ACTU

Lowest Paid Workers Get 42 Cent Per Hour Pay Rise

 

The lowest paid workers in Australia have been granted a measly 42 cents extra per hour this week.

The so called ‘Fair Work Commission’ only managed to increase the wages of 1.8 million workers by $16 per week. 

The union movement was asking for a minimum rise of $27 a week to stop growing inequality.

ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said unions were extremely disappointed with the decision. 

The minimum wage in Australia is now less than half the average wage.

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WGAR News: International anger swelling at plans to evict Australian Aborigines from ancestral lands: Diet Simon, Linksunten Indymedia

Newsletter date: 3 May 2015

Contents:

* News Round-Up: Diet Simon, Linksunten Indymedia: International anger swelling at plans to evict Australian Aborigines from ancestral lands
* Summary of Analysis: Diet Simon, Linksunten Indymedia: French researchers: "Aboriginal communities should not be closed!"

WGAR News: Unions Slam Closure Of Remote Aboriginal Communities In WA: Amy McQuire, New Matilda

Newsletter date: 19 April 2015

Contents:

* Analysis / Opinion: Mia Pepper, Eco-Shout: Radioactive racism in the Wild West - WA takes aim at remote communities

* Analysis / Opinion: Amy McQuire, New Matilda: Unions Slam Closure Of Remote Aboriginal Communities In WA

* News Analysis: Shar Adams, Epoch Times: Australia: Indigenous Affairs Take Backward Step [Featuring Jon Altman]

Background: Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA

Last updated: 5 October 2015

Plans to close Aboriginal homelands / remote communities in WA and SA (and NT?)

Current: WGAR Background: Intervention into Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal communities by the Federal government: https://indymedia.org.au/2015/06/08/wgar-background-intervention-into-no...

ACTU press release: Unions call on Indonesia to release arrested nurses

ACTU Press Release March 29th Australian unions have called on the Indonesian Government to respect international labour Conventions and human and trade union rights following the arrest of five nurses in West Papua. ACTU President Ged Kearney said it was outrageous that the nurses had been detained for nine days and were reportedly subjected to long periods of police interrogation, simply because they had supported an industrial campaign to ensure they received their contracted entitlements.

Climate deniers rally while poll finds majority support carbon tax

Canberra was the focus of action today over climate change and the Government's proposed carbon tax, with an action for climate change petition presented, youth climate activists from AYCC in town to meet politicians, and the No Tax on Carbon rally attended by climate deniers and conservatives that had been actively promoted on shock-jock talk back radio as a "people's tax revolt".

People opposed to a carbon tax rallied at noon in Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane. The protest in Canberra was organised by the Consumers and Taxpayers Assoc Inc. and 2GB broadcaster Chris Smith.

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Minimum wage rise less than inflation

Fair Work Australia this week lifted the minimum wage by $26 a week or 69c an hour. The minimum wage is now $15 an hour or $569.90 per week. Whilst the agreement was greeted by the ACTU as a very good outcome for working Australians, it actually represents a cut in real wages, the 4.8 percent increase is below the official Consumer Price Index, which has risen 5.4 percent over the past 21 months since the last rise.

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Unions fight Building Commission draconian powers and prosecution of Ark Tribe

Hundreds of building workers rallied in cities across Australia on Friday, October 30, in support of Adelaide construction worker Ark Tribe, who is charged with 'failing to attend to answer questions' at the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) about a stop-work meeting. The commission has the power to compulsory interrogate and impose fines and jail building workers who do not co-operate. A Jail term of up to 6 months could be imposed.

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As unemployment bites, unions increase membership, push for paid maternity leave

Union membership has increased by 56,000 according to Bureau of Statistics data released 17 April, with more than 1,750,000 workers being union members and unions now covering 24% of employees (excluding casuals). While union membership is up, unemployment is also up with an official unemployment rate of 5.7%. But according to the Australia Institute the real rate of unemployment may be 11.7 per cent, when 'hidden unemployed' are taken into account.

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