Community Sector Covid-Safe Briefing
ASU members are performing essential work to support our community through the latest COVID-19 lockdown across Greater Sydney.
Last year, the ASU developed a suite of resources to help keep front-line workers safe whilst they performed their work.
Today, Assistant Secretary of the ASU, Angus McFarland briefed members working in the community sector on their rights to safe workplaces during the pandemic.
Halfway Through: ASU in 2021
Somehow we're almost halfway through 2021.
Here are some of the ASU achievements this year.
Breaking: Annual Wage Review
Today, the Fair Work Commission has announced a 2.5% increase to the minimum wage and Award wages.
There are around 2.3 million workers who are paid the minimum wage or have their pay set by awards.
That's around one in five workers in Australia who rely on the annual review for pay increases.
The only people arguing for a wage increase has been the union movement. We are by your side.
There will also be a 0.5% increase to superannuation contributions from July 1, 2021 too.
The ASU, and unions across Australia, argued for a 3.5% pay rise - or $26.38 per week for a full-time minimum wage worker - in our submission to the National Minimum Wage Review.
The FWC said they were concerned about the impact of the vaccine rollout on the economy.
Big business argued that workers should only get 1.1% - but the Fair Work Commission listened to unions, and awarded a fairer increase.
Paid Vaccine Leave for Disability Workers
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has written to Prime Minister Morrison to call on his government to provide two days special paid leave per vaccination for all workers in aged care and disability support services, as well as ensuring that all workers are paid for travel to and from getting vaccinated.
Disability care, in particular, is “characterised by high levels of insecure and casual work”, meaning many workers may not have access to paid leave.
Cuts to Medicare
The Federal Government wants to overhaul Medicare.
Patients could be out-of-pocket for common surgeries, including hip and heart surgery.
Early indications say some patients could incur more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket costs.
The Australian Medical Association has said changes could trigger "chaos" for patients and doctors.
Union members won Medicare, and we'll always protect it.
New training courses for ASU members
There are four brand new online training courses scheduled for June, exclusively for ASU members.
This month we have courses on:
and our popular Time and Stress Management course.
All our courses are available on-demand so that you can complete them at a time that suits you.
Every course is run by experts and designed for ASU members.
You receive a certificate for every course. Register today.
New Enterprise Agreement at Uniting
Jessica, Donna and Owen are three union delegates from Uniting.
Every day they make the difference in the lives of the families, children and young people they support.
Our wonderful Uniting bargaining reps are currently in the process of bargaining for the Uniting Burnside Enterprise Agreement, and working with the union to achieve the best outcome for all ASU Child Youth and Family members at Uniting.
We are currently circulating a petition to ask Uniting to properly pass on Equal Pay to all Burnside staff. You can sign that petition here.
If you would like more information on the progress of the bargaining process, please contact ASU Organiser Stacey Sharkey on [email protected] or 0475 668 893.
Sydney Water Delegate Conference
Over 50 union delegates from Sydney Water came together for our annual Delegate Conference.
We’re essential workers - we kept our water safe and clean during the fires, floods, drought and now we’re testing the water for COVID. We can’t afford a pay cut. Our communities need a pay rise.
We deserve to be valued and respected at work. Delegates spoke about our plans for the 2021 Enterprise Agreement.
ASU Support for School Strike 4 Climate
The Australian Services Union is proud to support the students striking for action on climate change on 21 May.
Australian workers need a safe climate with secure jobs. But inaction from the Federal Government means we are being left behind in the fight for a safe future. Already, we have seen the devastating outcomes of climate change on communities all around the country and around the world.
Climate change is a workers’ issue – as it is working people, our families, our communities and our future generations who will bear the brunt if we do not see action from the Federal Government now.
The ASU proudly supports the students who are stepping up and demanding real and immediate action to tackle climate change.
Our future is in good hands when we have young activists all around the country standing together to secure a better future for our country, climate, workers and communities.
We have always been, and will always be by the side of young people fighting for a better future.
Find a rally near you at www.schoolstrike4climate.com/may21
Union Wins Award Improvements
Breaking News: The Fair Work Commission today has said it agrees with the ASU that the SCHADS Award should be improved to include:
Paid Travel Time between shifts
Broken Shift Allowance
Right to swap shifts
Improvements to sleepovers
Better rights for part-time workers
We will be holding an All Member Briefing at 3pm on Monday, May 10th to let members know about these proposed changes to the Award, what they mean, and when they will be coming. Members can register for this briefing here. It will be recorded and available online for members who are unable to attend.