Workers have unions all over the world – how do they operate here in Australia?
Unions in Australia are:
- Legal
- Protected by law
- Independent
- Democratic
- Essential for workers to have a voice
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Legal and protected
Unions are an essential part of Australia’s workplace system
Every worker in Australia has the legal right to join their union.
Your union membership is protected, and if you wish you may keep it private.
However all union members are protected by law – it is illegal for an employer to treat you differently for loudly and proudly proclaiming your union membership!
As a union member you are contributing to Australia’s proud heritage of progress for workplace rights.
Independent
Unions in Australia are not part of the Government.
Your union is independent of both government and private interests. Your union is not owned by anyone – it is controlled by the members of the union.
In order to effectively advocate for our members’ policy interests, unions established the Labor Party in the 1890s. Since then the Labor Party has been a major force in Australian politics.
Your union may advocate for members’ interests inside and outside party politics, including getting a vote on party decisions, but our objective is always the protection of rights at work.
Being union
A union is simply the collective of a group of workers. Union decision-making is democratic.
Each union member gets a say in what their union does and how it operates.
When you join your union, you’re not just joining your colleagues at your workplace. You are joining 1.6 million Australians who choose to stand together for the rights of working people. We take action together across workplaces, industries, states and territories, to defend any union member who has been wronged.
Democratic
Union members elect the leadership of their unions – these union leaders are accountable to you.
Union members also vote on any action taken by the union in a workplace. You decide whether or not to accept a workplace agreement. You decide what action to take if the company is mistreating workers.
“Industrial Action” can include things as simple as wearing a sticker or badge, or as dramatic as going on strike. Only the union members in a workplace know what action is right for them. “Industrial Action” in Australia is protected by law. If you follow the rules of Protected Industrial Action, you cannot be penalised by your employer for standing up for your rights at work.
Protected
An individual employee who speaks up for their rights at work will often be singled-out by the bosses and face negative consequences. But when all the workers stand together in union we are protected and our voice is strong.
Supported
Each member at a worksite votes to elect a workplace “Delegate” or “Shop Steward”. This could be you, or someone who works in the same job or workplace as you who you trust to represent your interests. This person can receive paid training on how to represent you in disputes or wage negotiations with your employer.
A group of workers working in the same area may also elect a “Health and Safety Representative” (HSR), who may receive paid training in protecting your health and safety at work.
Being a union delegate or Health and Safety Representative is a rewarding, challenging position. Delegates are diamonds.
We are union
We stand united as part of a great movement of workers.
Our diversity is our strength.
Our solidarity is our power.
We respect and take care of each other.
Prejudice and discrimination – including misogyny, racism, homophobia and all other hatreds have no place in our movement.
We rise together.
Today and every day we commit ourselves to achieving justice, fairness, equality and dignity for all workers.
Solidarity forever.