Australia's First Union

Caring for Members Since 1886

The Australian Workers' Union is Australia's oldest Trade Union. It was established in 1886, its birthplace being the Eureka Stockade.
The AWU has a proud history of defending the rights of workers in government instrumentalities, agricultural, mining, manufacturing, processing, timber and a host of other industries.
The AWU is one Australia's largest and strongest Unions.

Unity is Strength

The Union is a group of people with common interests who have joined together to maintain and improve their wages and working conditions.
The chances are that your employer is a member of a union. It may be the Chamber of Commerce and Industry or The Federation of Forest Industries.
Why do they join an association but try to discourage you from doing the same?

Pressure Group

The Union fights for the interest of its members in a variety of ways.
The Union lobbies politicians on industrial health and safety, employment and training issues.
You need a strong voice to ensure that when political decisions are being made, your legitimate interests are taken into account.
The Union will fight for your interests as you would expect your employer or their employer association to fight for them.
Minimum Conditions of Employment Legislation, Health & Safety Legislation, Workers Compensation Legislation have been fought for and gained by the Union Movement.
The Union provides a range of services to members free of charge or at minimal cost.
By becoming a financial member of the AWU you gain the protection and benefits that only a trade union can provide.

You Run the Union

The AWU is a democratic organisation. The Officials of the Union are regularly elected to look after the affairs of the Branch. Through shop stewards and other meetings of members, you get your chance to speak your mind. It is the members who control the Union. The Union official's role is to help workers. With the concerted onslaught by both conservative governments and employers on the working conditions of workers, it is now even more imperative than ever in this nation's history, that workers band together as trade unionists to protect their working conditions.