News - Australian Services Union NSW & ACT Branch

Thank you to the heroes of 2020

Thank you to all the essential workers for your incredible work during this difficult year. And a huge shout out to the Covid Tracers for doing all you can to keep us safe. Essential workers are the heroes of 2020.

The College: New Training for ASU members

Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek MP has officially launched The College - the professional voice of community and disability practitioners. Union members working in the sector now have access to an online catalogue of professional development courses and training opportunities. Find out more and register for the free courses scheduled this Summer. Visit: www.accdp.org.au/training.

Congratulations from former PM Julia Gillard

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard congratulates members of the Australian Services Union for winning Equal Pay. Julia Gillard was Prime Minister in 2012 when union members won Equal Pay for community and disability workers in Australia. Today, workers are between $200 and $650 better off each week thanks to the campaign.

Working from Home When Home Isn't Safe

Reports continue to show that there has been an alarming increase in violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many people experiencing family violence, their workplace is the only safe place. It is a space where arrangements can be safely made to leave family violence. Working from home has now made workplaces unsafe for many workers.

In association with Unions NSW and RDVSA, the ASU has developed a guide to "Working From Home - when home isn't safe".

Celebrate Equal Pay - the dance!

Community and Disability workers are celebrating winning Equal Pay. Workers are between $200 and $650 better off each week because the Australian Services Union won Equal Pay. Our next pay rise is on December 1, 2020 - and we're going to celebrate! Learn the dance with colleagues and clients - and get ready for our December 2nd zoom Equal Pay Party!

Cuts Hurt Everybody - Union Rally Outside Parliament House

Deputy Secretary Judith Wright joined a union rally outside NSW Parliament House today after the NSW Government announced its cruel plan to cut the wages of 1 in 10 workers in NSW.

It was nurses, teachers, firies, transport workers, water workers and other public sector workers who kept us safe during this pandemic.

This decision is wrong, and will only lengthen our recession.

The reality is these cuts hurt everybody because they withdraw over $3 Billion in spending from local communities and small businesses.

We Won't Wait: 16 Days of Action Launch

Join our online launch of our 16 Days of Action for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the new workplace resource “Working From Home Isn’t Safe When Home Isn’t Safe: How to respond to family & domestic violence in home-based workplaces.”

Register here.

Upturn: In Conversation with Tanya Plibersek MP

Join ASU NSW Secretary Natalie Lang in conversation with Tanya Plibersek, former Minister for Community Services and Disability Reform Jenny Macklin, and writer and economist Stephen Koukoulas.

When: 6pm 24 November 2020

Register Here

Qantas Nasty Christmas Suprise

Passengers beware: Qantas to axe customer facing and lost baggage services in nasty Christmas surprise.

As borders re-open, travellers are being warned to expect delays and lost baggage problems with Qantas announcing they will sack key customer service workers in the holiday season.

The Australian Services Union is furious at the move which would see hundreds of job cuts.

NSW Government Betrayal

Today ASU members heard the shocking news that the NSW Government will reduce public sector wage increases to a maximum of just 1.5% per year over the next three years.