November 2009
Manufacturing Alliance meets with Tassie workers
Australia's two largest blue collar unions are in Tasmania today as part of a national campaign to secure manufacturing jobs for the future.
AWU's Paul Howes re-elected as ACTU VP
This week the ACTU Executive re-elected the AWU National Secretary Paul Howes as an ACTU Vice President.
AWU wants CPRS laws passed this week to protect jobs and the environment
The Federal Government's proposed CPRS legislation will be good for the economy and good for the Australian environment, The Australian Workers' Union, said today.
New book on Tasmanian Premier, and former AWU organiser, to be launched
Electric Eric is a new biography on the highly respected Tasmanian Premier, Eric Reece, to be launched later this week in Hobart.
White Ribbon Day - campaign to eliminate violence against women
The AWU is urging all members to get behind White Ribbon Day on 25 November - an international campaign for the elimination of Violence Against Women.
Job security is number one issue for workers: unions call for inquiry into greater protections
Job security is the number one issue for working Australians and their families and the Federal Government should examine the need for tougher regulations on businesses, say unions.
Let's get good Aussie steel re-building Australia's economy
If Australian steel is good enough to use on projects across the globe - then we should be ensuring the big new Australian infrastructure projects now coming on line also use our steel, the Australian Workers' Union said today.
Job fears and higher workloads have led to an epidemic of unpaid overtime
An epidemic of unpaid overtime is costing hundreds of thousands of Australians time with their families and has worsened during the economic downturn, say unions.
Are you on Twitter?
Are you one of the many AWU members now using Twitter to stay in touch with friends and family - and to keep up with breaking news?
Support our Canadian brothers and sisters on strike for 4 months!
Our biggest ally in North America has reached out to Australian Workers' Union members asking for our help to win a strike in Canada which has now stretched out for 4 months.
Rising unemployment means Government stimulus spending must not be wound back, says ACTU
The latest employment data released today shows that every month thousands of Australians are still losing their jobs as a result of the Global Financial Crisis, and the Australian economy is still struggling, say unions.
Let's stay Stronger Together our Treasurer tells AWU
Australia has earned the respect and regard of the global community for how our people have responded to the biggest challenge to the living standards of working people around the world, since the Great Depression.
New AWU-Auspoll tracking survey: taxpayers want dollars backing Aussie jobs
Australian workers want the Rudd Labor Government to keep spending in support of job creation, a tracking survey conducted by The Australian Workers' Union has shown.
October 2009
National roundtable eyes future for manufacturing
A national manufacturing roundtable in Canberra has seen key company, government and union leaders come together to map out a future for Australian manufacturing.
Time is running out for stronger health and safety laws: workers rally for changes
Thousands of workers will hold protest meetings in Sydney and Melbourne today to push for stronger workplace health and safety laws so that fewer workers are injured or killed.
Unions join with business and government to find industry based solutions and promote growth in Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Alliance will today meet with business and government leaders to discuss growth and productivity strategies in the manufacturing sector, seeking tripartite solutions to promote innovation and boost jobs on Australian soil.
Manufacturing Alliance calls on business, government to help workers boost productivity
Australia's two largest manufacturing unions called on business and government today to work with unions and their members to ensure Australian manufacturing experiences strong growth following the global financial crisis (GFC).
Union statement in support of the humane treatment of asylum seekers
Leaders of Australian unions meeting in Canberra today issued the following statement in support of asylum seekers:
Union application for Dreamworld industrial action
The Australian Workers' Union Queensland Branch has made an application to Fair Work Australia for protected industrial action on behalf of more than 600 workers at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
Union seeks urgent talks on support for National Park fires frontline
The Australian Workers' Union will be seeking urgent talks with the Queensland Government after its members reported poor resourcing and little support as they battled fires in National Parks, including around Rockhampton.
Resort owner to meet with Premier, while staff remain unpaid
Whitsunday tourist resort workers' pay woes are continuing despite receiving assurances last month from Laguna resort owner David Marriner that wages would be paid on time, the Queensland branch of the Australian Workers' Union said.
Union praises fire control efforts in Queensland National Parks
The Australian Workers' Union has praised the on-going efforts of rangers, rural and urban firefighters for their tireless efforts to control fires in Queensland National Parks.
AWU welcomes new backing for West Coast miners out of work
The Australian Workers' Union Tasmania branch has welcomed the Tasmanian Government's support for the more than 180 Mt Lyell miners who were put of work in August - because of a mudslide which shut down the Queenstown mine.
TULIP launches Palestine-Israel Solidarity Fund
London, UK - At the inaugural Executive meeting of Trade Unions Linking Israel and Palestine (TULIP) on Monday 12th October 2009, the trade union leaders from three continents forming the Executive, decided to launch a TULIP Solidarity Fund.
Tassie miners receive $600,000 in assistance
The Australian Workers' Union has welcomed the announcement today by Vedanta and Copper Mines of Tasmania to put together an assistance package to help mine workers through the current stand-down period.
High lead levels on Westgate Bridge need new safety controls
Safety controls on the Westgate Bridge Strengthening Project must be improved after unacceptably high levels of lead among workers stopped work on part of the project, the AWU Victorian Branch said today.
AWU wants re-think on BHP accessing prison labour
At a time when South Australia has a rising unemployment rate - and youth unemployment stands at 17 per cent - hugely profitable companies like BHP should not be getting an opportunity to use prison labour at their Olympic Dam site, the Australian Worker's Union said today.
Bushfire response too little, too late
The Victorian Government's new bushfire response plan fails to provide urgently needed resources to improve the State's fire readiness in public forests, the Australian Workers' Union Victorian Branch said today.
Reserve Bank has jumped the gun by raising interest rates now: unions
Today's decision by the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates will make life harder for working families before concrete evidence that employment has begun to recover, say unions.
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA assisting working families in our region
On 30 September Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa were hit by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami, leaving an estimated 150 dead and 1,000 homes destroyed. Last week, the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Ketsana, leaving 3,000 people dead and 380,000 homeless. And now we read of the terrible earthquakes in nearby Indonesia.
Dreamworld's latest ride - an industrial relations rollercoaster
The Australian Workers' Union has asked Fair Work Australia for assistance in a dispute with Dreamworld over a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
September 2009
Manufacturing Alliance campaign to promote jobs in SA
The heads of Australia's biggest blue-collar unions are in South Australia today meeting workers at the ASC, a
submarine and ship building company, as part of the two unions' Manufacturing Alliance jobs campaign
Manufacturing Alliance campaign to promote jobs in Kwinana
The heads of Australia's biggest blue-collar unions are in Kwinana, Western Australia today to address workers
at the Alcoa refinery, as part of the two unions' Manufacturing Alliance jobs campaign.
AWU National Secretary and delegation of Mt Lyell workers to meet with Premier Bartlett this morning
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes will lead a delegation of Mt Lyell workers to meet with Tasmanian Premier Bartlett about their predicament, having spent a month stood down while their workplace is remediated following a mudslide.
Campaign geared up to save Tasmanian Mining community of Queenstown
The union representing stood down workers at Mt Lyell mine in Queenstown, Tasmania is gearing up for a national campaign in support of its members affected by the temporary closure of the mine
AWU calls for urgent disaster relief for Mt Lyell mine workers
The union representing stood down workers at Mt Lyell mine in Queenstown is calling tonight for immediate Government assistance for the hundreds of workers affected by the temporary closure of the mine.
AWU calls for "prioritsed removal" of all asbestos-containing materials from Australia by 2030
Australian Workers' Union National Secretary Paul Howes will today call for the creation of a federal National Asbestos Taskforce to manage the prioritised recall of all asbestos containing materials in all forms from the nation.
Queensland wage decision secure suppor services for people with a disability
A landmark decision by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to increase wages by up to 27% or more than $160 per week for disability support workers will provide more safe and secure services for Queenslanders with a disability, the Australian Workers' Union said today.
Hundreds of job cuts to hit Melbourne's West
Melbourne's western suburbs will be hard hit by hundreds more job losses with the closure of Huntsman Chemicals' plant in West Footscray.
August 2009
Bundaberg Sugar mills re-open with win for workers and their families
Bundaberg sugar workers will return to duties from midday today (Saturday, 29 August) after their employer agreed to not target their leave entitlements.
Pace Cars launch Slow Down @ Road Works campaign
The AWU has successfully tested the use of 'Pace Cars' to cut the level of speeding at road works, at the start of a campaign to prevent deaths and injuries to road workers.
AWU welcomes horticulture industry compliance program
The Australian Workers Union today welcomed the establishment of a compliance program for the horticultural industry, aimed at ensuring a level playing field for the industries employers and compliance with the law in terms of pay and conditions for workers.
Budaberg Sugar workers urge mills to re-open; Union sets up defence fund for their families
Bundaberg Sugar workers have called on its foreign-owned employer to drop plans to cut their leave entitlements once and for all and let them get back to work.
Bundaberg Sugar shuts down sugar industry and costs Queensland millions
Foreign-owned Bundaberg Sugar's decision to lock out workers at its two mills in Bundaberg will effectively shut down the local sugar industry for six days and potentaially cost the Queensland economy millions
Bloody-minded Bundaberg Sugar canes workers and growers
The Australian Wrokers' Unoin has urged foreign-owned Bundaberg Sugar to drfop its continued attack on worker entitlement, pointing to the potential impacts on other parts of the industry, including growers.
QLD Sugar workers stop work for 24 hours and ban overtime
Bundaberg Sugar industry workers will hold a 24 - hour strike next week after the foreign owned mill owner continued to push forward with its paln to take leave entitlements from staff.
AWU says gas & nuclear central to Australia's energy security and can develop nation as an energy superpower
Australian Workers' Union National Secretary Paul Howes has strongly endorsed the development of a domestic nuclear energy program for Australia, saying it is vital for the nation's future energy security and an economic and environmental necessity.
Forest Firefighters disappointed by Bushfire Royal Commission report
The AWU, representing Victorian Government Forest Firefighters' is disappointed by the Interim Report released today by the Bushfires Royal Commission, and called on the State Government to urgently improve fire prevention measures.
Victoria must boost local manufacturing
The Victorian Government should urgently step up measures to secure local manufacturing jobs in response the global financial crisis and emerging international competition, the Manufacturing Alliance said today.
AWU wins 1st ruling on workers' majority right to collective bargaining
The AWU Victorian Branch has won Australia's first legal ruling confirming that a majority of workers want to bargain collectively with their employer in a test case on the new Fair Work laws.
WA needs more, better paid, forest firefighters; Bushfire season around corner
The bushfire season in Western Australia starts in eight weeks time; And there is real cause for concern that the number of forest fighter numbers will be down this season, the union representing WA's forest firefighters said today.
AWU backs mining royalty plan to fund regional services
The Tasmanian Government should return some of the West Coast mining wealth to the region to help fund local health services, the Tasmanian AWU Secretary, Ian Wakefield says.
July 2009
Unions supporting Palestine/Israel peace process
Trade unionists must show they can create practical examples of solidarity between Israelis and Palestinians, the president of the Australian Council of Trades Unions, Sharan Burrow, told a labour movement meeting in Sydney this week.
New Steel Industry Innovation Council a win for Australian jobs
The Manufacturing Alliance strongly supports today's announcement by Minister Kim Carr that a Steel Industry Innovation Council will be established to ensure access to both public and private sector projects.
Manufacturing Alliance unions welcome new Buy Australian initiatives
Manufacturing workers will welcome today's Federal Government Buy Australian announcements because they provides assurances that Australian manufacturing will get better access to government and private sector opportunities, the leaders of the Manufacturing Alliance unions said today.
New polling shows Australians support our manufacturing industry
The Manufacturing Alliance today released polling that revealed Australians would like to see a stronger Government approach to local content and procurement.
New alliance to protect and promote Australia's manufacturing industry
Australia's two largest Blue Collar Unions are in Canberra today to launch an Alliance to address the jobs crisis in the manufacturing industry and to ensure that Australia remains a country that makes things.
Protecting family life: Ballot for Bundaberg Sugar workers plan for industrial action
Fair Work Australia ordered today for a ballot of Bundaberg Sugar workers on their plans to take industrial action to protect their leave entitlements.
Workers betrayed in Ballarat mine sale
More than 100 workers due to lose their jobs at Lihir Gold's Ballarat mine have been betrayed by the company's decision to abandon the project, the Australian Workers Union said today.
Union application for sugar industrial action to be heard tomorrow
The Australian Workers' Union's application to the newly formed Fair Work Australia for protected industrial action on behalf of more than 250 sugar industry workers in Bundaberg will be heard tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 July).
Union offers support to improve Queensland traffic controller safety and conditions
The Australian Workers Union has welcomed the Queensland Government decision to form a task force to implement recommendations of a report into traffic controller safety and conditions.
A case of make or we break
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes and AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver joint opinion piece written for The Australian on 24 July 2009.
Rules change application AWU
The AWU has applied to alter our Union Rules to formally remove the WA Mining Division and in its place constitute an Alcoa Pinjarra Sub-Branch.
Union to seek protected industrial action on behalf of Qld sugar workers
The Australian Workers Union will make an application to the newly formed Fair Work Australia tomorrow (Monday, 20 July) for protected industrial action on behalf of more than 250 sugar industry workers in Bundaberg.
Tasmanians continue campaign to rid state of asbestos
The Tasmanian branch of The Australian Workers Union has launched its new information brochure on the campaign for the Prioritised Removal of Asbestos from the State of Tasmania.
Penny-pinching leaves National Parks as Qld fire season's weak link
Queensland's preparedness for the fire season was being undermined by bureaucratic penny-pinching on the management of the State's National Parks.
Steelworkers everywhere fight for jobs
More than 5000 workers and their families marched through a north of England steel community town this weekend.
Working Australians to suffer as WorkChoices-era pay commission saves its worst for last
Today's decision by the soon-to-be-scrapped Fair Pay Commission is another kick in the guts for working Australians from the Liberals' WorkChoices, say unions.
Pope Benedict XVI: Unions critical to improving global economy
Pope Benedict XVI has called for a bigger role for trade unions as part of the solution to end the global financial crisis.
Who will save Herbie the Possum after Miss Jones?
Queensland AWU members cheered Minister Kate Jones' commitment today to keeping the Herbie the Possum emblem at a media conference this afternoon, responding to AWU concerns.
Rangers want to protect Herbie the Possum
Park rangers are trying to keep the Herbie the Possum symbol as part of their negotiations for a new AWU wages deal with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
Former steelworks workers can claim if terminally ill
New South Wales has the largest number of new asbestos-related cases reported each year in Australia.
Invest in bushfire preparations now: AWU
Significant new investment in planning and preparation for bushfires is now overdue and Victoria is unlikely to meet recommended backburning targets ahead of the next fire season, according to the union representing Government Forest Firefighters.
AWU welcomes Government changes to Employee Share Schemes
The Rudd government has reversed key elements of its crackdown on employee share schemes following strong union lobbying about Federal Budget measures which hurt many AWU members.
Time to celebrate new IR laws - stronger rights and protections for Australian workers
A message to all AWU members from National Secretary Paul Howes.
June 2009
Rig Workers Say NO to Second Rate Agreement
An employer has failed to by pass the union and introduce a sub standard non union agreement to cover rig workers.
AWU backs Vic Bushfire class action
More than 700 people affected by the Black Saturday bushfire in the Kinglake area, Victoria, have registered as members of a class action against power company SP Ausnet.
Iran Ambasador refuses to meet union protest delegation
The Australian Workers Union faxed a protest letter to the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ambassador to Australia, Ambassador Mahmoud Movahhedi, after he refused today to meet a union delegation.
Tongan workers get union backing to win decency
A group of Tongan fruit pickers, who were left unemployed in northern Victoria by the Timbercorp collapse, have secured better jobs after an AWU campaign to properly enforce the Pacific Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme.
Global Day of Solidarity with Iranian workers on June 26
On Friday, June 26, a global day of solidarity will be held, calling for justice for Iranian workers. Four global labour organisations, representing more than 170 million workers, are joining forces to fight for the release of Iranian trade unionists who have been jailed for practicing their democratic rights to form trade unions.
Union welcomes WorkCover super payments
Victoria's Brumby Government reforms to pay superannuation contributions for injured workers and to increase WorkCover payments by 5% are welcome improvements, AWU Victorian Branch Secretary Melhem said today.
Australian unions join world-wide protest demanding union rights for Iranian workers
Four global union organisations representing over 170 million workers have called a worldwide action day on June 26 to demand justice for Iranian workers.
Unions welcome changes to employee share ownership
The AWU has joined with three other unions to welcome the proposed Government changes to employee share ownership schemes (ESOPs) in a submission to the Treasury today.
Queenslanders give thumbs up to AWU icon
The people of Queensland have spoken and the historical significance of the Tree of Knowledge has been assured.
AWU Tasmania introduces new online asbestos register
The Australian Workers Union has taken another step in helping people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Union welcomes Council commonsense on water and sewerage
The Rockhampton Regional Council has heeded warnings of the ratepayers and the Australian Workers Union by abandoning plans to corporatise Fitzroy River Water.
Rio Tinto top execs and board members should do honourable thing and quit
Rio Tinto's decision to walk away from the deal with Chinalco shows finally that the incompetent board and managers of Rio Tinto have decided , finally, on a reality check, AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, said.
May 2009
AWU Qld welcomes Special Pandemic Leave as a necessary precaution
The Australian Workers Union has welcomed the Queensland Government decision to provide for Special Pandemic Leave for State public servants as a necessary precaution amid the widening H1N1 influenza.
Record pay win after 25-day picket
AWU members at Fosters Plastics, in outer Melbourne, are celebrating their biggest-ever pay rise after a 25-day picket outside the company's Glenroy factory.
Tasmanian cement workers asked to participate in health screening program
The Australian Workers Union is urging people to take up the offer of a free health screening program if they ever worked at the Goliath Portland Cement Company in Railton, Tasmania.
AWU backs indigenous Australians into LNG jobs
The powerful West Australian Kimberley Land Council this week signed an in-principle agreement with five trade unions to campaign for Aboriginal people to be employed on the proposed LNG facility in far north-western Australia.
Union tells Royal Commission 1500 extra Victorian Bush Firefighters needed
Victoria needs around 1500 extra full-time Forest Firefighters to meet the growing bushfire threat, The Australian Workers Union will tell the Bushfires Royal Commission.
AWU welcomes paid parental leave introduction
Unions have welcomed the historic introduction of a universal, government-funded paid maternity leave scheme covering the majority of Australian women and their families.
AWU says PM BlueScope Steel decision a proactive plan saving Australian steel jobs
The AWU welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Rudd, during a visit to the Illawarra, that BlueScope Steel has won a $20 million contract to supply steel for three new Navy destroyers.
Qantas unions jobs win brings work back on-shore
The AWU welcomes the move by Qantas to move maintenance work back from The Philippines to Brisbane; securing the jobs of between 400 and 500 Queenslanders.
AWU welcomes CPRS decision as positive
The AWU is heartened by the widespread support the Rudd Government has received - from unions, environmental groups and business - for the new targets for reducing emissions.
Resource union wants key Senate committee to fight foreign investment which threatens strategic industries
All foreign investments by state-owned companies should be critically scrutinised, to protect our national interest, the AWU, said today.
When the shock hits
Con Cosmas, a Crew Leader for Victorian Forest Firefighters, thought he was coping pretty well with the horrors he had seen during 18-hour shifts fighting the blazes of Black Saturday.
Unions move to overturn Israel boycott
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes, Community Union (UK) General Secretary Michael Leahy and Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (USA) President Stuart Appelbaum joint opinion piece written for The Australian on 21 May 2009.
April 2009
AWU calls on Rudd Gvt to stick to ALP policy to scrap ABCC
The Australian Workers' Union today demanded that the Rudd Government fully implement ALP policy to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, saying the death toll in the construction industry had nearly doubled since the introduction of the ABCC's discriminatory laws.
AWU wants tough new anti-dumping regs to protect Australian Steel
The AWU is calling on Labor MPs, Senators and Labor Premiers to get actively behind the AWU New Steel Plan and has put a priority on stopping steel being dumped on the Australian market, at unfair prices.
Royal Commission into Victorian bushfires to hear from AWU forest firefighters
The AWU is preparing to appear before the Royal Commission into Victorian bushfires to explain the crucial and unacknowledged role that forest firefighters play in protecting the community.
Vote for a union icon - as a symbol of Queensland
Queenslanders are being invited to mark 150th anniversary of the formal separation from New South Wales this year by voting for home grown icons.
Steel union wants ship of state to help guide industry through choppy waters
Steel union research suggests that up to 500,000 Australian jobs could be lost if we stand by and allow the iron and steel industry to completely collapse.
Trade union membership undergoing a resurgence
Unions are lifting their membership numbers in tough economic times according to new official government data issued today.
Smart national leadership needed now to save Port Kembla steel furnaces
Steel plant furnaces across the globe are shutting down and many may well not re-open, after the global economic crisis is over, the Australian steel union warned today.
Incompetence and ineptitude at Rio hits 700 Queensland workers
The Australian Workers Union has slammed the Rio Tinto Board for once again demonstrating their incompetent decision-making processes with the retrenchment of nearly 700 Queensland workers.
Steel Union wants 21st Century Steel Plan to save key Australian regions
The Australian Workers Union will begin a national consultation with Steelworkers on Monday ahead of the launch of a new 21st Century Steel Plan to save the industry during its worse ever crisis.
Unjustified attack on WA Forest Firefighters pay must be challenged
The new WA Government public sector wages policy is an unjustified and inflexible step backwards for many working people, according to the WA Secretary of The Australian Workers Union, Stephen Price.
Construction workers will continue to be discriminated against under proposed new laws
Construction workers will have fewer rights than other employees and will continue to be discriminated against if the recommendations of the Wilcox Inquiry are adopted, unions say.
Rig workers concerned after 8 killed in helicopter crash
The MUA-AWU Offshore Alliance has begun an information consultation program with members after another helicopter has crashed into the North Sea while carrying rigs workers to shore.
Price hikes likely if Rockhampton water corporatisation goes ahead union warns
Local council workers have slammed plans by Rockhampton Regional Council to corporatise water and sewerage facilities.
AWU says BHP safety will only be won when workers win a real voice in their workplaces
The Australian Workers Union is amazed at the spin-doctoring the WA Mines Minister, Norman Moore, has been able to get away with, claiming unprecedented steps to issue stop-work notices, and hyping up the possibility of legal action.
Infrastructure projects should Buy Australian
The Australian Workers Union welcomes the Victorian Government decision to proceed with the Frankston bypass, and calls on the Government to ensure Australian steel and cement are used in the $750 million road project.
Union fighter for truth and decency fondly remembered at Memorial Service
The Tribal Elder who kept Australia's labour movement at the centre of our national culture, Laurie Short, was remembered fondly at an unusual State Memorial Service today in the historic Sydney Trades Hall.
March 2009
Union leader challenges Brumby's new wage policy
The new Victorian Government public sector wages policy, announced today, was an unjustified and inflexible step backwards for many working people, according to the Victorian Secretary of The Australian Workers Union, Cesar Melhem.
State Memorial Service for former FIA leader, the Late Laurie Short AO, OBE
The NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced today that a State Memorial Service will be held for Mr Laurie Short.
Laurie Short iconic union leader who kept the Labor Party together
One of the great figures of the Australian labour movement, Laurie Short, the Secretary of the Federated Ironworkers Association from 1951 to 1982, passed away, aged 93 on Tuesday afternoon in Sydney.
State Gvt cannot kick the habit of BHP dollars: pathetic response to worker deaths
The Australian Workers Union has attacked as pathetic the response of both BHP Billiton and the WA Minister for Mines, Norman Moore, to the fifth fatality in eight months at a BHP mine site.
Garnaut U-turn a mad lashing out
Professor Garnaut seems to have done a complete U-turn on compensation as part of an Australian emissions-trading scheme.
WA politicians holding up urgent Mining Advisory Committee meeting
The AWU is angry that the West Australian Mining Industry Advisory Committee will not meet till, at the earliest, May to look at the crisis in the local industry.
WA Govt must help fearful mine workers win real safety standards
The AWU has called for all BHP operations within WA to be closed, and an independent audit conducted throughout their entire operation, after another Pilbara worker death.
Victorian Forest Firefighters consider industrial action
Hundreds of Victorian Forest Firefighters are considering taking industrial action in support of their claim to be paid on the same basis as other Firefighters in the state, The Australian Workers Union said today.
State needs asbestos program to create jobs and do something for our environment
The Australian Workers Union has called on the Tasmanian government to adopt an aggressive asbestos removal strategy for all workplaces - especially school classrooms.
AWU sends condolences to Canadian oil worker union
Offshore oil workers in Canada are reeling after a helicopter crashed on its way out to an oil platform on the Grand Banks about 300 kilometres off the Canadian province of Newfoundland.
Western Sydney company points the bone at good unionists
A major aluminum products company in Western Sydney is trying to silence the union voice in their workplace, by sacking the Australian Workers Union delegate, and about half its workforce .
Australians want new IR laws passed now to protect workers in economic downturn: new poll
A new national poll shows there is overwhelming public support for the immediate introduction of new industrial relations laws that boost rights and legal protections for working Australians during the economic downturn.
Union pushes for action, finally, on Beaconsfield
The Australian Workers Union is moving quickly to get action on the Beaconsfield Mine Coronial Inquest findings, handed down last week.
Trade union badge collectors of the world unite
A new social networking site for trade unionists worldwide has been lanched.
Steel is green as the wind
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes and Community Union (UK) General Secretary Michael Leahy joint opinion piece written for The Australian on 25 March 2009.
February 2009
ACTU Indigenous Workers Survey: Be heard by 15 April
The ACTU has developed the ACTU Indigenous Workers Survey to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers the opportunity to voice their opinions and values about their working lives.
Rio's China gambit a bad move
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes opinion piece written for The Australian on 25 February 2009.
Paul Howes on Q and A
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes appeared on ABC TV's Q and A program on 20 February 2009.
Verdict on Beaconsfield this Thursday
The coroner investigating the death of Beaconsfield miner Larry Knight will deliver his findings on Thursday, almost three years after the disaster.
Asbestos study: A joint Cement Australia and AWU project commences
The first stage of a detailed Cement Australia and AWU joint asbestos project has commenced in Tasmania.
Mine unions call for a national debate on minerals export as foreign sovereign capital looks at our resources
The AWU and the CFMEU are jointly calling for a revitalised national debate on the use of export licenses which were abolished in the 1990s.
AWU gives cash support to members caught up in Victorian bushfire tragedy
Up to 20 AWU members and their families have lost their homes and possessions during the Victorian Bushfires and are now receiving support from the AWU.
AWU gets international support for Victorian bushfire victims
Unions from across the globe have sent financial support and messages of solidarity to AWU members in Victoria caught up in the horrendous bushfires which have made world-wide news.
AWU members on the frontline of Victorian bushfire tragedy
More than 600 Australian Workers Union members, frontline bushfire fighters, were out in force over the weekend trying to protect Victorian communities in the face of the worst bushfires in the history of that state.
Growing the union to deliver social justice in the workplace
On the first day of the AWU 2009 National Conference delegates first turned to the issue of how we best adopt a strategic approach to growing our union.
Israeli trade union leader speaks to AWU National Conference
The Australian Workers' Union supports the growth of co-operative projects between unions in Israel and Palestine, to build trust and confidence between all parties, as part of the peace-building process.
Julia Gillard tells AWU new laws will end anti-trade union bigotry
The constructive, genuine and professional manner that the AWU went into the negotiations with the Federal Government over the introduction of the Fair Work Bill was praised by the Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, at the Stronger Together national conference.
Unions made Australia: Cardinal George Pell
The leading voice of the Catholic community in Australia told the AWU national conference that unions have a significant role to play in defending and creating jobs in the current economic crisis.
ACTU lends support to AWU locally-made campaign
The ACTU Secretary, Jeff Lawrence, came out in strong support of the AWU call for special protection during the global crisis to support local steel and aluminium companies battling cheaper imports.
Employers getting taxpayer support for the CPRS cannot demand pay cuts from their workforce
The Federal Government should tell corporations who receive Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme support that they cannot also demand pay cuts from their workforce while getting taxpayer support, the Australian Workers Union conference was told today.
His Eminence Cardinal George Pell at AWU National Conference
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, His Eminence Cardinal George Pell will be the key note speaker at the AWU national conference tomorrow ( Wednesday February 4, 2009).
Qld Premier Bligh at AWU National Conference
Other key conference events: Business Council of Australia President speaking, and major new position paper on Climate Change to be adopted by conference
AWU says Government must step outside the box to find job solutions
Australia's biggest blue-collar union has today issued a menu of ideas for the Federal Government to consider to secure good union jobs in the face of the global financial crisis.
AWU lobbies Fed Opposition to adopt bi-partisan Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme stance
The Australian Workers' Union has offered to work with both the Rudd Government and the Turnbull Coalition to find ways to develop early bi-partisan agreement on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
January 2009
AWU national leadership re-elected
The national leadership team of the Australian Workers' Union - the National Secretary, Paul Howes; the National President, Bill Ludwig; and Assistant National Secretary, Ben Swan, have been re-elected, unopposed for a four year term.
Jobs - the key debate at AWU National Conference next week
Australia's oldest union, and our biggest blue collar union, will hold its National Conference next week in Queensland - at the same time Parliament returns to Canberra.
Time for action on asbestos
Unions are calling on the Rudd Government to hold a national inquiry into asbestos and asbestos-related disease.
Qantas unions win management OK for job security talks
To secure the jobs of around 1400 workers, in the face of the global financial crisis, Qantas union members have reached an agreement with Qantas management about planning to keep work in-house .
Big mine union calls for transparency and co-operation to save regional Australia and resource industry jobs
The Federal Government should urgently convene a tri-partite resources meeting to discuss the effect of the global economic downturn on jobs in the mining industry, our biggest mining union said today.
Business leaders, politicians, religious leaders speak at Australian Workers' Union national conference
Australia's oldest union and our biggest blue-collar union will hold its national conference in the first week of February in the Surfers' Paradise Room at Conrad Jupiter's on the Gold Coast.
Urgent information for all AWU Alcoa members
AWU National Secretary, Paul Howes, has asked delegates to circulate a letter to all Alcoa AWU members about media reports suggesting jobs will be shed.
AWU Victoria response to Moonee Valley restructure
Victorian Secretary of the Australian Workers Union Cesar Melhem said the decision by the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) Board to reduce the workforce by one quarter will greatly impact on services to members which cannot be good for the racing community.
Seasons Greetings from the AWU
On behalf of the Officials and Staff of The Australian Workers' Union I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members, delegates and their families the best of the Festive Season and a Happy New Year.
National Secretary: Paul Howes