18,05,23 | Collective bargaining, Workers' rights
Queensland Catholic school employers are using the current collective bargaining negotiations to directly attack a critical employee working right held for close to 30 years. IEU Branch Secretary Terry Burke said such an attack had not been seen in our sector...
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...
22,03,23 | Collective bargaining, Member action, Teachers, Workers' rights
Queensland Catholic school employers have been called out for their failure to address, or even have a plan to fix, the current workload crisis facing the sector’s teachers. IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said workload and work intensification were preventing...
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...
31,08,22 | Jobs Summit, Workers' rights
The federal government’s Jobs Summit kicking off in Canberra on 1 September could herald in a new era for workers. With a touted agenda of improving working conditions, boosting wages, addressing skills shortages and closing gender gaps, the summit provides the real...
31,08,22 | Workers' rights
Members should be aware of insidious tactics used by some employers who are shamefully giving their staff “redundancies by stealth”. IEU-QNT Industrial Officer Dan Wilson said a recent shameful example was of a member who had worked 24 hours per week for 16 years,...
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...
29,08,22 | Jobs Summit, Workers' rights
Unions and employer groups have reached consensus on skills and training reform ahead of the landmark Jobs Summit later this week. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Ai Group and the Business Council of...
29,08,22 | Professional issues, Workers' rights
The federal government will deliver an action plan in December 2022, following the recent round table discussion on the national teacher workforce crisis hosted by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare. The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan will include the...
17,08,22 | Jobs Summit, Workers' rights
The union movement has signalled support for expanded migration if key reforms are implemented. Wages growth and investment in skills and training for Australian workers must be prioritised alongside expanding the yearly permanent migration program to 200,000 places,...
16,08,22 | Jobs Summit, Workers' rights
Ensuring full and secure employment should be the top macro-economic goal of the federal government’s upcoming Jobs Summit. A paper released by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) ahead of the September summit outlines how the economy could be overhauled in...
09,08,22 | Workers' rights
University staff at RMIT have been threatened over their refusal to volunteer for unpaid work. Last month RMIT staff were urged by Vice Chancellor Alec Cameron to volunteer their time at upcoming university open days. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU)...
09,08,22 | Workers' rights
Employers threatening to terminate collective agreements and force workers onto minimum Award conditions has become shamefully commonplace. Svitzer – Australia’s largest tugboat operator – is the latest employer to threaten this nuclear bargaining tactic in a move...
09,08,22 | Professional issues, Workers' rights
IEU members’ voices have been heard loud and clear in Canberra following a delegation of members to Parliament House last week. The two days of action, organised by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), saw a delegation of 90 union members meet with 92 MPs...
15,07,22 | Workers' rights
Despite numerous high-profile cases, egregious examples of wage theft continue to be unearthed. A Brisbane sushi restaurant has been ordered to pay $355,000 in penalties after deliberately underpaying 34 employees and falsifying records during a Fair Work Ombudsman...
15,07,22 | Early childhood, Workers' rights
A Brisbane-based community kindergarten employer wants to freeze wages, cut redundancy provisions and exclude new admin staff from the centre’s new agreement altogether. It comes after our union warned members in the sector to be aware of underhanded attacks to...
15,07,22 | Industrial advice, Union win, Workers' rights
IEU membership has made the difference in the face of an increasing number of employers who have refused safe work for pregnant employees. IEU-QNT Industrial Services Officer Michael Featherstone said safe job protections provided critical support for pregnant...
