BEING A UNION MEMBER PROTECTS YOU AT WORK
Being a union member protects you at work
If you had an expensive car, would you insure it? Do you insure your house or other possessions?
Do you ever think of taking out medical insurance?
Union membership is a bit like insurance. It's a way of making your job as safe as possible.
It means you always have someone to call if you can't get the info you need out of your Human Resources Department (if you have one). Someone to ask if you're in a spot of bother, there's talk of redundancies, or you're worried you're not being paid properly.
And because the union knows what happens across many workplaces, we can tell you what's a reasonable standard for workplaces like yours.
We're experts in working conditions - and we can help you with yours.
Being a union member gives you a say
Industrial awards and enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) are negotiated by the union on your behalf.
This work is paid for by members, and members get a say in what is negotiated for your workplace.
So if you're a member, you get a say.
Under Australian law, you have a right to be a union member, and you must not be discriminated against for being a member. So, given that membership protects you and gives you a say, why not be part of it?
There's strength in numbers
There is clear evidence [source] across many industries that the more union members there are, the better the pay and conditions.
Amongst teachers for example, the highest level of union membership (about 80 per cent) is found in Queensland.
It's no coincidence that Queensland teachers have the highest rates of pay of any teachers in Australia.
Making workplaces better
The CWU is committed to pursuing the best way to get favourable outcomes for our members.
Where employers are willing to negotiate and work collaboratively, we will work with your employer to identify the issues of concern, represent you and other staff to your employer and find effective solutions to improve your work conditions and environment.
We find that working together is the best and quickest way to get results for our members. And this way, you don't have the pressure of having to negotiate with your boss yourself and you are represented by experts in workplace relations.
Sometimes we need to use all the legal powers available to make your voice heard. That might mean the union supporting you and your workplace colleagues taking industrial action or getting a hearing before an independent arbitrator, like Fair Work Australia.
The union is here to help you
As a member, you can call your union at any time to get advice on employment issues. You might want to know how to lodge a grievance, if your pay rate is correct or which award you're covered by.
Or you might want to know what sick leave or compassionate leave entitlements you have, or whether you're entitled to overtime.
Sometimes you might need help with something more serious, like redundancy or retrenchment, a grievance, workers compensation or unfair dismissal.
The union's staff are experts in these areas. We can talk by phone, communicate by email, or meet in person if it is necessary.
We're your own personal expert advisory service!
If an issue gets really serious, the union may also agree to represent you in a formal industrial hearing.
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