29,08,23 | Union win, Workers' rights
IEU members at a Queensland Catholic school have been allocated paid time to complete compulsory professional development (PD) after previously being expected to complete it in their personal time. Organiser Mary May said members at the school had, for a number of...
29,08,23 | Union win, Workers' rights
Our union’s advocacy has led to a member being paid out their long service leave (LSL) entitlement upon termination, despite the employer trying to withhold it. Industrial Services Officer Mark Moorhead said recent industrial cases where employers were trying to do...
28,08,23 | Workers' rights
Big businesses are enjoying record profits while ordinary Australians struggle to cope with crippling cost-of-living pressures. This month alone has brought announcements of a $1 billion profit for Coles (up 4.8%), a $1 billion profit for Origin Energy (up 83.5%) and...
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...
11,08,23 | Collective bargaining, Hear Our Voice, Workers' rights
In an Australian first, thousands of Queensland Catholic school employees in over 100 schools are set to lose a full day’s pay for taking a five-minute work stoppage and a range of limited work bans on Tuesday, 15 August 2023. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said...
09,08,23 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Our union’s support has helped a member transition to retirement after their employer gave them incorrect advice. The member was interested in a reduction from five to three working days per week as part of a transition to retirement, as they are entitled to under...
07,08,23 | Collective bargaining, Member action, Workers' rights
Nurses employed by the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) in Queensland are fighting for better pay rates, with most currently receiving more than 25% less than colleagues in public and private hospitals. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU)...
07,08,23 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Retirement from the workforce marks an exciting and significant milestone in a worker’s lifetime, and our union is here to support members through the process. Before deciding to transition to retirement, members should carefully consider their preferred timeframes,...
02,08,23 | Workers' rights, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
The tragic death of an UberEats food delivery rider in Sydney last month is a stark reminder of the need to improve safety for gig workers. Currently transport gig workers lack basic worker protections including minimum wage, sick leave, workers’ compensation or...
19,07,23 | Workers' rights
Cheque payments of 4 cents for royalty rights abound and coupled with the threat of jobs losses to the use artificial intelligence (AI), members of the Screen Actors Guild have moved to strike action. The phenomenon of actors receiving measly cheques for residual...
18,07,23 | Workers' rights
An $8 million underpayment of University of Wollongong (UOW) staff reflects a systemic culture of wage theft in the sector. UOW self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying underpayment of casual staff dating back to 2016. The Vice Chancellor of UOW,...
27,06,23 | Superannuation, Workers' rights
This week, the federal government passed the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting worker entitlements) Bill 2023 in parliament. The bill makes several changes aimed at improving the workplace relations framework, including the following amendments: Inserting the right to...
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 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Our union’s advocacy has led to an employer quickly withdrawing their direction for an IEU member to undergo an independent medical examination (IME) as part of their return to work. Industrial Services Officer Melanie Stellmacher said several recent industrial cases...
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...
09,05,23 | Union win, Workers' rights
A McDonald’s franchisee in Murray Bridge, South Australia, has paid a fine of $275,000 after admitting to unlawfully discouraging staff from joining their union over a five-year period. The landmark case brought by the union that represents fast-food workers, the...
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...
30,03,23 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
The responsibility for schools to provide a psychologically safe workplace for employees may expand following the publication of Safe Work Australia’s new model code of practice Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work, as Rachel Drew and Aiyana O’Meara from Holding...
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...
16,03,23 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
Union members at the ABC will take strike action next week as they continue their campaign for sustainable careers and equal pay for journalists in the regions, from diverse backgrounds and women. As reported yesterday (15 March 2023) in the Brisbane Times, “more...
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...
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...
28,02,23 | Professional issues, Workers' rights
Our union has called for urgent action to address the health and wellbeing of school leaders, their staff and students in light of the alarming results of the latest Australian Principal Wellbeing survey. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the summary findings...
20,02,23 | Member action, Workers' rights
This year the Labour Day/ May Day weekend will be celebrated on 29 April – 1 May across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Labour Day (Queensland) and May Day (Northern Territory) are significant in union history. For IEU members, it is a time to come together to...
20,02,23 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
A Queensland Catholic school employing authority has come to our union’s attention for their repeated attempts to reduce the work hours of part-time continuing staff by issuing new contracts. IEU Industrial Services Officer Melanie Stellmacher said members should be...
20,02,23 | Reconciliation, Workers' rights
Our union’s latest Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has launched following its official endorsement by Reconciliation Australia. IEU Branch Secretary and caretaker of our union’s RAP Terry Burke said the new RAP builds on previous reconciliation work and the latest...
20,02,23 | Collective bargaining, Member action, Workers' rights
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has warned the recent case of wage theft by the University of Melbourne highlights a widespread problem within Australia’s higher education sector. According to the NTEU, a shameful and growing list of employers in the...
20,02,23 | Workers' rights
Our union is working to ensure the protection and security of workers’ data by employers in the wake of increasing data breaches and cyber-attacks in our sector and the Australian community. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said data protection was critical to...
20,02,23 | Union win, Workers' rights
With the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill now law, IEU members now have greater opportunity to bargain for better wages, have greater equity in the workplace and start to tackle insecure work. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the passing of the Secure Jobs,...
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 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
More than 120,000 teachers across England and Wales were expected to walk off the job this week to demand better pay and working conditions. After a decade of paltry wages in the state-funded school system and inflation reaching double digits, the National Education...
01,02,23 | Vocational Educational and Training, Workers' rights
The IEU-QNT has called for the expansion of the fee-free VET scheme to the private sector. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said expanding the recently announced program outside the TAFE sector would further boost jobs and the economy. “The federal government’s...
01,02,23 | Teachers, Union win, Workers' rights
Our union has helped secure job-share arrangements for a member, reinforcing flexible working arrangements as a good option for employers to retain staff while helping employees achieve a better work/life balance. IEU member Kelly reached out to her IEU Organiser...
30,01,23 | Workers' rights
Around 700 casual workers were fired and promptly re-hired just before Australia Day to avoid penalty rates. Casual staff of Mantle Group, which runs venues including the Brisbane Pig ‘n’ Whistle chain, Jimmy’s On The Mall and James Squire brewhouse, claim they were...
07,12,22 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Starting a new job comes with dozens of small admin tasks that can slip through the cracks but could have lasting implications if not rectified, such as forgetting to let your employer know about any prior qualifications or professional experience. Under most...
05,12,22 | Union win, Workers' rights
In an historic moment for union members across the country, the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill is now law – allowing millions of working people to bargain for better wages, have greater equity at work, and start to tackle insecure work. The Bill passed last week (2...
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.
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...
23,11,22 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
The federal government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill would change the working lives of many Australians – making collective bargaining fairer and restoring balance to the process – the exact reason why so many employers are fighting against the Bill. IEU-QNT...
21,11,22 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
A plan for “indefinite” non-contact duties and no provision for release time used for planning, preparation and correction (PPCT) are just wish-list items the employer at The Essington School is seeking during collective bargaining negotiations. The employer has a...
01,11,22 | Collective bargaining, Jobs Summit, Union win, Workers' rights
Big business and employer groups’ pushback on legislative changes designed to improve wages and balance out the bargaining process smacks of hypocrisy following their decade-long failure to protect workers. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said employer and big...
01,11,22 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Southern Cross University has been accused of denying the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) its legal right to investigate serious work health and safety issues. 82% of staff experiencing psychosocial hazards An NTEU official gave notice he would enter the...
01,11,22 | Jobs Summit, Workers' rights
It’s a tough time for Australian workers, with most facing the current cost-of-living crisis with record-breaking real wage cuts and insecure jobs, forcing thousands to work through injuries and illness. Real wage cuts set new record Working people have struggled...
01,11,22 | Early childhood, Union win, Workers' rights
The support of our union has helped secure significant redundancy payments for two members employed in the early childhood education sector. Earlier this year, an employer advised staff working at the Queensland kindergarten of a major workplace change: that they...
01,11,22 | Collective bargaining, Union win, Workers' rights
IEU members have welcomed the federal government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill as an important first step to fairer workplace laws. IEU Federal Secretary Christine Cooper said these changes will make a difference to the wages and working lives of countless members...
13,10,22 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
The denial of basic industrial action by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which was to include a ban on answering the phone, is the latest example of just how broken Australia’s bargaining laws are. In a bizarre attack on attempted industrial action by the National...
12,10,22 | Workers' rights
Employers would be required to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment under new legislation. The federal government’s Respect@Work Bill seeks to implement more of the landmark Respect@Work report recommendations. The proposed legislation would place...
12,10,22 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
IEU members are increasingly reporting ageist employer actions including being “pushed” towards retirement. Our union has heard from members in various sectors who believe they have been treated adversely due to their age. Members have reported: being questioned about...
01,09,22 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Our union has recently supported a number of IEU members with psychological injuries through WorkCover claims, particularly in high-risk educational workplaces. IEU Industrial Officer Melanie Stellmacher said no matter the workplace, employers owe a duty of care to...
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...
