Campaigns

Unions have spearheaded some of the most fundamental workplace struggles in Australia’s history, and accomplished major victories which continue to have positive impacts on the lives of working Australians and their families today. Unions continue to fight for your rights at work with new campaigns.


  Your Rights at Work was the most successful union and community campaign in Australian election history. The ongoing campaign began four years ago when the Howard Government announced sweeping changes to workplace laws that would strip away basic rights at work.  
  The ACTU has been at the forefront of the push to protect jobs from the earliest signs of the global financial crisis. We have argued for stimulus measures, proposed innovative ways of preserving jobs while retraining and reskilling the workforce.  
  Workplace health and safety is core union business. For over 150 years, Australian unions have campaigned to reduce death, injury and illness at work.  
  Climate change is the most pressing social and economic challenge we face, and Australians will be hit hard if we do not respond urgently to climate change.  
  Rights on Site is the campaign to get rid of the Australian Building and Construction Commission and make all Australian workers equal before the law.  
  The new national paid maternity leave scheme is a big win for Australian women and their families. After 30 years of campaigning women will now have support to keep their jobs and financial security when they have a baby.  
  International brings attention to international union news, global trade and labour standards and solidarity.