- by Graham Holton
- The Guardian
- Issue #2202
Photo: Anna Pha
What did the unions ever do for you? Plenty! Some of the most significant improvements in the lives of Australians were achieved by unions. The list includes the eight-hour day, the five-day working week, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, long service leave, penalty rates, minimum wages, redundancy pay, superannuation, workers’ compensation, workplace health and safety laws, equal pay, unfair dismissal protections, maternity and parental leave, stronger anti-discrimination protections, and much more.
Many workplace rights were won by trade union campaigns, negotiating with political parties, governments, courts, and community organisations. Unions were the driving force in initiating changes that courts later embedded into law. Also, unions campaigned for broader social achievements beyond the workplace. These include universal healthcare (Medicare), public education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and retirement income security.
Since the 1990s, unions have negotiated Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) that provide benefits beyond the legal minimum. These include higher wages, additional leave, better redundancy provisions, improved parental leave, professional development, and enhanced consultation rights.
Recent bargaining campaigns helped secure flexible working arrangements, family and domestic violence leave, better rostering practices, mental health initiatives, and the ‘right to disconnect’ into federal workplace law.
The first major union achievement in Australia was the Eight-Hour Day (1850s–1860s), making Australia one of the first countries in the world to establish the eight-hour day in many industries. Workers campaigned for 8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, and 8 hours rest. Before this, 10 - 14 hour working days were common. The campaign was mentioned by Lenin, who paid attention to developments here.
Up until the 1960s Australians worked six days a week. You enjoy a two-day weekend because unions campaigned for paid holidays and annual leave. Most full-time employees now receive four weeks paid annual leave, with five weeks in some shift-working industries.
Australia pioneered long service leave after union advocacy and legislation. Paid personal (sick) leave was won through industrial campaigns and incorporated into awards and legislation. Union and labour movement campaigns contributed to the recognition and expansion of paid public holidays.
Major campaigns resulted in the recognition that women should receive equal pay for work of equal or comparable value equal pay for women, removing many discriminatory wage scales. For decades unions campaigned for maternity leave, first unpaid then paid, as well as protection against dismissal due to pregnancy. Then government-funded paid parental leave was introduced. Employer-funded paid parental leave is now part of many EBAs. Present campaigns are to support parental leave for both parents.
Union campaigns helped achieve safety legislation, workplace inspections, health and safety representatives, protective equipment, training requirements, safer machinery, and hazard reporting systems. Fatal workplace injuries have declined substantially, with regulation, technology, employer practices, and worker awareness contributing.
Unions advocated for compensation for workers injured at the work place, including medical expenses, income replacement, rehabilitation, and compensation for permanent impairment. Australia was one of first countries to have an enforceable minimum wage. Unions secured penalty rates through industrial awards and bargaining, to get higher pay for night work, weekend work, public holidays, and overtime.
Unions have supported campaigns for workplace protections against discrimination based on sex, race, disability, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation and family responsibilities. Unions helped improve apprenticeship wages, training standards, qualification frameworks, and licensing requirements in skilled trades.
Workers receive redundancy entitlements if their position is made redundant, subject to legal eligibility and employer size. These protections developed through industrial cases and legislation, with unions playing an important advocacy role.
Today most workers have legal protections against unfair dismissal, achieved through industrial tribunals and legislation, with sustained union support. Trade unions also advocated for restrictions on child labour, compulsory education, and minimum working ages.
It’s important to remember that none of the good conditions mentioned here enforce themselves. Every day unions fight to keep and improve conditions. If you’re working, join yours!
