28,08,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
A Melbourne chef proved she was paid $15,000 less than male colleagues, yet her former employer won’t be held to account. Elena Sabbatini told The Age she “gave pretty much everything” for her job at Peter Rowland Group, an upmarket caterer based in Docklands. Ten...
18,07,23 | Equity, Reconciliation
Our union has joined a coalition of 70 organisations supporting a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The unlikely alliance of unions, schools and universities, not-for-profits, banks, sporting code bodies and corporations...
08,06,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
International research by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found corporate profits have contributed far more to Australia’s drive in inflation through the past year than wage growth or employee costs. According to the report,...
07,06,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
New laws announced by the federal government will make it a criminal offence to exploit migrant workers by coercing them to breach visa conditions or accept exploitative practices. Employers will also be banned from hiring any new visa holders for a period of time if...
04,05,23 | Equity
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) will be held on 17 May 2023. Why IDAHOBIT is important Although there have been some significant wins and milestones for the LGBTQIA+ community in recent years, the...
02,05,23 | Equity, Teachers
The federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, has announced the members of the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) Ministerial Reference Group which will include the IEU. Our union welcomes the opportunity to participate in the Reference Group and play a key...
12,04,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
Almost half Australia’s transport gig economy workers earn less than minimum wage despite working long hours in unsafe conditions. A landmark report released this month by the McKell Institute in conjunction with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) highlights several...
20,03,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
The importance of inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic backgrounds, is the focus of Harmony Week. This year Harmony Week falls between Tuesday, 14 March and Tuesday, 21 March 2023. Tuesday, 21 March is also the...
14,03,23 | Equity, Union win, Workers' rights
Australian unions have welcomed the Labor federal government’s action to expand access to Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks for workers and allow it to be more flexibly shared between new parents. Last week the Senate passed the Paid Parental Leave Amendment...
14,03,23 | Equity, Union win
Last week’s International Working Women’s Day (IWWD) celebrations were an important reminder of the significant changes won by unions to improve the lives of women at work over the last year. IEU Assistant Secretary Nicole Kapernick said that while we know there is...
07,03,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
Today, 8 March is International Women’s Day (IWD) – a global day of celebration that recognises the social, economic and political achievements of women. IWD is also a day of action, as unions continue to fight for equality and a faster rate of change to create a...
09,02,23 | Equity, Workers' rights
Our union welcomes the federal government’s review of discrimination exceptions for faith-based schools. Independent Education Union of Australia Assistant Secretary Brad Hayes said all IEU members have a right to equality and deserve a workplace free from...
01,02,23 | Equity, Union win
New laws to provide 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave came into effect yesterday for workers in businesses with 15 or more employees after unions campaigned and won the reform for workers leaving a violent relationship. For workers in small businesses...
07,12,22 | Equity, Teachers
Recently elected to our union’s Branch Executive as well as taking up the IEU Rep position at her school, Pi Lee is no stranger to advocacy, leadership and making a difference. Described by her year 10 students as “positive, patient, empowering and hardworking”, Pi is...
28,11,22 | Collective bargaining, Equity, Workers' rights
Australian workers can have hope – hope that the decade of policies that have suppressed wages is over thanks to the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill. Hope that this legislation delivers more secure jobs and better pay and make work fairer for women.
28,11,22 | Equity
In passing its Respect@Work Bill into law today (28 November), the federal government has fulfilled its commitment to making workplaces safer for women. The new law means all 55 recommendations of the landmark Respect@Work Report will be implemented, including several...
23,11,22 | Equity, Union win, Workers' rights
Religious discrimination exemptions have been removed from the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Act after new laws were passed by parliament this week. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke welcomed the passing of a suite of amendments which he said will foster...
07,11,22 | Equity, Professional issues
The Queensland government has released an updated and upgraded suite of resources for the delivery of respectful relationships education in Queensland schools, which includes a public online hub for students and families. New and strengthened information on concepts...
28,10,22 | Equity, Union win
Unions have welcomed the Albanese federal government’s commitment to expand access to Paid Parental Leave to 26 weeks for Australian workers. The new scheme is a positive development which will significantly increase the overall amount of leave available while also...
27,10,22 | Equity, Union win
All workers will have access to 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave in a historic move that follows an enduring union campaign. Unions have been campaigning for paid FDV leave for more than a decade. That campaign has seen life-saving paid FDV leave...
14,10,22 | Equity
Religious organisations in the Northern Territory would no longer be permitted to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity under proposed laws introduced into the parliament this week. IEU members heard The move to amend anti-discrimination...
01,09,22 | Equity, Member action, Union win, Workers' rights
Our union’s advocacy has resulted in the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) accepting and upholding an IEU members’ discrimination and sexual harassment complaint, despite it being raised outside the strict 12 month time limitation. IEU-QNT Industrial Services...
31,08,22 | Equity, Workers' rights
On Monday, the typical Australian woman reached an unhappy milestone – the additional days after the financial year they needed to work to earn the same as a man. This year the gap is 60 days, representative of a national gender pay gap of 14.1%. The average male...
30,08,22 | Equity, Jobs Summit
Taking action on gender inequity could create a $111 billion windfall for Australia, according to a new report released by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). In its Delivering Respect For Women At Work report, released ahead of this week’s Jobs Summit, the...
28,07,22 | Equity, Union win
After a decade of unions campaigning for 10 days’ paid family and domestic violence leave, the new federal government has passed legislation to enshrine the right of access for all workers. While successive Coalition governments refused to support this paid...
27,05,22 | Equity, Member action
This year’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) theme of Be Brave. Make Change is a timely one, given Australians have elected a new federal government committed to making change for First Nations Peoples. In addition to committing to implementing the Uluru Statement...
25,05,22 | Equity, Member action
26 May is National Sorry Day, a day to remember and acknowledge the shameful mistreatment of First Nations Peoples and the Stolen Generations who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. 26 May 2022 also marks five years since the Uluru Statement...
24,05,22 | Equity
With the new federal government to change the landscape for workers, our union looks forward to a positive agenda for working women. An agenda for working women includes four key union campaigns to support women’s advancement and empowerment.
17,05,22 | Equity
For those who identify as LGBTQI+, working in faith-based schools often includes a level of fear or distress about the impacts this may have on their working lives. Many report a sense of exhaustion at having to conceal their true selves at work, often over long...
03,05,22 | Equity
A prospective Labor government would take real action on equal pay for working women, it was announced on Labour Day/May Day. Labor’s Fair Pay and Conditions for Working Women policy aims to address inequity in lower-paid, women-dominated industries such as education...
11,04,22 | Equity, Member action
Held between Sunday, 3 July and Sunday, 10 July, NAIDOC Week 2022’s theme of Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! acknowledges First Nations Peoples’ proud history of getting up, standing up and showing up. From the frontier wars and our earliest resistance fighters to our...
11,04,22 | Equity, Member action
Held annually, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) occurs between 27 May and 3 June, dates which mark historically significant milestones for First Nations People and Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision. Be Brave. Make Change....
11,03,22 | Equity, Member action
As Close the Gap Day 2022 on 17 March approaches, our union encourages members to contemplate the persisting gap in outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations Peoples. To mark the Close the Gap Day this year, we encourage IEU Chapters to take proactive and...
08,03,22 | Equity
Today, 8 March, is International Women’s Day (IWD). While it is a day to spotlight women’s diverse voices and acknowledge their successes, it is also a time to reflect on the pervasive gender inequity that continues to impact Australian women. The Australian Council...
02,03,22 | Equity
International Women’s Day (IWD) held each year on 8 March is a day to promote equality for women’s social, political and working rights. The day provides women with an opportunity to join together to discuss issues and celebrate achievements. It is also a day that...
11,02,22 | Equity
The federal government’s flawed Religious Discrimination Bill, which would enable rather than prevent discrimination, has been abandoned at a critical juncture ahead of the upcoming federal election. In its third attempt to follow through on the promised legislation,...
01,02,22 | Equity
Our union has called on Citipointe Christian College to meet its responsibilities under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act and ensure no student at the College is discriminated against on the basis of gender identity or sexuality. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry...
25,11,21 | Equity, Professional issues
On 25 November 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021. This is the third attempt by the Federal government to amend religious discrimination legislation. Do not be misled by the name of this Parliamentary Bill nor the...
23,11,21 | Equity
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 days of action against gender-based violence. Gender-based violence remains endemic with 1 in 3 women experiencing abuse in their lifetime. Together, we can help...
19,11,21 | Equity, Workers' rights
The federal government has missed a landmark opportunity to address workplace harassment following the passage of its watered-down Respect@Work legislation. The legislation formed part of the government’s response to the Human Rights Commission’s 2020 Respect@Work...
19,11,21 | Equity, Industrial advice, Workers' rights
The new Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (the Act) aims to combat the prevalence of sexual harassment in Australia by clarifying and simplifying sexual harassment laws and encouraging meaningful cultural change in workplaces, as...
17,11,21 | Equity, Professional issues, Workers' rights
IEU submission calls for affordable access to childcare; measures to counter the sustained prevalence of discrimination and gendered violence in communities and workplaces; and addressing women’s particular vulnerability to social and economic hardship. IEU-QNT Branch...
03,11,21 | Equity, Workers' rights
Image credit: Nils Versemann / Shutterstock.com A new law requiring Australian voting to show ID on election day is unjustified and could create barriers to voting for some of our most marginalised in the community. IEU Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the federal...
14,09,21 | Equity, Workers' rights
The federal government has missed a landmark opportunity to address workplace harassment following the passage of its watered-down Respect@Work legislation. The legislation formed part of the government’s response to the Human Rights Commission’s 2020 Respect@Work...
24,08,21 | Equity
IEU women activists united online last week (Thursday, 19 August 2021) for our union’s Be BOLD For Change conference. Connecting members from across Queensland and the Northern Territory, the conference was an important opportunity for members to talk, learn and...
21,07,21 | Equity, Workers' rights
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is again calling on the Prime Minister Scott Morrison to act on all 55 recommendations of the 2020 Respect@Work report rather than ignoring key elements which would create safer workplaces for women. More than 18 months...
09,07,21 | Equity
The work and commitment of IEU members to achieve reconciliation and address issues facing our First Nations Peoples has been recognised at the 2021 QCU NAIDOC Awards. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said our union, along with our state sector colleagues at the...
02,07,21 | Equity, Member action
NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from Sunday, 4 July to Sunday, 11 July. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of First Nations peoples...
17,06,21 | Equity, Workers' rights
The federal government will introduce a significant overhaul to Medicare rebates from 1 July and expose Australians to unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs. In the biggest shake-up to Medicare in a decade, more than 900 changes will be made to the Medicare Benefits...
24,05,21 | Equity, Member action
As National Reconciliation Week approaches, our union continues to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation, through campaigning activities and the ongoing work of our Yubbah Action Group. Held annually, National Reconciliation Week occurs between 27 May and 3...
