Wages are falling behind, it is time for work laws to keep up.
It just makes sense.
Workers in unions from across Australia and a range of industries are sharing their stories to show why it is time to update our bargaining system.
“People who allow our governments, and its agencies to communicate with multilingual people, need to know that they [workers] have no stability of employment… they are employed or engaged with multiple parties, so they need to be able to negotiate across the industry. Multilingual people’s entire life is impacted by translators.”
Silvia – Causal and freelance interpreter, NSW
Professionals Australia member
“Multi-employer bargaining would allow both big and small businesses workers to share knowledge and build on it. It would give me more power and support my employer; they’d be supported in their bargaining process too. If smaller employers are seeing how to do things like big businesses would help, even just the consultation process.”
Sinead – Permanent part-time call centre operator, NSW
“With our last EA [Enterprise Agreement] we were told we were going to have our EA terminated and were forced to take a very minimum increase. Wasn’t about negotiating, just mitigating damage because all the laws were in their favour. We have to work much harder to be able to earn enough with the cost of living. The whole industry is even worse than us, there is a race to the bottom around us – makes me very nervous and frustrated – we never know when things are going to get worse.”
Ben – Full-time Airline Cabin Crew, QLD
Transport Workers’ Union member
“There is a place for labour hire, to top up work force – but when you’re 24/7 for years on end how can they justify using labour hire?”
Paul – Electrician, VIC.
Electrical Trades Union member
“Qantas put in an offer but refused to negotiate with their Legacy Crew. Qantas went to go to FWA to terminate agreement and place workers on the award. Legacy crew and Qantas Labour Hire crew all on one agreement. ”
Lisa – Part-time cabin crew, NSW
Flight Attendants Association of Australia member
“We’ve been seeing decreasing apprenticeship ratios and more casual jobs in this industry for the last decade. It’s just gotten significantly worse. The whole industry is like this, not just a once-off….you might be lucky to get another job, but then you’re going through the same cuts process again. What we really need is multi-employer bargaining.”
Christopher – Full-time sheet metal worker, WA
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union member
“Enterprise bargaining system needs to be fairer – I’ve been at the table when there is collective bargaining, and I tell you, it works for wages increasing, I’m proof of that. Our sector is intensely overworked and people are leaving, so we also need to see conditions become better.”
Jo-Anne – Full-time teacher, QLD
Independent Education Union member
“[We want] support to continue working on pay parity for teachers…because it’s hard to have that big loud voice.”
Janene – Full-time pre-school director, NSW
Independent Education Union member
Ben’s story
Chris’s story
Jo-Anne’s story
One voice echoes. Many voices resonate.
As union members, our actions are never for the advancement of the individual alone.
That’s why we act to make changes that benefit everyone.
You. Your coworkers. Your family. Their coworkers.
Union members are building fairer and safer workplaces for today – and tomorrow.