Australian unions have endorsed the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) support for co-operative operations, recognising the critical role they play in advancing the organisation’s Global Employment Agenda and promoting decent work.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said the 2012 ACTU Congress had endorsed the position in support of co-operatives as they had a proven record of creating and sustaining employment, now providing more than 100 million jobs globally.
“Co-operatives have also been more resilient to the deepening global economic and jobs crisis than other sectors,” Ms Kearney said. “Trade unions and co-operatives have a long association in this country. Industry...
Better rights for casual and contract workers, a much larger investment in Australia’s workforce and an overhaul of our welfare system will be the building blocks of reforms to undo the damage caused by the spread of insecure work.
The ACTU Congress today welcomed the report of the Independent Inquiry into Insecure Work, Lives on Hold: Unlocking the potential of Australia’s workforce, which analyses the extent of the problem now affecting 40% of the workforce and sets out possible solutions.
The report is the result of a six month national inquiry, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister...
Dave Oliver has been elected as the new ACTU Secretary at the union movement’s Congress in Sydney today. Mr Oliver was elected unopposed to replace Jeff Lawrence, who did not seek re-nomination after five years in the position.
Mr Oliver, who comes to the ACTU after five years as National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said he was honoured to be entrusted with representing working Australians and their families.
“Australian workers face a multitude of daily pressures to earn enough to meet their cost of living expenses, balance their working and family lives, and plan for...
Young people are among the most vulnerable workers and will benefit from a renewed union push for better workplace protections, entitlements and representation.
This week’s ACTU Congress will endorse a new Young Workers’ Policy aimed at better representing an often forgotten group in the workforce, young workers.
The policy will be debated tomorrow at the inaugural ACTU Youth Congress in Sydney. The keynote speaker is Australian Workers’ Union National Secretary Paul Howes, who, at 30, is the youngest national leader in the Australian union movement.
The first-ever ACTU Youth Congress will explore new ways to improve the...
Reforms to make the wealthiest Australians pay their fair share of tax must be stepped up, including the introduction of a new “millionaires’ tax”.
At next week’s ACTU Congress, unions will discuss proposals to shift the tax burden off the shoulders of low and middle income Australians, as part of an agenda to shape a fairer and stronger economic system.
ACTU Assistant Secretary Tim Lyons said tax reforms announced in this week’s Federal Budget had made the system more progressive, but there was much more that could be done to ensure Australia’s wealthy pay their fair share.
