The worker2worker Hotline
The union helpline for new workers, trainees, apprentices and casuals to get advice about the world of work and to make the most of your workplace. The hotline can help by:
- letting you know your legal rights
- advising you on your correct rate of pay
- offering suggestions to resolve problems at your work
- advising you of the steps to create a worker-friendly environment
- putting you in touch with the right union
Call the hotline - 1300 362 223
Ask Neale Online
Ask Neale – not
sure about your rights? Then ask Neale, the answers man.
ACTU Congress 2003
Youth issues, improved rights for casuals, working hours and work intensification will be prominent on the agenda at the ACTU Congress 2003 to be held from the 18-21 August in Melbourne. For more information:
- Read the Young People and Unions background paper.
- Read the Young People and Unions policy.
- Contribute to a discussion group about the ACTU's Young People and Unions policy for Congress 2003
- Read the Casuals and Insecure Forms of Employment background paper.
- Read the Casuals and Insecure Forms of Employment policy.
- Contribute to a discussion group about the ACTU's Casuals and Insecure Forms of Employment policy for Congress 2003
- Read the Working Hours and Work Intensification background
paper.
- Read the Working Hours and Work Intensification policy.
- Contribute to a discussion group about the ACTU's Young People and Unions policy for Congress
2003
What do unions do?
Australian unions represent a wide range of working people, including cooks, cleaners, waiters, call centre operators, bank tellers and shop assistants. Whichever industry you work in, there is a union which covers you.
Unions have worked for more than 100 years representing workers. Their achievements include:
- higher rates of pay (union members earn 17% more than non-members on
average)
- annual and sick leave
- casual loading
- penalty rates
- superannuation
- redundancy pay
- workers compensation
- maternity leave
- occupational health and safety standards
Get involved...
There are many ways you can get involved in unions:
Take Action
Get active and tell your politicians we want their time and our money spent on improving the lives of ordinary people not wasted on war and the creation of human misery.
- Tell John Howard it’s about time his government got in step with the rest of the world and supported paid maternity leave.
- Support low paid workers in their efforts to get a decent rise in the Minimum Wage.
Organising Works Traineeship
The program aims to recruit younger people into unions and training them in the skills of organising and recruitment. The main role of the trainee is to work at a grass roots level organising people in the union movement.
Trainees are hosted by a union participating in the program and spend most of their time in that union helping to recruit new members.
The program runs fro approximately nine months after which many graduates receive ongoing employment in unions.
Information: Leslie Adams, ACTU Educator, ph: 9964 7361 email: ladams@actu.asn.au
Join A Union
Unions give you a voice in you workplace. On a whole rage of issues, unions are there to represent you.
Find your union http://actu.asn.au/public/links/
Links
Employment Rights
Jobwatch
Smart Casual
Young Christian Workers Australia
Personal Finance
ACTU Financial Advisers Network – for union members seeking financial advice from ACTU endorsed experts
Members Equity – low cost home loans for union members
Australian National Credit Union
Money Stuff - Money Stuff is a Web site for young people about buying stuff and renting, brought to you by NSW Department of Fair Trading
community.gov.au - links to useful information for individuals and communities about finance and budgeting.
Community Groups
Friends of the Earth Australia
Greenpeace
Refugee Action Collective
Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad
Independent Media
Indymedia is a collective of independent media groups and producers offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage of struggles, actions and celebrations. Everyone is a witness. Everyone is a journalist. They have sites in cities all over the world and four across Australia.
www.melbourne.indymedia.org
www.brisbane.indymedia.org.au
www.sydney.indymedia.org
www.adelaide.indymedia.org.au
IPS, the world´s leading provider of information on global issues, is backed by a network of journalists in more than 100 countries, with satellite communication links to 1,200 outlets. www.ips.org
Culture Jamming
www.adbusters.org
http://www.billboardliberation.com
http://www.shutupandshop.org/
Union Links-Find Your Union
http://actu.labor.net.au/public/links/