Over 100 years of helping

Unions have over 100 years of helping make life better for Australian workers and their families.

Unions work hard to make sure that employers and governments treat workers fairly. We’ve helped deliver the 8 hour working day. Weekends. Four weeks of paid annual leave. Safer workplaces. Compensation for injuries. Fair pay. Maternity leave. Superannuation. And much more.

These things have made life better for workers and their families. But they are constantly under threat. In recent years, unions have had to campaign to defend workers’ rights, especially against WorkChoices.

And thanks to unions, your rights haven’t just been defended, they’ve been extended.
From July 1, 2009:

• All workers now have protection against unfair dismissal.
• A new 10 point safety net and modernised awards now guarantee workers’ pay and conditions.
• Workers now have a legislated right to bargain for a collective agreement.
• There’s now a new, stronger, independent umpire to assist with bargaining, help settle disputes and set minimum wages.
• Workers can no longer lose pay through AWA individual contracts – they’ve been banned.
• The right to belong to or be represented by a union is now enshrined in law and cannot be eroded.

There’s still much more to do. Women still aren’t treated or paid equally in the workplace. Safety standards still need to be improved. Jobs still need to be protected. And we all need to help ensure the environment is protected. Unions are leading the way in all these challenges.

By being a member of a union, you help make the voice of workers heard when decisions are made. And the more union members there are, the louder our voice can be. Together we can make a difference. Together we are working for a better life. Join a union today.