Media releases ACTU media releases are ordered chronologically. Use the advanced search function to find media releases on specific topics.  Subscribe to media release updates. ACTU media enquiries Mark Phillips Media Coordinator T: (03) 8676 7266 F: (03) 9600 0050 M: 0422 009 011 mphillips@actu.asn.au

Pay, job security and workplace safety at risk for Australia Post workers, says ACTU 20.11.09 | Media Release Employers should not be able to stand in the way of workers taking industrial action over job security, workplace safety and take home pay.

Early and extreme fire danger here to stay; firefighters call on Senators to pass CPRS 18.11.09 | Media Release | Clean Energy Jobs For the first time Australia has issued a “catastrophic” or “code red” fire danger warning with extreme temperatures forecast for South Australia, Victoria, ACT and New South Wales today.

Job fears and higher workloads have led to an epidemic of unpaid overtime, say unions 18.11.09 | Media Release An epidemic of unpaid overtime is costing hundreds of thousands of Australians time with their families and has worsened during the economic downturn, say unions.

Call for Coal and Mining Industry to End Scaremongering 16.11.09 | Media Release | Clean Energy Jobs Mining industry leaders should end their scaremongering campaign over the carbon pollution reduction scheme, a coalition of union, environment, welfare and research groups said outside the headquarters of the Australian Coal Association (ACA)...

Rising unemployment means Government stimulus spending must not be wound back, say unions 12.11.09 | Media Release | Jobs, Rights & GFC The latest employment data released today shows that every month thousands of Australians are still losing their jobs as a result of the Global Financial Crisis, and the Australian economy is still struggling.

Executive pay outrage as company CEOs pocket millions while slashing jobs 11.11.09 | Media Release | Jobs, Rights & GFC New data showing the average CEO earned more than $2 million last year at the same time as thousands of Australians lost their jobs is an outrage, say unions.

Time is running out to prevent watering down of workplace safety protections 10.11.09 | Media Release | Health & Safety In the ACTU’s final submission on the exposure draft of the proposed new national workplace health and safety laws, unions urge the Federal, State and Territory governments to toughen the requirements on employers to provide a safe workplace.

Recommendations for new reforms to improve women’s pay are long overdue, say unions 10.11.09 | Media Release Australian employers must do more to close the gender gap or face tougher legal requirements and obligations, say unions. Unions have welcomed proposals from a Parliamentary inquiry for action to improve women’s pay, but say it is long overdue.

Unions welcome James Hardie asbestos funding but will continue to hold the company to account 07.11.09 | Media Release A $320 million loan to James Hardie from the Commonwealth and NSW governments will provide some comfort to asbestos victims, but the company must be held accountable for its liabilities, say unions.

Pay push for social & community workers: ACTU backs major new test case 04.11.09 | Media Release Tens of thousands of low paid social and community services workers could receive pay rises of more than $100 a week as a result of a landmark pay equity test case to be launched by unions tomorrow.

105,000 more workers forecast to be jobless: MYEFO reveals human cost of GFC 02.11.09 | Media Release | Jobs, Rights & GFC Today’s Mid Year Economic Forecast reveals the massive human cost of the Global Financial Crisis with another 105,000 workers expected to be jobless — around 3,000 people each week — as unemployment rises to 6.75% over the next eight months say...

Time to show our humanity and allow asylum seekers to come to Australia: unions 02.11.09 | Media Release, News & Updates Unions are calling for the Federal Government to allow a group of 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers aboard a Customs ship to be taken to Australian territory.

Unions call for more income support & training for workers in economic downturns 01.11.09 | Media Release | Jobs, Rights & GFC More assistance from both employers and government is needed to cover the incomes of Australian workers when they are made jobless and to provide them with training and help finding a new job, say unions.

Workers to rally in support of equal rights and against coercive powers in the building industry 30.10.09 | Media Release | Rights on Site Coercive powers that could result in a worker going to jail have no place in Australian workplaces, say unions. Thousands of workers will today rally in support of a South Australian building worker Ark Tribe who faces charges for raising health and...

Women workers are losing out: new global report on the gender gap is a wake up call for Australian employers, say unions 29.10.09 | Media Release | Jobs, Rights & GFC Australian employers must do more to encourage women’s participation in the workforce and close the gender pay gap, following a major international report showing Australia is slipping further down world rankings on some critical indicators.