ASU Women

“The ASU has taken a very strong stand against domestic violence. That’s shown in the push for the “We Won’t Wait” campaign... they’re passionate about it, and for me as an ASU member that means a lot because it means that the women that I work with matter to my union.”

The Australian Services Union draws on our collective strength to deliver better pay, conditions and support that is tailored to your unique needs.

Throughout our history, the Australian Services Union have fought for women to be recognised for their work. Our Equal Pay campaign, we delivered fairer pay for the female dominated, Social and Community Services sector when the Federal Government and Fair Work Commission recognised that women’s work was not being equally financially rewarded. This resulted in a 23 - 45% pay increase across the sector. This was the biggest win an Australian union has ever achieved for a female dominated industry.

The ASU struck the first agreement in the country to give workers domestic violence leave. This leave is now available to millions of Australians. Today, we remain a critical player for the “We Won’t Wait” campaign that strives for paid domestic violence leave to be included in the National Employment Standards, allowing all workers to access this leave, when they need it. We have come a long way. But we have a long way to go.

Getting involved with your union means you can help drive campaigns for pay equity, quality jobs with family friendly work arrangements, improved superannuation, accessible and affordable child care and out of school hours care, and effective equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation. The ASU is alongside our members every step of the way.

Harassed or discriminated against in your workplace?

The Australian Services Union is here to support you if you are experiencing harassment and/or discrimination of any kind.

As a union member, your first port of call is your local union delegate and shop steward. Or you can contact us here .

We’re here for you. Nobody should have to put up with harassment or discrimination in the workplace

ASU Pride
“As a long-term member of the ASU, they have always been be my side in our fight for equality”

ASU members stand with members of the LGBTIQ+ community and actively support equality.

99% of the work we do as union members is about fighting for our right to decent, safe well-paying work. But that's one fight in a larger battle to build a just and fair society for everyone. 

We can't just build a just and fair society for everyone while our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender workmates are treated differently to other workers. They have to have the same right to happiness as every other union member and the same right to have their loving committed relationships treated equally. 

We stand up and fight for all workers because equality is union business.  

 

AIM - ASU Indigenous Members
"Unions have always had a history with the Indigenous cultures here in Australia, so talking to other people and meeting other people in that situation actually made me feel like I was home more, that I was more welcome here." 

ASU Indigenous Members (AIM) share unique connections and interests. There are many Indigenous members working in industries covered by the ASU around Australia.

The ASU is active on Indigenous issues within the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the various state and regional trades and labour councils. Read more about the ACTU's support for Indigenous workers.

First Nations Workers' Alliance (FNWA)

ASU are part of the FNWA to fight for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. Community Development Program (CDP) workers in particular are facing discriminatory treatment and exploitation.

As ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said at the 2017 Garma Festival: “People are working, some of them in jobs they were once paid award wages for and often for for-profit companies. The employers are getting CDP workers for free.”

More info: Remote work-for-the-dole scheme is racist, ACTU head Sally McManus says, by Helen Davidson, The Guardian, 6 August 2017

You can join FNWA here: https://fnwa.org.au/membership-account/membership-levels/

CDP workers join for free, and other union members can also join to support their fellow workers.

At the FNWA website you will be able to link in with other members, get updates, post questions, participate in forums and keep up to date with any action being taken by the FNWA.

ASU Award coverage for indigenous members

Large numbers of ASU Indigenous members work in the social & community services sector, local government and Aboriginal Community Councils and Organisations. In these industries ASU general industry awards cover the conditions of Indigenous members in the same way they cover non-Indigenous members. Some general industry awards cover particular Indigenous issues such as cultural leave. ASU were leaders in ensuring that Torres Strait Islanders were included in this definition.

For more information about awards covering Indigenous workers, please contact us