The opening months of 2017 have been fast and furious for Queensland unions.
Big business has convinced the Fair Work Commission to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates, and the federal Coalition is supporting what would be the largest pay cut for workers since the Great Depression.
There was a massive community turnout at #EnoughisEnough rallies in Brisbane and the Gold Coast on 9 March, showing the federal government that working people will stand up against these attacks on penalty rates, rights at work and workplace safety!
Thousands at those events also spoke out against corporate evasion of workplace laws, all as workers go backwards in wages while corporate giants have taxes cut!
The next step is stopping these wage cuts hitting workers in our clubs!
Elsewhere union members have been active and successful in early education, as well as saving funding for a service that assists working women.
There’s been progress on important issues at a state level, with input from union members instrumental in a new state Industrial Relations Act that addresses the industrial vandalism of the Newman LNP years.
Other campaigns and actions are underway. All this and much more on our wrap-up page.
Ros McLennan
General Secretary
Queensland Council of Unions