A union is an organised group of workers who collectively use their strength to raise issues and have a voice in the workplace. Through a union, members are provided with information, advice, and support to ensure that they are fairly rewarded for their work.

Unions were started by working people to help workers know and access their rights. Work rights include fair wages, reasonable work hours, getting paid for the hours you work, workplace health and safety protections, employment training, and other work-related needs. 

Through the collective strength and influence of workers, unions have helped improve working conditions and won important changes for people in the workforce. This includes holiday pay, equal pay for women, superannuation, sick pay, and the eight-hour work day.

Who can join a union?

Every worker can join a union. Whether you’re a full-time, part-time, casual, temporary, apprentice, trainee or contract worker, you’re eligible to become a union member. Look on the Australian Unions website to find what union suits your line of work!

Why join?

Being part of a union helps to protect your rights at work and to access advice and support from experts and workplace delegates. Especially for young people starting out in the workforce, unions are really helpful as they can protect your rights as a minimum wage worker. Unions provide workers with security and professional assistance surrounding different work-related issues such as:

• Your wages and entitlements
• Discrimination and harassment at work
• Work-related injuries or illness
• Superannuation
• Bargaining for better pay and conditions

As a union member, you gain strength and bargaining power from the collective influence of the union. Instead of an individual representing yourself, the union acts as a collective body of workers representing your best interests and the interests of other workers.

How much does it cost to be a union member?

Most union fees are around $10 per week but this also depends on the hours you work and the rate you are paid. All union fees in Australia are fully tax deductible — this means that when you do your tax return, you’ll be reimbursed for all union fees you’ve paid in the financial year.

How do I join a union?

When you begin a new job you should be made aware of the union representative at your workplace. Every workplace has a union rep you can go to and ask them how to join the right union for your job. If you are unsure about what the right union is for you, you can call Australian Unions on 1300 486 466 or visit their website to gain assistance.

Unions are SO important to maintaining your rights at work, check out Your Work Rights for more information.