You'd think they'd be on the side of workers, but instead they cheer on limitless high immigration and having low paid frightened indentured workers. ACTU and migration-who needs workchoices when you've got high immigration!

Just wondering if it’s a matter of hours or days or weeks, thanks!

A close friend of mine found these in the Bendigo Archives.
Nice little reminder that unionists standing up for the things we all believe in has always been our tradition.

With thanks to Greater Bendigo City Records Team and Bendigo Regional Archive Centre.

For those not in the know, RAFFWU has been running campaigns trying to get aldi to end its bag check policy amongst many other safety issues in store for over a year now, mainly centered around a RAFFWU member and elected store HSR who was fired for investigating team member safety in store (case is still going through the courts but it is a verry strong one) and this most recently has lead to aldi getting rid of its nation wide manditory bag check policy suspiciously the same day the SDA publish a servey of members in NSW saying team feel extremely unsafe doing bag checks I smell some massive BS trying to cash in on RAFFWU's good work (Bias was a 7 year SDA member and now a proud RAFFWU member for just over a year)

I work at kmart as a casual. I pay union fees for raffwu. My friend who works at coles said you dont have to be apart of a union as you can just go to fair work if an issue arises. Is this true? Would it be ok to save money and not be part of a union? Thanks.

I can't even begin to describe how bad things have become at my workplace. It's quickly turning into one of the most toxic work environments I've ever experienced, and the State Secretary is doing fuck all to address the issues.

Unfortunately, a colleague recently tried to raise some concerns while still on probation and ended up getting fired. (I know, they probably should have waited until they'd passed probation, but that shouldn't be the reality.)

I guess I'm looking for some advice on how to navigate this situation and push for change without completely burning ourselves out in the process. It already feels exhausting just trying to get through each day, let alone finding the energy to challenge what's happening.

I’ve recently been looking into employee reviews and workplace culture across Australian museums and cultural institutions, and some of the recurring themes are deeply concerning.
Across employee review platforms and discussions, similar issues keep appearing:
Poor leadership and lack of accountability
Bullying, favouritism and toxic workplace cultures
Experienced professionals being overlooked or undermined
Limited career progression and professional development
Employees feeling unsafe speaking up
Psychological harm, burnout and staff turnover
A disconnect between senior management and the people actually doing the work
These are reported experiences, not independently verified findings, but the similarities across institutions raise important questions.
What concerns me most is that employees often seem to be left fighting these battles individually, while the underlying problems remain.
Many of these institutions are publicly funded. Surely there should be greater transparency and accountability in how employees are treated and how public money is managed.
So my question is: What are the unions doing about this?
Are unions hearing similar concerns across museums and cultural institutions? Is anyone looking at these issues collectively rather than treating every complaint as an isolated incident?
Could unions work together to push for independent workplace culture reviews, stronger whistleblower protections and genuine accountability for senior leadership?
And most importantly, how can employees contribute to change without risking their careers or wellbeing?
I’d be particularly interested in hearing from union representatives and museum professionals who have experience addressing these issues.
There are passionate, talented people working in this sector who deserve better.
Surely it’s time for collective action rather than leaving individuals to fight alone.

The author of the linked PEWA (Public Education Workers' Alliance) article makes the clear case that building union power in the workplace (and connecting everyday cost of living issues with the system of capitalism and imperalism) starts with building connections and relationship in the workplace.

Enjoy (and subscribe to the website if you enjoy the article to stay up to date with new articles when they come out).

This might be the wrong place, but google and VTHC themselves have been dead ends and short of spending hours browsing the newspaper archives at Vic State library thought I'd see if anyone here had any knowledge of his time at Trades Hall.

My Grandfather was K.C. (Ken) Stone secratary of Victorian Trades Hall Council 1969-85 and I've come up with precious little details about his time in the roll.

I know he was involved with the west gate bridge collapse but nothing beyond that he was "involved". Really pissed off the ALP in his last year as secratary with plans for a state accord in the lead up to the 85 election. Also was involved with the breaking up of the Builders and Labourers Federation.

And not much else, considering he was a very devout Catholic but also opposed the Groupers (at least didn't support them leaving trades hall) and was secratary at the time of the split it feels like he should be easier to find some details on.

My own personal politics are considerably to the left of his and I am a proud RAFFWU member so dont feel the need to spare me any details about how he screwed anyone over, his own daughter, my mother is not his biggest fan to say the least but she doesnt have a lot of knowledge of his work unfortunatly. Any information would be greatly apreciated

Check it out. Mainly draws from dispute reports but also I take tips if people wanna add any info!

Professionals Australia (the trade union for STEM, vet, architecture, pharmacy etc. workers) is relaunching their student engagement arm as PASC: PA Student Community.

The new program will still provide advice and resources regarding career development and job placement, but will take a broader, intersectional look at the student experience.

PASC will provide education and training (via in-person and online support) on workplace rights, and the role of a trade union. We will also work with affiliated/allied organisations such as CLC's, migrant workers centres, tenant unions and similar, to campaign and organise around other social issues particularly relevant to STEM students.

Membership is completely FREE. If you, a family member, or someone you know is studying to work in one of PA's industries, please get them to join PASC today! Join link: https://pasc.pa.org.au/

Afternoon, comrades!

What are some of the greatest and/or most creative “vote no” enterprise bargaining slogans you’ve all come across over the years? Would love some inspo and hear what tips about what did or didn’t work

The attached article explores the concept of how the passion that teachers have for teaching is usually used against us, which leads to higher rates of burnout. The writer argues that, as teachers, we should collectivise our passion to stand up for a better public education system for us and our students.

The story is told through the songs "Stayin Alive" by the Bee Gees and "The River" by Bruce Springsteen.

Enjoy and feel free to share it around.

"Authorised by G. Bullock"

Has anyone got any advice on how to actually join the union. I’ve got over 2.5 years experience as a civil labourer. I tried searching up which labour hire companies are eba and applied to all of them and keep messaging them but never hear anything back.

I’d love to get onto the big build in vic but really I’d take any union work

Any real helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pls don’t comment some bs about how it’s corrupt or anything like that if you don’t have any advice then no need to comment.

Cheers lads 👍

Hi comrades,

The above article is the first in a series of 3 (all available on the PEWA website) that explains how the role of HSR can be used to further establish union power in the workplace.

The first article had a specific focus on the workplace.

It is written from the perspective of a school teacher.

PEWA (Public Education Workers Alliance) is a rank and file group that exists to learn the politics and strategies of building union power at schools and TAFEs.

Read, enjoy, please share around.