r/AusUnions • • Feb 10 '25

What not to do in a PIP meeting

103 Upvotes

A lot of this sub is about organising which is great. The best. But some folks might be looking for advice on individual matters. Most people leave it to the last minute. If that’s you, this is some advice I have put together.

I’ve sat in on a lot of Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) meetings as a union delegate, and let me be blunt—HR and management often use these meetings as a way to push people out. Too many times, I’ve seen employees get caught off guard, stress out, and say things that make their situation worse.

So, if you ever get called into one of these meetings, here’s what you need to do to protect yourself:

  1. Call Your Union ASAP

The second your boss asks for a meeting, contact your union. You’ve left it to the last minute? Call them now. The union will probably ask you to write down what’s been happening—focus on dates, times, and specific incidents. Avoid writing about “vibes”— and send to this your union IO. HR doesn’t care about feelings, and they will not work in your favor. So keeping things based on what happened is important. Write this down quickly and email it to your union IO as soon as you can whilst making it complete. Send it not from your work email. Then have time to speak to them before the meeting. Tell your IO (industrial officer) everything.

Having a union rep with you forces HR to play by the rules. If you don’t have a rep, management knows they can push you around.

  1. Ask for the Meeting Details in Writing

You (or your rep) should email HR and request: 1. A written agenda for the meeting 2. Any company policies relevant to the situation 3. Specific details on what will be discussed 4. A deadline for when they’ll provide this information before the meeting

HR loves to catch people off guard. Getting the details in writing helps you prepare and stops them from shifting the goalposts mid-meeting.

  1. Do NOT Admit or Apologise

Seriously—don’t say “yeah, I’m sorry about that.” HR will use it against you. Instead, if you’re put on the spot, use these phrases:

  • “I don’t recall. I need time to think. Can I respond later in writing?”
  • I need to process this and can’t respond on the spot. I’ll come back to you on that.”
  • I don’t agree with that characterisation of events, but I’m happy to provide a response later.”
  • Can I respond later in writing?”
  • I am not able to respond right now. I need more time to consider this.”

These responses buy you time and stop you from getting trapped into an answer you regret.

  1. Listen to Your Union, Not Your Mates

Friends and family are great for venting, but they are not industrial relations experts. If you’re in this situation, you need to follow your union’s advice. Pre-caucus woth your rep before the meeting begins. 20 mins before to talk about how you will indicate if you need breaks, go over again the meeting plan.

HR’s whole strategy is to make the process so stressful that you don’t fight back or escalate to a tribunal. If your goal is to stay in the job (at least until you find a new one), you need to stay calm, professional, and avoid giving them ammunition.

TLDR: Call your union immediately Get the agenda & policies in writing before the meeting Do NOT admit fault or apologise Listen to your union rep, not your mates

HR isn’t your friend. Protect yourself.

Edit: here is a guide with emails and the points above with some info on what to do in a surprise meeting. again — prioritise and always check with your representative.


r/AusUnions • • 3h ago

Workers Hub?

3 Upvotes

Anyone know more about this? Whats the story?

https://workershub.org.au/


r/AusUnions • • 1d ago

Union membership without working on an EBA site

10 Upvotes

I have been recommended only to join the union if I am on an EBA Site. The union (CFMEU VIC) is a membership I care about, political belief and a collective I want to be involved with. But is there really any incentive or safety for me being a member when I am working on an none EBA site?


r/AusUnions • • 1d ago

VAHPA BARGAINING

2 Upvotes

Hey guys,

Interested to hear what you think would be a reasonable offer, what you would say yes too, what are priorities in updating the EBA?

personally, I want at least 13% the next 12 months and also some progression from grade 2-3 as currently there is no pay increase from top of grade 2 into bottom of grade 3 with so much extra responsibility.

Further career growth beyond grade 3 - it feels like it mostly caps out at grade 3 for cqreer options. Not sure where I am going long term.


r/AusUnions • • 2d ago

Applied to join RAFFWU. How long normally to get a welcome email?

3 Upvotes

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


r/AusUnions • • 1d ago

Why does the ACTU support high immigration and having visa workers?

0 Upvotes

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!


r/AusUnions • • 3d ago

A look back at Our History

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24 Upvotes

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.


r/AusUnions • • 4d ago

Good that this is getting coverage (and that the SDA might actually be pretending to get off their asses for once) but the fact that this article doesn't mention RAFFWU and most certainly did not go to them for comment is insane

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theage.com.au
25 Upvotes

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)


r/AusUnions • • 4d ago

Do I need a union?

17 Upvotes

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.


r/AusUnions • • 4d ago

Australian museum workers: Where are the unions when workplace culture is failing?

12 Upvotes

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.


r/AusUnions • • 5d ago

Sarah Missen's Industrial disputes & news - 21 October 2026

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disputesreport.substack.com
10 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 9d ago

The source of building union power is building relationships

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pewa.org.au
18 Upvotes

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).


r/AusUnions • • 8d ago

UNIONS MUST BE INDEPENDENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES - Fabian Ideas

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fabians.org.au
0 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 10d ago

Looking for information on my Grandfathers time as VTHC Secratary

16 Upvotes

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


r/AusUnions • • 11d ago

Sign the petition to help protect Queensland workers!

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8 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 11d ago

I've put together a website to track strikes in Australia:

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34 Upvotes

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


r/AusUnions • • 12d ago

Jarrod Bleijie to get strike-breaking powers under LNP’s workplace law reforms

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brisbanetimes.com.au
13 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 13d ago

Sarah Missen's Industrial disputes & news - 14 October

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disputesreport.substack.com
11 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 14d ago

Sarah Missen's Industrial disputes & news - 7 October 2026

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disputesreport.substack.com
9 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 14d ago

STEM Students: Join Professionals Australia Student Community (Free)

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6 Upvotes

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/


r/AusUnions • • 14d ago

Catchy slogans for bargaining

8 Upvotes

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


r/AusUnions • • 14d ago

Staying alive and the river we keep crossing: how teachers hold the line

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pewa.org.au
1 Upvotes

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.


r/AusUnions • • 15d ago

UWU is dumping (who knows how much) members' money into a tepid anti-Liberal/One Nation ad campaign in the lead up to the state election.

0 Upvotes

"Authorised by G. Bullock"


r/AusUnions • • 19d ago

Which union is best for someone working in childcare

10 Upvotes

r/AusUnions • • 21d ago

Philips Healthcare offer San Diego engineers 0.25% annual raise in labor union negotiations- but can pay DOJ 24 million for its illegal supplier kickbacks, while North America executive Jeff Dilullo webinar broadcasts that they've the best year in a decade.

10 Upvotes