Media Releases 2022
Read current and past media statements from the ACTU.
All ACTU media enquiries should be directed to ACTU Media team:
T: 03 9664 7315 (24 hours)
E: media@actu.org.au
Recent Media Releases
Emergency meeting of unions to consider action to keep workers safe
January 16, 2022
An emergency meeting of national union leaders today will consider what action will be taken to keep workers safe as the Prime Minister ignores repeated requests for assistance and spurns offers to work together to address the workforce crisis.
Woolworths continues to turn a blind eye as workers forced to work while infected with Covid
January 15, 2022
Woolworths continues to turn a blind eye as one of its major suppliers, Teys Australia, forces its workforce at its abattoir in South Australia to turn up for work even though they are infected with the Covid virus.
Unions condemn failure to provide Rapid Antigen Tests and call emergency meeting of all unions
January 13, 2022
The ACTU condemns in the strongest possible terms the Prime Minister’s failure at National Cabinet to ensure Rapid Antigen Tests be made be free and accessible for all to protect worker and community safety and get the economy moving again.
National Cabinet must make Rapid Antigen Tests free, reject moves to water down workers’ safety
January 13, 2022
Rumours continue to swirl about extreme elements of the employer lobby pushing hard for National Cabinet to water down Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws, in a desperate move to make up for the Morrison Government’s total failure to make Rapid Antigen Tests free and accessible in Australia.
Supplier of meat products to major supermarket chain Woolworths forces workers to work while infectious with Covid virus
January 12, 2022
Teys Australia is forcing workers to report for duty at one of its South Australian abattoirs even though they have tested positive for Covid and are actively infectious with the virus.
Unions call for emergency meeting with Prime Minister over Omicron crisis, lay out list of urgent actions needed for workers
January 11, 2022
Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus wrote to the Prime Minister overnight, calling on him to convene an emergency meeting with union leaders representing essential workers to address the escalating national Omicron crisis.
Scott Morrison abandons workers, holds secret meeting with Employers to wind back isolation requirements in transport sector
January 9, 2022
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will host talks with industry bosses at a closed-door meeting at 2pm today to develop plans to force supply chain workers back to the front lines despite being possibly infected with the Covid virus.
Abandoned workers across the country forced to take leave with no pay.
January 9, 2022
Thousands of workers are isolating without pay and are unable to access Paid Pandemic Leave because of the Morrison Government’s narrow definition of a ‘close contact’.
Morrison refuses to listen to public health experts, doctors, unions and businesses to make RATs free
January 5, 2022
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in his announcement today, has once again rejected the calls of doctors, public health experts, unions, and small businesses to make rapid antigen tests free for all. This is a slap in the face to the Australians who have sacrificed and lost so much to keep each other safe during the pandemic.
STATEMENT FROM ACTU ACTING SECRETARY LIAM O’BRIEN PRIME MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY ON RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS
January 5, 2022
Today’s attempt to distract from his ongoing failure to make Rapid Antigen Tests free and accessible for all Australians proves that Prime Minister Scott Morrison still doesn’t get it and again highlights that, when it comes to the pandemic, the Morrison Government’s ‘too little, too late’ approach means Australians will continue to suffer the consequences.
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