Resolution Australian unions – working for a better life

Australian unions aim to make the future better for our children and future generations.
We are committed to the needs and interests of all working Australians and their families.
We believe in fairness, justice, and respect for the rights of all people, here and across the globe.
We seek a society that fosters community and a collective approach, in which everyone is valued and respected for their contribution. Where equality of opportunity and outcomes is achieved irrespective of gender, age, religion, race or sexual preference.
We strive for equitable access to the benefits of society and to safeguard people’s democratic right to participate and have their say.
This Congress has endorsed a new union agenda for job security, workers’ rights and a better Australia.
This agenda builds on existing policies and the six priorities previously set by ACTU Executive: a voice for working Australians; improving wages and working; creating a fairer Australia; growing union membership; organising our workplaces, industries and sectors; connecting with our communities.
It addresses the following priority areas:
A plan for the future of work that gives workers:
• Safe, secure and rewarding jobs in sustainable industries;
• The right to organise and bargain collectively;
• Fair wages, pay equity for women, and family-friendly working conditions;
• Access to training, skill development and support throughout their careers;
• A rich and rewarding life outside work, including in retirement; and
• Jobs that provide greater security for individuals and for the planet.
An organising and growth strategy that:
• Safeguards and extends the same rights for all workers;
• Builds strong, democratic and growing unions which are effective in representing their members;
• Closely involves the wider community and other organisations on shared issues of concern;
• Is able to influence and achieve lasting political and social change.
A vision for a fairer society where:
• Everyone has access to good healthcare, appropriate housing, quality education and other essential community services;
• The lives of working people are made easier and our communities are strengthened through access to transport, communications, and public services;
• The most vulnerable members of the community are supported to enable their participation in economic and social life;
• Laws are applied equally to all citizens;
• Government plays a positive role in stabilising the business cycle to secure jobs and living standards;
• The economy provides benefits to the whole community;
• There is action to end the disadvantage for Indigenous Australians;
• Australia participates in international arenas to promote peace, security, human rights, labour standards and prosperity through fair trade arrangements; and
• There is strong and urgent action to tackle climate change.
Our immediate priorities are to protect workers from effect of the global financial crisis, to create the highest standard of OHS protections, and secure one set of laws with equal rights for all workers.
To deliver these priorities unions commit to campaign and grow. Unions will campaign in the workplace, the community and politically to improve workers’ rights and achieve a fairer society.

Union response to global financial crisis

Analysis of new IR Laws

Members Equity Leading the Way

NUW – Reflections of a proud history

“The Storemen and Packers’ Union is extremely militant, as NSW people recently have had good cause to know, but it is far from being leftist. BOB CARR examines its ambivalent approach to industrial issues and looks at the men who are running it”. Former NSW Premier Bob Carr writes……Read the cover story 30 years ago published in the Bulletin, August 1978.

Employers are taking advantage of restrictions on union entry to cut rights at work

Australian Council of Trade Unions

MEDIA RELEASE

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.

In the latest case, a union meeting at a Brisbane printing factory was forced to be held in an open-air car park adjacent to a loading dock under the unblinking eye of a surveillance camera.Not surprisingly, only one worker braved the onerous restrictions to meet with two union organisers.Unions are calling for an overhaul of the right to entry rules established under Work Choices.

Work Choices grants unprecedented powers to bosses to determine where and when union meetings can be held, and even what route union officials can take through a building.“It is every worker’s democratic right to be represented by a union, and to meet with union organisers in their workplace,” says ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.

“But Work Choices has imposed immense barriers between workers and their unions which employers have taken advantage of to prevent proper representation.“Labor’s pledge to scrap Work Choices and restore rights to collective bargaining should also include strengthening the rights to entry to workplaces for union officials.”

In the case of Geon Australia, officials from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union gave 24 hours notice to management requesting the right to hold a lunch time meeting in the staff meal of its Geebung plant to conduct an information session on changes to Work Choices.

Management was initially evasive about the time that lunch breaks were held, and when two union organisers arrived at 12pm insisted that the meeting would have to be held outside in the car park/loading zone rather than the meal room. The union officials expressed their concerns that the location for the meeting was dangerous and inappropriate, but management refused to budge.

The Geon Australia case is not unique. Last month, male and female workers at a Melbourne carpet factory were forced by their employer to hold two union meetings in the women’s toilet area.“Unions do not expect unfettered access to a work site, but employers should treat their workforce with some respect,” Mr Lawrence says. “The balance under Work Choices has tipped too far in favour of employers, and this has diminished rights at work.

“We will be highlighting this issue during meetings with the federal government as it prepares its legislation to abolish Work Choices.”

Media Contact: Mark Phillips ph (03) 8676 7266 or 0422 009 011; email mphillips@actu.asn.au

Gillard Acting Out of Touch Already

NATIONAL UNION OF WORKERS NSW BRANCH

MEDIA RELEASE APRIL 23 2008

National Union Of Workers (NUW) State Secretary Derrick Belan has said that Julia Gillard is acting as though she is already out of touch with working Australians. This follows the Deputy PM’s comments that Union picnic days will be considered illegal strike action in a shake-up of workplace laws.

“I am amazed that Julia Gillard would advocate for the banning of Union members’ picnic days. With only a few months in office, it seems that the Rudd Labor government has forgotten that it was working Australians who handed them victory at the last Federal election”, Derrick Belan said.

The NUW chief said that not a word of this plan was mentioned in the lead up to last years Federal Election.

“Julia Gillard visited many workplaces in 2007 seeking support from workers. Why didn’t she mention her plan to ban Union picnic days then? Why didn’t she have the courage to say then, ‘we want your votes and by the way we plan to take away your picnic days’. This plan betrays the trust given to the Rudd government by Australian working families.

“Ms. Gillard made a lot of political capital by accepting invitations to visit unionised worksites. She spoke a lot about being the workers’ friend yet she turns around and deceives Australian working families. It is something we expect from the Liberals!” Mr. Belan said.

Derrick Belan said that unions fought for their members’ picnic days 50 years ago and they will do it again if necessary.

“Another thing Ms. Gillard should know. We didn’t bow to John Howard and we have no intention of bowing to her, let me make that very clear.

“To deem a Union members’ picnic day as ‘illegal strike action’ is insulting as well as being highly deceptive”, Derrick Belan said.

Derrick Belan is calling upon the ACTU to publicly reject the plan to ban Union picnic days.

“It is the role of the ACTU to advocate on behalf of unions and their members. Therefore, I ask Sharon Burrow and Jeff Lawrence to condemn this hair-brain scheme and to remind our new Labor government who got them elected in the first place”, Derrick Belan concluded.

For further comment call Mark Ptolemy 0414 99 38 73

Mark Ptolemy
Media Officer
National Union of Workers (NSW Branch)
3-5 Bridge Street
Granville NSW 2142
ph 9682 4622
fax 9897 3713
mobile – 0414 99 38 73
email – mptolemy@nuw.com.au