Trains: Government Tantrums and Chaos
The NSW Government is in chaos, and commuters and rail workers are paying the price. In the last month, 1 in 3 trains Sydney trains were late, and 1 in 2 NSW TrainLink Services were late.
Opposition Transport MP Jo Haylen says the Government has lost control of the transport system.
“Cancellations and delays are now just a part of life for passengers across Sydney.
Everyone knows that on time running has plummeted because of the government’s rail shutdown, their mishandling of industrial negotiations, and their failure to strengthen our rail infrastructure so it can continue to run if there’s a spell of bad weather.” - Jo Haylen, Shadow Transport Minister
Gig Economy: NSW Parliament Report
The Select Committee on the Impact of Technological and Other Change on the Future of Work and Workers in New South Wales has handed down their first report on their inquiry: “Impact of technological and other change on the future of work and workers in New South Wales First report – The gig economy”.
The report picks up evidence from the Australian Services Union about regulation in the NDIS and gig economy and issues a recommendation in support of portable entitlements.
ASU members have been calling for Portable Entitlements - this is critical, with almost 1 in 3 workers planning on leaving the disability sector this year.
New Member Benefits and Savings
From the 6th of April, your member rewards program will have a brand new look, providing you with access to thousands of discounts, benefits and offers on groceries, fuel, health insurance, tech products, whitegoods, sporting goods, motor vehicles and so much more.
Activating your access to the platform is easy – you will receive an invitation to register. Click on the link in the invitation email to complete a short registration form and you can start shopping. Please check your junk email or spam folder if you have not received your invitation on the 6th of April.
Get rewarded for your membership, everyday. That’s your Member Advantage!
Standing together means we can get great deals to improve our lives outside of work as well as in the workplace.
All current ASU members will receive an email from [email protected], and ask you to log in and create a new account.
Here we have some Frequently Asked Questions and a copy of the Platform User Guide.
2022: Federal Budget
Every year we provide in-depth budget analysis for union members.
Watch our special briefing and go beyond the headlines to find out what is in this year's Federal Budget for community and disability workers.
With a Federal election coming up, and the increasing cost of living, it's important to be able to see beyond the spin and see Scott Morrison's plan for our jobs and our sector.
Don't forget that union members can get 5% off petrol. Click here to get started with Member Advantage - already included as part of your membership.
Essential Workers Deserve a Pay Rise
ASU members are calling for a fair wage increase for community and disability workers at the Fair Work Commission.
We are calling for Governments to support our call and fund the wage increase.
The cost of living has skyrocketed and our pay needs to keep up. Everything is going up except our wages.
Frontline workers in the community and disability sector have carried Australia through the pandemic and supported communities in responding to fires, floods, and drought. We have been in higher demand and under more pressure than ever supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
We deserve a decent pay rise to value the work we do.
Cost Of Living
Cost of living keeps going up but our wages aren’t keeping up.
The Morrison Government has had 8 years to act, but have done nothing.
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe, has warned Australians they are set to take a real pay cut of 1.5% this year because sluggish wages growth won’t meet a surge in inflation.
Vale Joe Fisher
It is with great sadness that we share the news that ASU Legend Joe Fisher, former Secretary of the Water and Sewerage Employees Union (WSEU) has passed away.
The WSEU was established in 1909 and joined with unions in transport, social and community services, shipping, aviation, travel and IT to form the mighty ASU in 1993.
Joe led the WSEU from 1984 and was a member of the ASU Branch Executive from amalgamation until he was awarded life membership in 1995.
ACTU Secretary and former ASU Secretary Sally McManus said, "Vale Joe Fisher. A man of principle and a great trade unionist."
Joe will be farewelled at 1pm on Monday 28 March 2022 in the North Chapel of Pinegrove Memorial Park, Minchinbury.
Lismore Floods: Government Missing in Action
Three weeks since the 14 metre floods that devastated Lismore, residents are still cleaning up the mess. The clean up could take years, but ASU members in Lismore are not feeling supported by the federal government.
Labor: RESTORING RESPECT TO THE COMMUNITY SECTOR
On World Social Worker Day, the Labor party announced their election policy for the community sector.
Close to 100 ASU members from neighbourhood centres, women's, youth and disability support services, met at Blaxland Community Centre to hear from Senator Jenny McAllister (Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities & Preventing Family Violence), Andrew Leigh MP (Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities And Not-For-Profits), and Susan Templeman (Federal Member for Macquarie).
Judith Wright, ASU Deputy Secretary, said:
"We have had nine years of neglect by this government, of poor funding, rolling contracts and targeted attacks. 31% of ASU members have told us that if urgent action is not taken, they will leave the sector in the next 12 months."