Unite ASU Private Sector Branch Victoria
Nov 2015
Welcome to the online edition of Unite
In this issue
Pg 1.
State Of The Union
Pg 2.
ASU Conference
Pg 4.
Australian Volunteers International
Pg 6.
Workplace Tips
Pg 7.
Our People
State of the union
Welcome to the online edition of Unite As 2015 draws to a close I want to reflect on some of the important issues ASU members took on this year and pay tribute to the collective efforts of our workplace activists, Delegates and members. After the pain of job losses throughout 2014, this year has been about reversing that trend and fighting for quality jobs across our industries. It’s good to see that the Victorian economy has improved and many of the employers who were laying off staff in 2013 and 2014 have been rehiring this year. This has seen strong new membership growth in some key ASU sectors. It’s really important that the union movement attracts young workers and I am really pleased to see that a significant proportion of new ASU members this year were young workers. Of the new members that joined the ASU this year 66% were under the age of 40, and 33% under the age of 30. It’s just goes to show that there is plenty of interest from young workers about the best way to protect and enhance their rights at work – joining a union! Together with our members at Jetstar the ASU campaigned and lobbied hard to ensure that Avalon airport has a bright future as Victoria’s second airport. The ASU has also been working to ensure that election commitments given to the ASU about prioritising local jobs in the service sector are delivered on by the Andrews state government. The union also made submissions to a number of inquiries including the inquiry into portable long service leave, labour hire and insecure work, and women’s retirement income. Thanks to the many members who shared their experiences to give life to these ASU submissions.
Union Finances - Compliance and Governance At the ASU we take compliance and governance extremely seriously because we believe that the union belongs to its members. As such the finances, including the assets of the union are managed with the highest degree of transparency and strong policy controls. Each financial year the accounts of the union are subject to an independent, external audit and the Audited Accounts are then lodged with Fair Work Australia in accordance with the obligations contained in the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009. Full copies of the financial statements for the period ending 30 June 2015 are available on the Branch website and can be viewed at: http://asuvic.org/about/compliance-governance/
But we can’t stop there. Our living standards are under significant attack. The Government’s Productivity Commission inquiry into workplace relations has called for cutting Sunday penalty rates and the minimum wage, making it easier to sack people and giving employers even more power over our lives. We have much to do for the remainder of this year, and in 2016 we will need to campaign hard to ensure that our living standards are front and centre during the federal election. Union members across the country will mobolise to campaign for a better future. One that delivers:
These changes include:
Workers rights and jobs: Defended and extended with secure jobs. Medicare: Universal healthcare for all Australians. Education: The highest quality for all Australians. Public services: Owned by everyone for the benefit of everyone. A secure retirement: Decent pensions and superannuation. A fair go for all: Everyone supported and everyone contributes their fair share of tax.
• That in future whenever a 457 visa worker is employed in a location, region or area where an EBA applies then that worker must be paid the relevant EBA rate of pay – protecting local jobs and protecting overseas workers from exploitation;
I wish all ASU members all the very best for the holiday season, and all of us at the ASU look forward to the privilege of working with you again in 2016.
• That on all projects where total investment is more than $150 million, labour market testing will apply – meaning employers will have to seek local workers first;
In unity,
It’s also been an extraordinary year in federal politics with Tony Abbott out and Malcolm Turnbull in. During this time the union movement campaigned hard and won last minute changes to The China Free Trade Agreement. Whilst not all the concerns about Australian jobs were addressed some important gains were made:
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Ingrid Stitt Branch Secretary
ASU Conference
Delegates Conference
Strong recruitment, engaging with young members and building a better future for workers, were the key topics for inspiring conversations at this year’s Delegate’s Conference. With a number of inspiring speakers including Federal Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Brendan O’Connor and Federal Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Anthony Albanese, ASU delegates are ready to start campaigning against the Federal Government’s Workchoices Mark II agenda. This agenda is a result of a Productivity Report commissioned by the Liberal Government into our industrial relations system. It recommended reducing penalty rates on Sundays to be the same as Saturdays for hospitality, entertainment, retail, restaurants and cafe workers. It attacked the minimum wage and allowed for a new type of contract called an ‘enterprise contract’. On top of that it had no restrictions on the use of contractors, labour hire and casuals in enterprise agreements. With the government still considering the report, we need to speak up now to protect our rights.
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Representing young workers and women If any of the Productivity Commission recommendations are adopted they will have a major impact on some of the lowest paid workers with the most insecure jobs. The majority of these people are women. With the ASU Private Sector Branch representing 67 per cent women, it is vital that we remain strong and campaign hard against an erosion of these rights. Meanwhile our branch of the ASU continues to grow, particularly with young people signing up to become members. Of our new members over the last year, 65 per cent of them were women and 37 % of them under 30 years of age. Who said young people didn’t want to join a union?
Inspiring Young People One of the most interesting sessions at the conference was a panel discussion by three young women, passionate about unionism and protecting workers’ rights. Kahlani Pyrah, spoke about her experiences in taking on Grill’d as a United Voice member, organising her workplace and not letting management exploit her or her fellow workers.
How do we build a better future? Finally the spotlight was turned on how we become better union activists with a panel discussion featuring Sally McManus, the Vice President and ACTU Campaign Director, Luke Hilakari, Victorian Trades Hall Secretary and Brigid Marasco, ASU’s National Communications Officer.
Colleen Chen from Interns Australia gave an insightful presentation about the outrageous rise in the number of young people undertaking unpaid internships so they can gain experience to secure paid employment. The trend is alarming. Often the work interns are doing is the same as paid workers – the only difference is that they are doing it for free! Unregulated and not captured by any official statistics, Interns Australia undertook their own research and found the following sectors now have interns: media and communications, the arts, legal, not-forprofits and government. Finally Van Badham, writer, journalist and unionist spoke at length about what it means to be a unionist debunking the myths that young people don’t want to be a member of a union and don’t want to be part of the labour movement. They are and they do.
Join the fight for our living standards and demand our governments support Workers rights and jobs: Defended and extended with secure jobs. Medicare: Universal healthcare for all Australians. Education: The highest quality for all Australians. Public services: Owned by everyone for the benefit of everyone. A secure retirement: Decent pensions and superannuation. A fair go for all: Everyone supported and everyone contributes their fair share of tax. You can sign up for the campaign at: http://www.weareunion.org.au/volunteer
Sally, Luke and Brigid fired up everyone by taking us through the plan to ‘Build a Better Future’. One of the best things about this campaign is that we get to talk to fellow unionists about how we can protect our rights at work and build a future that doesn’t mean workers are making all the sacrifices.
Here’s some great tips for online social media activism that Brigid developed. http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/ securejobsbetterfuture/101023-how-to-change-the-world
PLAY VIDEO
Australian Volunteers International
Ever thought of volunteering? Meet one of the great workplaces we cover Australian Volunteers International (AVI) is one of the great workplaces that is a real success story for the ASU. The not-for-profit organisation has been supporting more than 10,000 Australians to live and work with organisations and communities in 89 countries for the past 60 years. AVI connects people and organisations internationally to learn from each other and support shared goals. Often this involves supporting Australian volunteers to go overseas and work for 12-18 months in a local community with a ‘host organisation’. Volunteer work can range from medical support through to human resources, marketing or teaching. As you can imagine supporting hundreds of Australian volunteers, working all over the world and in different time zones, working conditions need to be fairly flexible. Last year, the ASU negotiated a new Enterprise Agreement at AVI. Mark Kavenagh is a child protection officer at AVI and spoke about his involvement in the new EA:
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“I’m the ASU delegate at Australian Volunteers International. We went through a restructure recently as well as negotiating a new EA. We’re an organisation that focuses on fairness and social justice in the world and being a union member is really important to many of us as a way to live that value…”
“Negotiating the EA was an incredibly positive experience and one that delivered benefits to all. We’ve got engaged people working flexible hours who are motivated to look after our volunteers all over the world. It’s an awesome place to work and be a member of a proactive union.”
“It’s really important to support people who don’t have the same benefits and power in the workplace. I really value the rights of workers to collective bargaining and believe my membership helps others have equal footing,” Alison explained.
The flexibility negotiated in the EA was a key point for many of the people at AVI. With people often working in challenging and international time zones, the ability to maintain a work life balance was a critical factor. “We’ve got a strong, easily understood EA with great provisions for good work-life balance. It means we are working in a really family friendly organisation. It just takes so much stress out of life,” Janet Noonan, the marketing co-ordinator explained.
Another important factor for many ASU members at AVI was being part of the union movement. Tory Norris and Alison Ford both work as International Projects coordinators, supporting people who are travelling to volunteer in other countries. Tory said, “I joined the ASU because I see so many volunteers going to countries, such as India, where their rights as workers are pretty awful. For me it’s important to be part of a union community.”
Much of the work in setting up the new EA was undertaken by former delegate, Sean Lynch, Manager of Recruitment Services. Sean said “I’ve been at Australian Volunteers for eight years, some of those as a union delegate. I love the camaraderie and support that being a member of a union brings and the benefits we deliver for our colleagues.” For more information about AVI go to their website at www.australianvolunteers.com
find out more
Workplace Tips
Tips to Avoid Stress in the Workplace
Social Media @ Your Work’s Christmas Party
Stress in the workplace can be a major issue for the person, their family and friends. Managing how we deal with stress is critical to maintaining a healthy working life and good mental health. At the ASU we developed a number of helpful guides to assist you with dealing with stress related issues at work. You can download the guides here:
Looking forward to an end of year break and your workplace’s Christmas party is great. But don’t let your social media posts get overly familiar with your boss or colleagues!
http://asuvic.org/campaigns/how-to-reduce-stress-in-yourworkplace/
Comments you make on social media can affect your employment. In some cases employees have been dismissed for making comments about their workplace, employer, manager, co-worker using social media forums. If in doubt – contact the ASU on 9342 3300 or info@asupvic.org Christmas is a time for giving, but not giving your boss or colleagues a serve! Stay safe and social media savvy this Christmas.
Here are some quick tips to make sure you get the most out of your Christmas party without cooking your goose!
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• Adjust your privacy settings and review them often • Restrict most content to only people you know • Don’t friend your boss • Don’t identify your employer in posts • Only post comments and photos you’re happy to have in a public forum • Does it pass the front page of the Herald Sun test?
Our People
Meet Carolyn Cassar, ASU delegate of the year Carolyn is a customer service officer at Jetstar. She joined Jetstar and the ASU seven years ago and has been a delegate for the same time. During her time as a union member, Carolyn has negotiated three EBAs, gaining improvements for her colleagues every time.
Matt Norrey, head organiser at the ASU gave Carolyn a glowing endorsement. “Carolyn is a fantastic advocate for her workmates. She always goes that extra mile to get the absolute best outcomes she can. This award is well deserved.� Congratulations Carolyn.
Congratulations to all our new life members. They are: Allan Hall, Barry Leahey, Robyn Bull, Lindsay Hesketh and Joan Miles.
The Australian Services Union exists to promote, improve and protect the working conditions and entitlements of our members. As a member of the ASU, you get access to a range of other great benefits including:
Discount movie tickets
Members connect
Available for Hoyts, Greater Union and some independent cinemas. Call or email us to arrange delivery.
Discounted e-gift cards for for Rebel Sport, JB HiFi, Dick Smith, iTunes and My Fun (theme parks and zoos).
Insurance Better banking services
ME bank offers members low cost loans and it’s 100% owned by industry superfunds.
ISinsured provides union members with a range of good value and dependable insurance solutions you can count on including: • Home and contents insurance • Motor vehicle insurance • Landlords insurance Ring 1800 827 502 or visit: isinsured.com.au
Superannuation
Industry superfunds pay all profits to members and have low fees. The ASU has secured benefits for members with the following industry funds: Australian Super, Legal Super and Care Super
Legal Services Slater & Gordon is a national law firm committed to solving your legal problems. Their wide range of services is designed to help you get access to the right legal advice when you need it. Call the ASU Legal Services on 03 9320 6700 or call Slater and Gorgon Legal Help Line on 1800 555 777 Plus there’s a great range of Australian Union Member Benefits available through australianunions-org.au/member-benefits including discounts on: • Car hire • Car tyres
Level 2, 116 Queensberry Street Carlton South VIC 3053 PO Box 324, North Melbourne VIC 3051 Tel: (03) 9342 3300 Fax: (03) 9342 3399 E-mail: info@asupsvic.org Journal: Unite – Editor: Ingrid Stitt Ingrid Stitt – Branch Secretary David Leydon – Assistant Branch Secretary
• Hotel accommodation • Wine
Unite ASU private sector Branch victoria
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