costs.

Bosses pay for Workchoices ad 27 July 2007
The Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) should return the $600,000 it received from the Howard Government to promote the 'WorkChoices' IR laws following AMMA's announcement today that they intend to contribute $500,000 to a big business pro-'WorkChoices' ad campaign.

Howard creates "A Fine Mess" 24 July 2007
Laurel and Hardy could not have done a better Job. A famous line from the old comedy team was ` this is a fine mess you�ve got us into� Howard, Hockey and Andrews have gotten us into a fine mess with WorkChoices. It would be laughable if it wasn�t so deliberate, unfair and unjust.

Howard to blame for job losses: ACTU 18 July 2007
The possible loss of 600 jobs at Ford's engine plant in Geelong is the latest sign of the Howard Government's disastrous neglect of Australia's car industry says the ACTU.

New union ad highlights concerns 12 July 2007
A new national union TV ad campaign launched today highlights the growing concern about the effects of the Howard Government's IR laws among older Australians and working parents.

Workchoices exploits young workers:ACTU 09 July 2007
The loss of protection from being sacked unfairly under the Howard Government's IR laws is a key factor in the rising number of cases where young workers are abused says the ACTU.

The lowest pay rise in a decade 05 July 2007
Today's pay rise for award workers is the lowest rise in minimum wages for ten years and shows the Fair Pay Commission has only listened to big employer groups and the Howard Government says the ACTU.

June 2007

IR laws used to rip off sacked workers 29 June 2007
After years of loyal service at Pele Curtains in the suburb of Mitcham, Denise and eight of her workmates were given just 15 minutes notice that they were being sacked.

ACTU calls on Govts to sign OHS charter 05 June 2007
A new charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers' compensation that sets out the minimum health and safety and compensation standards is being launched today by the ACTU.

ILO to investigate Aust labour standards 05 June 2007
The Howard Government's workplace laws will be examined at a hearing later this week into whether they comply with international labour standards.

May 2007

Fairness test is unfair: ACTU 29 May 2007
Workers will not be guaranteed full financial compensation for award conditions lost under the Federal Government's industrial relations laws according to the details of the Government's new WorkChoices amendments introduced into Parliament late yesterday (Monday).

Don't say the W word: Government says 17 May 2007
Despite widespread confusion over the Federal Government's latest IR changes that were introduced ten days ago without supporting legislation, call-takers at the official government IR hotline have been issued a directive to never say 'I don't know' when callers are unhappy with the lack of information about the new 'Fairness Test.

Miners oppose collective bargaining 15 May 2007
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has called on Australia's mining companies to clearly state whether they will respect two fundamental and internationally recognised democratic rights - the freedom to join and be represented by a union, and the right of workers to bargain collectively with their employer if that is what a majority of employees in a workplace want.

Fed Govt's job data wrong: ACTU 10 May 2007
Today's ABS data reveals that the number of new jobs created over the past year is less than were created in the year to April 2005, prior to the release of the Government's new IR laws.

Budget fails working families:ACTU 09 May 2007
This Budget fails working families in the three key areas it set out to achieve - the tax cuts are inadequate, the education measures give no special boost for public schools and nothing for TAFE, and with a lack of significant new investment in infrastructure & innovation there is no economic vision.

Tax cuts not enough: ACTU 08 May 2007
Tax cuts for low and middle income workers expected to be delivered in tonight's federal Budget might be a case of too little too late for working families the ACTU said today.

ACTU president congratulates Combet 08 May 2007
ACTU President Sharan Burrow today congratulated Greg Combet on winning Labor Party pre-selection for the New South Wales federal parliamentary seat of Charlton in the Hunter Valley region of NSW.

New push to undercut legal minimum wage 03 May 2007
A new push by major employers in the real estate industry to introduce a commission-only wages system could result in agency salespeople being paid less than the minimum legal wage.

Business should support ALP policy: ACTU 02 May 2007
The outcry of business groups ACCI and BCA against Labor's plan to scrap AWA individual contracts shows some business leaders are more interested in playing politics than responding to genuine community concern over the Federal Government's IR laws says the ACTU.

April 2007

Voters now have a clear choice: ACTU 30 April 2007
Working families now have a clear choice about the future direction of industrial relations in Australia following the release of Labor�s industrial relations policy, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said.

Rudd denies new IR plan is sop to Unions 26 April 2007
Leader Kevin Rudd denies Labor's proposed industrial relations plan is pandering to unions, saying it will restore the balance between business and employees.

Fair Work Australia must be fair: Combet 26 April 2007
Labor should ensure its proposed new workplace umpire 'Fair Work Australia' is truly independent and has real powers to ensure the rights of Australian employees in the workplace are respected and enforced ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said today.

ALP will protect workers: ACTU 17 April 2007
All Australian workers would receive protection from being sacked unfairly if Labor wins the next federal election says the ACTU.

Govt needs to admit laws are hurting 16 April 2007
Instead of attacking unions the Federal Government should admit that its IR laws are hurting working families the ACTU said today.

$20m grant for big business 12 April 2007
The Sydney Morning Herald is today reporting on key industry and employer organisations receiving more than $20 million from the Federal Government to educate their members about the industrial relations laws. To comment go to http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/business-got-20m-for-ir-support/2007/04/11/1175971183185.html

Zimbabwe unions - national strike 04 April 2007
Brussels, 3 April 2007 (ITUC Online): The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the ZCTU, has called a general work stoppage throughout the country for 3 and 4 April. The ITUC fully supports its Zimbabwean affiliate's action. The stoppage has been called in protest at the government's failure to halt the dramatic economic decline in the country. Even those with a job are finding it virtually impossible to survive under the current economic circumstances in Zimbabwe. Inflation has spiralled out of control, reaching over 1700%.

Chocolate makers cut Easter pay 04 April 2007
No extra pay for working the Easter weekend is becoming the norm for workers in the retail sector as more employers use the Coalition Govt's new IR laws to abolish public holiday penalty rates say unions.

Darrell Lea chocs leave a bitter taste 03 April 2007
Spare a thought for the workers who are serving you your Easter eggs this weekend: they might have been lumped with an unfair AWA individual contract.

March 2007

Hard-hitting Union campaign continues 27 March 2007
With the Federal Government's new IR laws one year old today (Tues. 27 March), the ACTU will this morning release new national polling conducted on the weekend.

Study proves Workchoices hurts families 26 March 2007
With the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws proving a strong negative for the Liberal Party in the weekend's NSW State election the ACTU will today issue a report showing that after a year of WorkChoices the new IR laws are hurting Australian working families

One year on - The impact of the IR laws 26 March 2007
Reduced job security for working families � 3,761,000 Australian workers employed in businesses with less than 100 staff have lost protection from being unfairly dismissed. � 99% of all private sector employers are now exempt from all unfair dismissal laws.

Rights at Work BBQ 22 March 2007
We all love a BBQ with friends and family during our hard-earned time off. Kicking back with a beer or two, some snags - the perfect Australian weekend.

Mining industry report selfserving: ACTU 22 March 2007
The ACTU has labelled a report released today by the Australian Mines & Metals Association backing the Howard Government's AWA individual contracts as inaccurate and self serving.

Release Zimbabwean union leaders: ACTU 15 March 2007
The Australian Council of Trade Unions joined with other trade unions around the world today to condemn the assault and detention of Zimbabwe's opposition and trade union leaders, including Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the main Zimbabwean opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.

February 2007

Workers on AWA's get less: ABS 28 February 2007
New figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show employees in non-managerial jobs that are on the Federal Government's AWA individual contracts are working longer hours and for less pay than workers on collective agreements.

ABS: Working families wages cut 22 February 2007
New ABS data on Average Weekly Earnings released today (22 Feb.) reveal that Australian working families are suffering under the new IR laws with average weekly earnings for full time employees failing to keep up with the cost of living.

WTO study justifies union concern 20 February 2007
Brussels, 19 February 2007 (ICTU OnLine): World trade union body the ITUC today welcomed the publication of the first-ever joint study by the ILO and the WTO, �Trade and Employment: Challenges for Policy Research�, as an unprecedented step forward towards achieving genuine coherence in the way the world�s major institutions work together.

UNIONS TO PURSUE CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTION 16 February 2007
Unions are holding a national meeting today in Sydney to develop solutions to the growing problem of climate change and global warming that will protect jobs, including those of coal miners, and at the same time put Australian industries on a more environmentally sustainable footing.

Wages for women worse under Workchoices 13 February 2007
ABC radio is reporting today that a study has found that many women are worse off under the new federal industrial relations changes.

Are our jobs safe? Ask Qantas NT workers 08 February 2007
Qantas workers at Darwin airport will meet with union president Sharan Burrow to discuss their concerns over the Federal Government's refusal to provide a guarantee that Australian jobs will be protected in the proposed $11 billion sale of Qantas to a group of local and foreign private investors. To email the Federal Government on this issue go to: http://cpsu-spsf.asn.au/campaigns_new/australian_jobs/index.html

Voters say NO to QANTAS sell-off 05 February 2007
80% of marginal seat voters say Federal Government isn't doing enough to stop Australian businesses being sold overseas and jobs lost offshore

Hardie's compensation deal breakthrough 01 February 2007
Australian-based shareholders of James Hardie will be briefed on the proposed compensation deal for asbestos victims at an Extraordinary Information Meeting being held by the company in Sydney tomorrow (Thurs. 1 Feb, 2007).

January 2007

Decent work = Decent life 23 January 2007
Nairobi, 21 January 2007 A worldwide campaign for Decent Work was launched today in Nairobi, Kenya at the World Social Forum by the Decent Work Alliance and with the help of Wangari Maathai, Kenya's 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner.*

Equal Pay even further away 22 January 2007
DEBATE was ignited last week about the role of women - to be a mother, to have a career or to do both and try to balance the two often conflicting roles. In today's working environment, it is a difficult choice that women are far too often forced to make.

Volunteers - the new police in NSW 16 January 2007
Desperately understaffed Local Area Commands are relying on volunteers to plug shortages in support staff , the Public Service Association warned today.

December 2006

Howard sells out Qantas workers 20 December 2006
Unions today called on the Federal Government to protect Qantas jobs, safety, services and standards and expressed strong concerns about the impact of the proposed private equity buy-out of Qantas.

Injured workers to get less compensation 13 December 2006
A new Federal Government move to encourage big businesses to self-insure for workers' compensation could mean substantially reduced payouts for injured workers and significantly lower the national standard of workplace health and safety says the ACTU.

Aust NZ unions speak out on Fiji 08 December 2006
"Unions in Australia and New Zealand are supporting the call for working people in Fiji to demonstrate peaceful resistance to the failing coup," the Australian and New Zealand Councils of Trade Unions said today.

Fiji public servants denounce takeover 08 December 2006
Australian unions, including the CPSU-SPSF, are calling for support for Fijian public servants, who are being harrassed and intimidated after a military coup in their country. The Fiji Public Service Association General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh has denounced the military takeover. Fiji PSA is a sister union to the CPSU-SPSF and member of our peak international body, Public Services International.

PSI support democracy in Fiji 07 December 2006
Public Services International (PSI) strongly condemns Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama's actions in dismissing, through force, the legitimately elected government of Fiji.

November 30 video link 01 December 2006
The videos from the Nov 30 rally are on the ACTU website here: www.actu.asn.au/Campaigns/YourRightsatWork/Campaignmaterialandresources/VideosfromtheNationalDayofAction.aspx Due to popular demand, they have been uploaded on YouTube, the popular (free) video sharing website. Please pass around the links far and wide!

November 2006

Address to the national day of protest 30 November 2006
Your Rights: Your Future Address to national day of protest against the Government�s IR laws Sharan Burrow, ACTU President 30 November 2006

Speech against the Government's IR laws 30 November 2006
Your Rights at Work Worth Voting For: Address to the national day of action against the Government�s IR laws Greg Combet, ACTU Secretary 30 November 2006

More than 264,000 rally across Australia 30 November 2006
Unions have vowed to continue the campaign against the Howard Government's IR laws following successful national protests at more than three hundred venues across Australia and the involvement of more than 264,000 people (with Perth and other WA rally attendances yet to be included).

No choice for bank employees: ACTU 29 November 2006
The ACTU says that Commonwealth Bank employees do not have a genuine choice when asked to sign one of the new bank-wide standard AWA individual contracts and challenged the bank to conduct a ballot of staff over whether workers want an individual job contract or a collective agreement.

TV advertises November 30 rally 27 November 2006
The ACTU has begun a television ad blitz to promote a national community protest against the Howard Government�s IR laws this Thursday 30 November.

Oxfam/WaterAid report faults World Bank 01 November 2006
A report issued by Oxfam and another British NGO, Water Aid, calls for sharply increased investment in public services in developing countries in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals, and underlines the importance of improving wages and conditions of public sector workers. It finds fault with the World Bank for blocking progress by failing to deliver predictable aid that supports public systems and for pushing privatisation programmes that "hinder development [and] do not benefit poor people".

October 2006

Exploited os workers under-paid 31 October 2006
The announcement by the OWS today that temporary workers have been underpaid $650,000 is conclusive proof that exploitation of overseas workers is rife under the Federal Government's 457 visa program says the ACTU.

Unions open one stop joining shop 23 October 2006
The ACTU aims to broaden public involvement in its campaign against the Howard Government's industrial relations laws with the launch today of a new one-stop service that will make it easier and quicker for people to join unions.

Children under 15 on contracts 19 October 2006
Australian children as young as 14 years old are signing AWA individual contracts under the Coalition Government's IR laws.

Send John Howard a message he can't miss 12 October 2006
Dear friend, When John Howard visits Melbourne next month, he will get a nasty shock when he looks out the window of his chauffeur-driven car.

Petrol workers pay slashed 05 October 2006
Up to 65 Tasmanian workers are facing pay cuts of as much as $190 a week and the loss of important award conditions under new employment contracts that exploit newly discovered loopholes in the Federal Govt's IR laws that allow owners of new businesses to impose pay cuts and change work conditions without any consultation or agreement with existing workers says the ACTU.

September 2006

IR changes slash take home pay 27 September 2006
A new ACTU analysis of ABS data shows the IR changes are starting to bite into workers' take home pay with the latest data showing that in the last twelve months average earnings failed to keep pace with inflation for the first time in five years, since the introduction of the GST.

Exclusive Brethren excludes unions 26 September 2006
The Exclusive Brethren is a secretive Christian organisation that attracts a great deal of controversy over its involvement in politics. Although its members are forbidden from voting, the group spends enormous amounts of money running advertisements smearing left-wing political parties -- and the families of left-wing politicians.

Workers have a right to a fair deal 22 September 2006
SIMPLE principles of democracy underpin the ACTU's collective bargaining proposal, insists ACTU leader Greg Combet.

Howard's offer not enough: ACTU 22 September 2006
A report today that the Federal Govt is considering changes to its IR regulations less than six months after they were introduced show that the new laws are too extreme, already leading to many workers being sacked unfairly and suffering cuts to their job conditions and take home pay says the ACTU.

Qld school support staff take action 19 September 2006
School support staff across Queensland, angry that Education Queensland has failed to properly address issues of staff shortages and high workloads, will begin industrial action this week as part of a campaign for better-quality schools.

Fair Go for all - CPSU-SPSF 14 September 2006
The ACTU�s Fair Go at Work policy would restore fairness to the industrial relations system, State public sector unions said today.

Defining the new workplace 13 September 2006
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet today released a detailed vision for a new system of workplace relations for Australia based on the right of employees to bargain collectively and to have a democratic vote in workplaces

Save medibank update 12 September 2006
Under increasing pressure from policy holders, unions, media, doctors, community groups and health academics - it appears that the Government may be postponing its plans to sell Medibank Private.

Who wins if Medibank is sold? 01 September 2006
The Federal Government wants to sell Medibank - Australia�s largest, not for profit, national health insurer.

August 2006

Unions mark Gurindji strikel 22 August 2006
The following statement on behalf of Sharan Burrow, ACTU President and Darcel Russell, Chair of the ACTU Indigenous Committee and the ACTU Indigenous Committee is to commemorate the Wave Hill strike.

Permanent staff replaced by contractors 17 August 2006
New IR laws to be debated in Parliament today will make it easier for big business to cut the pay and conditions of subcontractors or replace permanent staff with contractors on lower wages and conditions says the ACTU.

Women lose under IR changes 14 August 2006
The Federal Government has made funding to independent advisory centres for working women conditional on the centres conducting Workchoices seminars and producing publications that promote its extreme industrial relations laws, it has been revealed today.

Austs working harder just to tread water 02 August 2006
Australians are working harder not to get ahead, but just to keep what they have got says the ACTU.

New laws bad for business 01 August 2006
A new national survey by software company MYOB released today (Tuesday 1 August) has found that the Howard Government's new IR laws are unfair for workers and bad for productivity.

July 2006

ACTU: Federal Govt attack 'disgraceful' 26 July 2006
The ACTU today strongly condemned the Federal Government for its attack on the workers appearing in the ACTU television advertisements.

APHEDA appeals for Mid-East donations 25 July 2006
Ordinary Palestinian, Lebanese and Israeli families are suffering from a military conflict that must cease says the ACTU.

Tanker crew faces fines 10 July 2006
The crew of an Australian tanker docked in Hobart could face fines under the Howard Govt's IR laws for protesting against the operator's decision to replace the Australian crew with foreign seafarers by refusing to unload the ship's cargo of sulphuric acid.

June 2006

Strong message to Howard 29 June 2006
Widespread community concern over cuts to take-home pay and the loss of basic employment conditions has underpinned strong turnouts at protests across Australia says the ACTU.

Government only listens to big business 27 June 2006
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet has rejected today's erroneous claims by the Prime Minister John Howard saying the real issue is that the Government only listens to big business on industrial relations and completely ignores the views and interests of Australian working families.

New IR laws won't help economy 27 June 2006
The economic case for the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws is in tatters today following a report by leading economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel which says the new laws will do nothing to assist the growth of the Australian economy.

Big business ballyhoo bollocks 16 June 2006
Employer group outrage over ALP Leader Kim Beazley's announcement that he will protect workers' pay and employment conditions from being cut by John Howard's AWA individual contracts is being driven by big business self interest ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said today.

Send a super message to the PM 15 June 2006
A recommendation to the Federal Government by the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Business has serious implications for the low paid. Go to the link below to send a message to the PM

Aust govt ignores international law 09 June 2006
The Australian Government is continuing to flout international standards on key labour rights including the Right to Collective Bargaining and Protection of the Right to Organise.

Wage freeze starts today - Thanks Johnny 07 June 2006
A Federal Government 'wage freeze' for more than 1.6 million low paid workers starts today, 7 June 2006, says the ACTU.

May 2006

Help East Timor 31 May 2006
Dear Supporter, The civil conflict in East Timor has caused people from many areas of the capital, Dili, to flee their homes. People remember the trauma of the occupation and also the terrible destruction wrought by the pro-Indonesian militia in the wake of the independence referendum in 1999.

Miners: Feds should lift OHS ban 30 May 2006
Union members from the Beaconsfield Mine in Tasmania today issued the following statement thanking the Australian public for their ongoing support and thanking the Australian Parliament for today's reception.

Penalties and allowances axed 30 May 2006
A senior Government official has confirmed that penalty rates, shift allowances and annual leave loading for employees have been abolished in a majority of new individual contracts (AWAs) registered under the Howard Government's new IR laws - leaving employees thousands of dollars worse off than they would be under an award, says the ACTU.

Rally Wednesday June 28 - NSW details 26 May 2006
Dear friend, Sacked by text message. Fired then rehired on a contract that pays $200 less a week. Pay docked for doing a whip around for the widow of a mate killed on the job. All around the nation Australians have felt first hand the real cost of the Howard Government's new industrial relations laws.

Unions push for wage increase 15 May 2006
Unions will today (Monday) press ahead with claims for a 4% lift in wages for more than one million low paid workers, arguing that an immediate pay rise is needed to cover spiralling petrol, interest rate, and other price rises that are hurting working families.

Budget offers little for families: ACTU 10 May 2006
Already under pressure from the meanest industrial relations laws in 100 years, the handouts in this Budget will be quickly swallowed up by the rising cost of living for working families says the ACTU.

ACTU to Howard: Give families a fair go 08 May 2006
The ACTU has accused the Howard Government of being too focussed on the needs of high income earners and big corporations and is calling on the Government to give far greater priority to easing the pressure on working families in next Tuesday's Federal Budget.

Contracting: new threat to job security 04 May 2006
The Howard Government's proposed new 'Independent Contractors' law will further undermine the job security of working Australians by making it easier for big businesses to replace existing workers with so-called independent contractors says the ACTU.

Major employers to slash take-home pay 02 May 2006
Major employers Spotless Services Australia and the Coles-Myer company have moved to take advantage of the Howard Government's new industrial relations laws by slashing workers' take-home pay by up to $160 a week.

Now it's workplace safety under threat 02 May 2006
The ACTU has called on the Howard Government to repeal the sections of its new industrial relations laws that ban workplace agreements from giving workers leave to attend union-provided health and safety training or meetings.

March 2006

Aust public 'overwhelmingly' opposed IR 27 March 2006
New ACTU polling shows the Australian public is overwhelmingly opposed to the Government's new IR laws.

Minimum wages cut despite promises 21 March 2006
The Federal Government has broken its promise to protect minimum wages with employers winning a new right to pay workers less than the federal minimum wage of $12.75 an hour during periods when business is slow says the ACTU.

Fines for improving job security 20 March 2006
Details of harsh new Federal Government fines and penalties for workers and unions and a crackdown on union activity in the workplace have been revealed by Workplace Minister Kevin Andrews who has released details of regulations relating to the Government�s new industrial relations laws.

Howard hostage to big business: ACTU 09 March 2006
ACTU President Sharan Burrow said that comments today by Peter Hendy of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported those of Senator Nick Minchin and showed that the Government will not stop in its ongoing attack on the working rights of Australian families, or its attempts to destroy Australia�s 100 year old conciliation and arbitration system.

Unions for Women - Women for Unions 08 March 2006
Brussels, 6 March 2006 (ICFTU Online): Antiunion violence against women, persistent wage gaps, the feminisation of poverty -the situation of women in the world of work is not getting any easier. On 8 March, International Women�s Day, the international trade union movement, building on the progress made since 2002, is to launch phase two of the �Unions for Women, Women for Unions� campaign.

WorkChoices dangerously flawed 01 March 2006
A special issue of the Journal of Australian Political Economy has been released on the Howard government's WorkChoices industrial relations 'reforms'.

February 2006

Overseas worker visas 'out of control' 24 February 2006
Unions are angry that the Federal Government recently approved visas for approximately 200 temporary workers from China to work at an abattoir in Murray Bridge, South Australia despite the fact that there is significant unemployment in the area.

Rule out wage cuts: ACTU 17 February 2006
Instead of confirming yesterday that 1.6 million Australians reliant on award wages face the prospect of a cut in their real wages, the Federal Government's new Pay Commissioner, Professor Ian Harper should rule this out says the ACTU.

Bosses need to stop migrant rort: ACTU 14 February 2006
The ACTU calls on the Prime Minister to intervene in Australia's immigration program to guarantee that temporary work visas are not being abused by employers importing low-paid foreign workers to fill job vacancies that should be filled by Australians.

Employer group asks Govt to cut pay 09 February 2006
An 'Award Review Taskforce' set up by the Howard Government under its new industrial relations laws is examining a new proposal to cut Award rates of pay for hundreds of thousands of skilled Australian workers the ACTU said today.

PSA to fight job cuts 06 February 2006
The NSW Public Service Association will today announce that their members will refuse to carry out the duties of colleagues whose jobs are cut from the public sector by the current or any future state government.

December 2005

Quietly trading away our rights 20 December 2005
International trade agreements ought to serve the public interest, not corporate appetites, writes Patricia Ranald principal policy officer at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the Sydney Morning Herald.

New International Alliance Of Unions 14 December 2005
"Decent work for decent lives" is the catchcry and heart of a fight back by a new international alliance of unions, progressive political leaders and NGOs that is calling on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to recognise core labour standards in trade talks this week.

We're in this for the long haul: ACTU 05 December 2005
Unions plan a long-term campaign to overturn the destructive new WorkChoices IR laws and unseat the Howard Government at the next federal election.

Unions fight HIV/AIDS 05 December 2005
The global trade union movement, including the CPSU-SPSF's international body Public Services International, has announced a series of initiatives for 2006 in the fight against HIV/AIDS, ranging from campaign and mobilisation action to activities in workplaces and lobbying of governments to get them to implement pledges they have made.

November 2005

Federal Office Financial Accounts 2005 24 November 2005
The CPSU-SPSF Group Federal Office Financial Accounts for the year ending 30 June 2005

Huge crowds at rallies 16 November 2005
Unions estimate that around 546,000 people attended rallies and protests across the country yesterday as part of Australia's largest ever national workers' protest.

Massive public concern over new work law 08 November 2005
More than 3000 submissions from members of the public have already been lodged to the Senate Inquiry examining the Government�s proposed new workplace laws.

Young, vulnerable workers abandoned 07 November 2005
More than a million young, disabled and trainee workers could face wage cuts and reduced rights when dealing with unscrupulous employers under the Government's IR legislation says the ACTU.

Workers sacked then AWA'ed 04 November 2005
IR laws could allow workers sacked for 'operational reasons' to be replaced by new staff on AWAs with just 5 conditions.

Taxpayers ad bill tops $55 million 01 November 2005
The Sydney Morning Herald reports today (Tuesday) that the Federal Government has spent $55 million spruiking its industrial relations ambitions so far, and the final bill may be much higher.

October 2005

Salvo's slam work changes 18 October 2005
The Salvation Army has considered the proposed industrial relations (IR) legislation from the point of view of those we represent; the young school leavers, those who are homeless, the abused and vulnerable who find it hard to get jobs because they lack skills, education or have no fixed address and those on the fringe of unemployment.

Senate IR inquiry a six day sham 13 October 2005
The Howard Government has agreed to a Senate Inquiry into the biggest workplace law changes in 100 years but it will be one of the shortest Inquiries on record says the ACTU.

Work harder, for longer, for less 11 October 2005
The Federal Government has used taxpayer dollars to produce a colourful booklet describing the new IR laws. On page 15 we find the example of Billy, a retail worker working under an AWA. The ACTU has uncovered Billy's real story.

Work choice means No Choice 10 October 2005
State Public Service unions, and individual union members, will now be able to be fined for industrial action under the new so-called "WorkChoice" laws, announced by the Howard Government yesterday (October 9).

September 2005

The inequality trap 09 September 2005
Australia has a proud tradition of seeking to ensure all of our citizens have access to a fair and reasonable wage that in turn allows families to provide adequate accommodation, food, healthcare and education. An integral part of this civilised tradition has been an industrial relations system that many would agree has provided a balanced approach to the rights of employers and employees.

Young workers bullied 08 September 2005
The ACTU has today renewed its call for the Federal Government to stop employers from putting workers under the age of 20 onto individual contracts, following the results of a new report which shows young workers are being bullied, pressured & exploited - often being paid less than the Award.

August 2005

Workplace changes inquiry a must: ACTU 23 August 2005
The ACTU says it is essential the Senate hold a comprehensive Inquiry into the biggest changes to the nation's workplace laws in 100 years and will today launch a campaign for all Australians eligible to vote to contact a Senator and request an Inquiry into the IR changes.

Stop young workers harrassment: ACTU 18 August 2005
The ACTU has renewed its call for the Federal Government to stop employers from putting workers under the age of 20 onto individual contracts.

OHS rights slashed 18 August 2005
The right of 250,000 employees working in Federal Government departments to help from unions on health and safety issues will be watered down by new Howard Government workplace changes introduced to Parliament late yesterday (Wednesday evening).

AWA�s exploit young workers 11 August 2005
A South Australian judge has highlighted the �manifest disadvantage� to a 15 year old employee of the Federal Government�s individual contracts (AWAs). The AWA paid the young woman 25% less than her minimum award entitlement.

World P S Union blasts Feds new I R Laws 11 August 2005
Public Services International (PSI) is a global trade union federation that represents 20 million women and men working in the public services around the world. The PSI wrote to the Prime Minister on Monday on the first day of the New Parliament. "PSI joins the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in expressing strong concern over your Government�s plans for drastic changes to workplace laws. We believe that these changes would do significant harm to Australia�s reputation and standing in the international community."

Govt research: Contracts hurt families 03 August 2005
The Federal Government�s own research report shows its individual contracts (AWAs) are hostile to work and family balance a Parliamentary Inquiry hearing in Melbourne will be told by the ACTU today.

July 2005

Australians worse off under welfare law 26 July 2005
If Parliament passes the Budget changes to welfare, at least 300,000 Australians could be worse off after July 2006, the Australian Council of Social Service said today, while launching a new online campaign to make the legislation fairer.

PM wrong about job creation 12 July 2005
A major new survey of Australian businesses contradicts the Prime Minister's claim that removing protection from unfair dismissal for employees in companies with less than 100 staff will create significantly more jobs.

June 2005

Elderly care the next hurdle for women 23 June 2005
The "double shift" borne by women who combine paid work with a disproportionate amount of domestic tasks is likely to become a "triple shift" as they have to also take on elder care, Sex Discrimination Commission Pru Goward warned today as she launched a new discussion paper on better sharing of paid and unpaid work between men and women.

Confused about superannuation? 10 June 2005
The ACTU has launched a superannuation web site designed to inform and educate union members and employees about super. The site is also targeted at union organisers, the media, trustees, academics and students.

Federal I R reform - Bishop's Letter 01 June 2005
The CPSU doesn't usually take a religious position on trade union matters and I R reform, though, we couldn't help noticing an important contribution made to the debate, with the news that the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta in the population center of Sydney, has written to thousands of catholics in the Diocese.

May 2005

Australian workers "done over " 26 May 2005
The biggest Public Sector Union describes the NEW I R changes as unbelievable. The public sector union said the Federal government's changes will make it almost impossible for millions of workers to get a fair go when they get sacked, and millions more will have their minimun standard cut. If the "battlers" are Howards friends, I hate to be his enemy." said the National Secretary for the State Public Sector union, David Carey

April 2005

Federal Govt plan to slash wages 12 April 2005
A Federal Government plan to scrap the annual minimum wages case would mean a reduction in the living standards for working Australians and their families says the ACTU.

March 2005

Howard's New Workplace Laws 17 March 2005
The ACTU Executive has endorsed a national campaign to protect and promote the interests of Australian working families against the Federal Government�s plans to radically change Australia�s workplace laws.

January 2005

Public Sector Unions ask States to help 23 January 2005
The world Public Sector union, Public Services International ( PSI ) affiliates in Australia have kicked-off a campaign to encourage State Public Sector Electricity and Water Companies to look to help rebuild the infrastructure of countries affected by the Asian Tsunami.

December 2004

NSW Public Service Pay Rise 17 December 2004
Members of the NSW PSA , the NSW SPSF Branch, in the NSW Public Service have voted in record numbers and by a record majority, to accept the latest pay offer from the NSW Government. The new deal will form the basis of an award from the NSW Commission, to give 4% per year for the next 4 years. The increase will be backdated to July 2004.

August 2004

Unions unconvinced by Trade Agreement 02 August 2004
Unions are not convinced that the Free Trade Agreement with the United States is in the country�s best interest and remain concerned about job losses in our manufacturing industry as well as the loss of Australian intellectual property rights.

April 2004

Government Rejects Umpire�s Decision 05 April 2004
In another attack on the rights of working people, the Prime Minister John Howard has announced that his Government would introduce legislation that would overturn the Australian Industrial Relations Commission�s Decision to grant redundancy payments to workers in small businesses.

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