There is a greater need for working Australians to be members of a Union to protect their jobs, wages and conditions, in these most difficult economic times.
New ABS data released shows there has been a lift in Union membership of more than 56,000 workers and that, excluding casual workers, almost one in four (24%) employees in Australia are members of a union.
The data shows there are more than 1,750,000 workers that are members of a Union and that Union members earn, on average, $96.00 a week more than non-members.
The new data is positive considering most of the Howard Governments WorkChoices IR laws were still in place when the ABS survey took place.
- This data shows Union are still relevant and strong.
- In these tough economic times it is especially important for workers to be members of a Union.
- Unions help protect jobs as well as workers wages and conditions.
- In the economic downturn, it is all the more important that workers support each other through their Unions.
- We are working hard to protect as many jobs as possible and to safeguard the wages, conditions and entitlements of employee’s affected by the crisis.
Employers Need to Consult with Workers
Australian businesses must stop taking the easy option and sacking staff during the economic downturn.
The sharp rise in unemployment in March confirms that employers, workers and Unions must work together to minimise job losses during the downturn.
Over the last two months we have seen short-term decisions to axe hundreds of jobs by profitable Australian companies such as Pacific Brands, Rio Tinto and Telstra that will have devastating consequences not just for the individuals made redundant, but for the entire regional communities. Even if it means taking a hit to their bottom line, big companies must do all they can to avoid sacking workers.
Workers have often been with a company longer and know their business and industry better than senior management. Along with their Union representatives, they can help come up with solutions to keep jobs. Employers have nothing to gain by keeping their workforce in the dark.
As money begins to flow from the Governments stimulus package Unions have called for strings to be attached so that Australian job creation and retention is the top priority.
Unions have proposed new National Interest Expenditures Principles for Government spending that would maximise Australian jobs and local content, protect jobs security and workers rights, improve corporate governance and accountability, and place caps on Executive remuneration and bonuses. These principles should apply to all Government funding.
The Banks must also play their part by keeping lines of credit open to business and also passing on all interest rate cuts.
Yours in Solidarity
Barry Tubner
