About Us

Who are we?

We are the Australian Services Union and we are tens of thousands of workers who have banded together to protect and improve our wages and conditions and to have a voice about the things that impact on our lives.

We deliver different types of services right across the Nation. We work in community services, transport, water, airlines, and shipping and travel industries and information technology.

How did we all get to be in one union?

In the 1990’s unions looked at how they could better support their members in their workplaces and campaign for improvements in wages and conditions. During this time different unions amalgamated as one means of improving their capacity to work for their members. The ASU was formed over a number of years by the amalgamation of various unions. The ASU brought together public, private and community sector unions to form a strong union across the service industries.

The things we believe in

At the ASU we have a set of principles that outline what we believe in and they guide all our work. You can read or download our policy document here.

The things we do

• Campaign together to improve and protect rights at work.
• Ensure that our members have access to up to date information and advice on their rights at work.
• Bring together a strong and united voice for our members.
• Fight to defend the rights of the disadvantaged and vulnerable wherever they are
• Work together with workers across industries, across our country and around the world

The services we offer members

Membership of the ASU entitles you to the following services:

• Phone Support – We have professional staff on hand to answer your questions and provide information and advice.
• Direct Access to all your Award and Agreements via the ASU website in our ‘members only’ section.
• A copy of the ASU Guide to employment – an ASU publication with everything you need to know about employment rights.
• Access for members to over 25 fact sheets about workplace rights and employment entitlements.
• Legal Referrals to solicitors Slater and Gordon – first consultation free of charge.
• Support from a network of ASU delegates across your industry.
• Professional, expert support should you ever need it.
• Expert support for workplace bargaining.
• Advice and support on workers compensation with referral to our solicitors should a member’s case warrant this
• Financial Planning service providers
• Established relationship with Industry based superannuation funds.
• Access to union based banking through Members Equity Bank
• Access to Union owned holiday units at special member rates.

Industry News – keeps you in the loop

We believe that it’s important that we keep you up to date with what is going on in your industry and in the union and union movement generally. Five times a year we produce an industry news for each division of the union. Your industry news will be delivered to you electronically where you have provides us with your email address and by post if you do not have email

10 Reasons to be Union

1. People who belong to unions have better wages and conditions than non-union members: Did you know that union members on average earn 15% more than non-union members!
2. Unionised workplaces have better health and safety conditions and have more say in their working conditions.
3. Union members have better job security – protection from unfair treatment, support if unfairly dismissed and much better redundancy entitlements.
4. Overtime rates, annual leave, equal pay for women, redundancy agreements, long service leave payments, maternity leave, leave loading, penalty rates, maximum working hours, the weekend! These are all conditions fought and won by unions.
5. Unions collectively and individually support education and training for employees and lobby for on-the-job training for members. The benefits flow onto everyone.
6. The Union movement has successfully campaigned to overturn unjust laws such as WorkChoices and has lobbied state and federal governments for better laws to protect low paid workers such as outworkers.
7. People who are active in their unions learn heaps about their working environment and how it can be improved – they can help fellow workers and are part of a strong network of people across their industry.
8. In tough economic times, employers will try to cut jobs and increase productivity – it is unions who make sure big companies don’t put profit before people.
9. Unions help to break down barriers in workplaces – they unite workers and create a community so workers don’t feel isolated and fearful of employers.
10. Unions are involved in important social and community issues. The environment, women’s movement, Aboriginal reconciliation, rebuilding East Timor and other overseas aid, are just some of the social justice issues unions become involved with. Unions often are the only voice of opposition in countries with undemocratic regimes like Zimbabwe.

What we believe in and how we organise

At the ASU members ARE the Union;

We are a democratic union – members decide what we do;

Our delegates are our leaders and are elected by the members;

Together we build power in our workplaces and industries.

We believe in collective action and we act in solidarity with others.

Click here to download this brochure.

ASU and the Environment

The ASU believes that humans are contributing to dangerous climate change by polluting the atmosphere. We know this is true as 99% of the world's scientists say this is a fact. We also know that if nothing is done about climate change working people will be the worst affected, with natural disasters, droughts and more severe weather.

Read more...