Private Sector News

Read on for all the latest news across the Airlines and IT sector, including recent EBA wins, wage theft warnings and resources for your workplace.

Recent EBA wins

3% pay increase for AAE and Menzies

Recent ASU wins at Australian Air Express include a 3% pay increase, double-time for roster changes within 48 hours and 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave. These wins were achieved with no trade-offs.

At Menzies Aviation, the bargaining team were able to secure a 3% pay increase for each year of the 3-year agreement, 6 weeks paid parental leave with super, free car parking for all employees with more than 5 years’ service, reducing to 3 years’ service from July 2020,  and 10 days paid domestic violence leave, again with no tradeoffs.

What’s happening at Qantas?

upcoming bargaining

Preparations are under way to commence bargaining for a new Enterprise Agreement. Next month, delegates from around the country will come together in Sydney to put plans in place to start campaigning for better pay and conditions. Surveys will be sent to all members from November - it’s important that members complete the survey and have their say. In the meantime, talk to your delegate about what is important to you and your colleagues.

25% PAY RISE FOR CASUALS

ASU WIN IN THE COMMUNITY SECTOR

Unions have won a 25% pay rise for casuals working Saturday, Sundays, Public Holidays and overtime in the community sector.

The ASU has been calling for this since the Award changed 9 years ago.

The Fair Work Commission's recent decision means that casuals in the community and disability must be paid their 25% casual loading in addition to overtime time and weekend penalty rates.

Weekends are important - it's when most people get time away from work to spend with friends and families. The Fair Work Commission's decision recognises that casual workers have friends and families too.

Unions won the weekend, and we will always strive for fair weekend and overtime rates.

Are you classified correctly?

Make sure your work is valued

Following the wage theft bungle at Qantas which saw hundreds of workers incorrectly classified, the ASU has received calls from members concerned that the pay they receive may not reflect the work that they do and the skill descriptors are incomplete and outdated.

The ASU Members' area has all relevant pay rates and agreements, including the Australian Services Union Agreement 11. From page 86, you will find the classification structure and skill descriptors for each level. It’s important that every member is paid correctly! It’s also important for every member to have their own copy of the Agreement. After all, it’s your Agreement! 

There is an opportunity to fix up your pay and classifications during Enterprise Bargaining next year. If you believe that the current skill descriptors don’t reflect the work that you do, and you would like to provide us with information explaining why, get in touch with us at [email protected].

Your feedback will be essential in informing your delegates’ views about the best way to tackle pay and classification.

Need to talk to someone?

call 02 9310 4000 for workplace assistance

Have a question about work? Don't forget that every member can call the ASU on 02 9310 4000 for assistance.

This year our expert team have supported 4517 members who have called for assistance and recovered over $750,000 in unpaid wages and entitlements for ASU members. We have also saved over 350 individual jobs.

Delegate Profile

Peter Thomson

I’m Peter Thompson from Menzies Aviation, I’ve worked in Customer Service at Menzies since 2006. I enjoy the variety of work at Menzies which has included providing customer service for Emirates, British Airways, Thai and American Airlines concierge. My working background has always been in aviation and hospitality, having worked at Ansett for 31 years including 10 years at Hayman Island in their hotels and catering division. I have also worked for United Airlines in London in customer service and as a lounge concierge.  I have been an ASU delegate for 4 years. I became a delegate because I have always been an advocate for fairness and assisting colleagues with knowing their rights in the workplace. I strive to provide a bridge between management and members and try to fill the communication gap. When I’m not at work, I relax by cooking and love travelling.

Are you the next workplace Delegate?

Will you put your hand up to be the voice of ASU members in your workplace and help keep management accountable?

Do you work with someone who would be perfect for the role? The ASU is always looking for members who are interested! 

Being a delegate gets you a seat at the table and enables you to represent your colleagues with workplace issues. Induction and on-going training are provided by the ASU office, and you can perform your delegate duties and attend meetings. Interested? Contact your Organiser Linda Spiteri at [email protected]

Rally for climate action

friday 20 september

The Australian Services Union is proud to support the school strikers’ Global #ClimateStrike on September 20 and the young leaders who are demanding real and immediate action on climate change.

In Sydney, we’ll be meeting at 11:30am at the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park. ASU members will also be at rallies in Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong and Lismore.

Join ASU members on September 20 at climate change rallies across the country. 

Advancing your career

your union can help

Since launching our online training and development portal ASU Career Launchpad early in 2019, thousands of members participate in live and on-demand courses. All the courses are run by experts in the field: sign up for a live session so you can ask questions, or watch back any of the courses at any time, on-demand.

Some of our most popular courses are:

• Become an Excel Expert
• 4 Easy steps to take control of your Super
• Boost your skills: Working with Difficult People

Go to Activate your Account and use the email that is connected to your ASU membership to get started.

Super Sessions

Make the most of your super

We have offices in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Lismore and one year ago today we opened our newest office in Penrith.

These offices are hubs for ASU members – where you can hold meetings, pick up workplace posters and get involved with local campaigns.

We have also partnered with HESTA Superannuation to provide regional super sessions at these hubs.

Come along and find out how you can maximise your superannuation savings.

• Penrith (11 September, 5pm) RSVP to [email protected]
• Tweed Heads (24^th September, 5.30pm) RSVP to [email protected]
• Ballina (25^th September 5.30pm) RSVP to [email protected]

Big savings only for ASU members

Standing together in union means we can get great deals to improve our lives outside of work as well as in the workplace.

You can save $1000 a year on groceries and petrol with 5% off at Woolies, Coles, and Caltex with Member Advantage. To get started, simply go to asumembers.memberadvantage.com.au then click Sign In and if you're using it for the first time, click Request New Password and enter your email address.

Expert advice and resources

And before you go, why not remind your coworkers of all the great wins we've had over the years with our Brought to you by Union Members Poster!

Members can access all the fact sheets and workplace posters on the Resources section of our website.