New Federal Work Laws started July 1, 2009
Workers now have a right to be active unionists. You cannot be harmed for being a member of the AWU, exercising your rights at work, recruiting or helping your workmates.
You cannot be disadvantaged for being union active
You cannot be disadvantaged at work in any way for your union activity.You are protected if you:
- Ask your union to visit your workplace
- Volunteer to be a delegate
- Ask your workmates to join the AWU
- Want to negotiate an enterprise Agreement (including voting in a ballot or taking protected industrial action)
- Dispute conditions at work
- Make a complaint to the AWU,WorkSafe or any government authority.
Let us know if you want to organise a union meeting at your workplace
The AWU can visit your workplace to talk to employees during breaks. Please let us know if you want to organise a meeting at your site.
The boss must bargain in good faith with your union about improved conditions. If 50% of employees want an Enterprise Agreement, the employer must meet with your union and genuinely discuss work conditions.
80% of all employees are now protected from unfair dismissal. If you have been with the company for 6 months (or 12 months for a small business under 15 workers) you cannot be unfairly sacked. You can only be terminated if there is a:
Genuine redundancy (and the employer must first consider redeployment); or Valid reason and you were treated fairly.
Are you ready to negotiated better workplace conditions?
Are you ready to negotiate improved conditions at your worksite? The AWU is your default Bargaining Representative.
- For more information on how the New Fair Work Act effects you, download the AWU's Fair Work Act booklet.
From 1 January 2010 all existing award covered employees are covered by a Modern Award.
The Modern Award will be specific to your employer's industry or your occupation.
- All Modern Awards can be accessed at the Fair Work Australia website www.fwa.gov.au . You can also call your AWU branch for advice about award coverage.
Some terms and conditions in the Modern Award will have changed from your previous award entitlements. Changes will only effect you if your workplace conditions are determined by an award. They will not effect workers whose conditions are governed by an enterprise agreement.
Do the changes come into effect immediately?
No. Transitional provisions in the Modern Awards will ensure that all changes to wages and allowances will be phased in over 5 years. These will operate by phasing in a reduction or increase by 20% each year for the next 5 years.
For example if previously you were entitled to a rate of $20 per hour and the Modern Award now contains an increased rate of $25 per hour, you will not receive the full increase next year.
Instead the increase will be phased in by 20% each year for 5 years. That is on 1 July 2010 the rate will increase to $21 per hour; on 1 July 2011 it will be $22 per hour; the subsequent year $23 per hour and so on.
The new legislation also contains safeguards to prevent a loss in take home pay. If you find that you receive less take home pay as a result of the changes in the Modern Award you may be entitled to seek take home pay orders to restore your loss. The AWU is able to provide you with advice and to assist you in lodging these claims.
If you have any questions regarding which Modern Award covers you or the operation of terms and conditions in the award you should contact your AWU branch for advice.]
- More information about the new rights and protections available at this special ACTU website.
All electoral matter is authorised by Paul Howes, National Secretary