10,10,23 | Industrial advice, Workers' rights
Our union has seen an increase in the frequency of non-compete clauses in employment contracts. In a worrying trend, IEU-QNT Industrial Services Officer Melanie Stellmacher says employers across all sectors were increasingly using restraint-of-trade, otherwise known...
04,10,23 | Workers' rights
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) have called on employer lobby groups, the Federal Opposition and Crossbench Senators to remove the roadblocks they have placed in the way of the Closing Loopholes Bill advancing in Parliament. The Bill was designed to...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
15,06,22 | Member action, Workers' rights
The right to a safe and healthy work environment is now enshrined int the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) framework of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The right to a healthy and safe workplace was adopted as a new fundamental right at this...
17,05,22 | Member action, Workers' rights, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)
Recent wet weather and unseasonably high levels of humidity across Queensland has led to an increase in the prevalence of mould being reported at school sites. Members should be aware of the dangers associated with mould in the workplace and ensure their IEU chapter...
17,05,22 | Union win, Workers' rights
In an historic move more than 2.5 million additional workers will receive paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave. An in-principle decision from industrial umpire, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), will see 10 days’ paid FDV leave included in modern awards. The...
16,03,22 | Beginning Educators (BEnet), Union win, Workers' rights
An employer’s attempt to discriminate on the basis of a medical injury was thwarted after assistance from our union’s experienced Industrial Services Team. The member, a university student in the final stage of their teaching degree, contacted our Industrial Services...
16,03,22 | Union win, Workers' rights
Our union’s assistance and advocacy has led to a pregnant member being reassigned to a safe job where she is performing alternative duties for the duration of her pregnancy. The classroom teacher was advised by her doctor that pregnant women are at increased risk of...
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...
04,03,21 | Member action, Teachers, Workers' rights
IEU members have reported employers who are placing inappropriate requirements on teachers who are sick. Organiser Caryl Rosser said unfortunately, some employers were asking staff who were on sick leave to send through a copy of all their planning for the day. “When...
