Referendum voting day is on Saturday 14 October. This is our opportunity to change our 122-year-old constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s 65,000-year continuous culture. Just like at the federal election, there will be opportunities to vote early in person or by post if on the day you are travelling, working or can’t make it in person. A full list of the conditions to vote early or by postal vote can be found on the AEC website. In Queensland early voting begins from Tuesday 3 October. Hundreds of early voting centres will be available over the two weeks before voting day. To find a polling place near you use the where to vote tool. Postal voting The same eligibility applies for postal voting as voting early in person. Postal vote applications close at 6pm on Wednesday 11 October. You can apply for a postal vote and find more information on the AEC website. Your vote has the power to open our nation’s next chapter that delivers practical change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If you can’t vote in person on 14 October, make sure you cast your vote early or register for a postal vote.
Delegate training is back for 2024! Wherever you are in Queensland, there's an opportunity for you to acquire valuable skills with your union colleagues in 2024. The 2024 Together delegate training program will consist of two single day training courses run concurrently. The first day will focus on industrial instruments & consultative committee skills and the second day will focus on building power in your workplace. The course will be offered in Brisbane as well as various regional locations. You will have the option of registering for one or both days depending on your area of interest. See below for an outline of the two days of delegate training. Delegate training dates and locations Here are the delegate training dates and locations for this year. New dates and locations may be added depending on demand. Brisbane 7/8 February Mackay 28/29 February Sunshine Coast 20/21 March Cairns 17/18 April Brisbane 8/9 May Townsville 29/30 May Gold Coast 12/13 June Toowoomba 17/18 July Brisbane 31 July and 1 August Bundaberg 21/22 August Rockhampton 4/5 September Brisbane 9/10 October If you are interested in participating in delegate training (or want to inquire about how to become a union delegate for your workplace) please email training@together.org.au. Access to paid leave to attend training Queensland public servants have access to paid union training leave to participate in training. Email training@together.org.au if you're unsure about your rights to paid industrial relations training leave! Two-day training schedule Day One Industrial Instruments and Consultative Committee training Where to find your rights and entitlements Consultative Committee Frameworks How to maximise the benefits from your consultative committee Influencing the employer Putting things into practice Day Two Building Power in your workplace. What’s power in the workplace? An organised workplace How do we deal with workplace issues? Mapping An organising conversation Please email training@together.org.au to register, or if you have any questions.
The referendum for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will be on Saturday, 14 October 2023. After over 65,000 years of continuous culture, it’s time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised in our 122-year-old Constitution. Wondering what you can do to win over hearts and minds in our communities? Join Rachel Bos, a Kaurna woman and ACTU First Nations Educator, for a 1-hour live webinar on the Unions For YES! campaign: Unions For YES! Supporting an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Date: Wednesday, 20 September Time: 7pm AEST Presented by Rachel Bos Register here now You will learn about: The significance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Explore the key campaign messages. How to actively engage with the Unions For YES! campaign. With four weeks until the vote, we have a much better chance of success by actively listening, encouraging discussion, and sharing our vision with as many Australians as possible. Get practical tips on how to get there at our live webinar - Register here today.
Union members have successfully won a new 'preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment' directive that strengthens protections for Queensland public servants. The directive is a big step forward from the individual grievance directive that has been used for sexual harassment complaints in the past. The new directive will change the way sexual harassment allegations are handled, with a focus on person-centred support. One of the main changes is the requirement for a decision to be made about a grievance within 14 days – this is compared to the old process that was often very long and often didn’t keep the complainant in the loop. Keeping the complainant and their union updated on the decisions and outcome is now an obligation. Departments also must commence planning to have a standalone sexual harassment policy in place by 1 February 2024. Further, the directive requires public sector entities to have training in place by 1 July 2024. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their workplace and not to be retraumatized when they come forward. This directive is a step in the right direction. Read the new directive here.
Exciting News! LGBTIQ+ members have formed a Pride Network at Together. Members will use this network to reinvigorate activism on LGBTIQ+ workplace issues and strengthen the LGBTIQ+ union community at Together. We have made strides forward, but union members don’t stop until the job is done. The Network is open to LGBTIQ+ Union Delegates and Activists and the Network wants members from far and wide. The Pride Network has kicked off planning on possible goals from promoting visibility, events, education to making sure organisational and industrial policies are up to scratch. These are all possible steps to making change in LGBTIQ+ union members lives. This is a great time to step up and be a union activist or delegate on these issues – getting active is the way union members make change. If you want to get involved in the Pride Network email your.union@together.org.au Also, the Network wants to know your experience in the workplace – please take a minute to fill in this survey (open to all).
Today, as we observe Equal Pay Day, it's essential to reflect on the strides we've taken towards achieving pay equity while acknowledging the persistent challenges that still lie ahead. The efforts of union members have led to significant progress, but the gender pay gap remains an issue that demands our attention and action. Over the past decades, we have witnessed some progress in narrowing the gender pay gap in Queensland. Thanks to advocacy of union members and increasing awareness, the disparity between men's and women's earnings has reduced. Initiatives won by union members coupled with increased workplace transparency, have fostered an environment where pay discrepancies are being recognised and addressed more openly. Despite these positive developments, the gender pay gap continues to be a pressing concern. According to data from the Women's Employment and Gender Equality Agency (WEGEA) in Queensland, women still earn, on average, approximately 14.8% less than their male counterparts. This means that, in financial terms, women effectively work for free for more than two months of the year compared to men. In recent years we've unfortunately seen this figure INCREASING. The gender pay gap is getting worse in Queensland. The factors contributing to the gender pay gap are complex and multifaceted. Occupational segregation, wherein certain industries and roles are dominated by one gender, plays a significant role. Additionally, women's disproportionate responsibilities in care-giving and the undervaluation of roles predominantly held by women contribute to the persistence of the gap. The Path Forward While acknowledging the progress made, it's evident that our journey towards pay equity is far from over. The trade union movement, alongside government bodies and advocacy groups, must continue to champion initiatives that promote transparency in pay scales, challenge stereotypes, and encourage women's representation in leadership roles. Employers and organisations must commit to conducting regular pay audits and actively working to rectify any identified disparities. Policies that support work-life balance and offer affordable childcare solutions can help alleviate the burden disproportionately shouldered by women. As we mark Equal Pay Day in Queensland, we must remember that achieving pay equity isn't just a goal – it's a necessity. Our collective efforts have undoubtedly driven progress, but the data speaks for itself: the gender pay gap persists. Let us renew our commitment to dismantling the barriers that contribute to this gap and continue striving for a future where all individuals are fairly compensated for their contributions, regardless of gender.
Enhance your communication skills through the power of assertiveness and learn to tackle difficult conversations with ease with ASU Career Launchpad. Enrol in our live webinar 'Assertiveness and Tackling Difficult Conversations at Work' here. Date: Monday, 21 August Time: 7:00pm Presented by Monique Richardson Register here today This 1-hour course is designed to empower you with practical strategies that can be applied in various workplace scenarios. You will learn: ✅ How to develop a collaborative mindset to enhance professionalism. ✅ Effective communication skills to build better relationships. ✅ Conflict resolution skills to support harmonious workplaces. The ASU Career Launchpad Team are excited to support all ASU members to become confident and effective communicators! Reserve your spot now >> Register here.
Supercharge your Excel skills and get a grasp of coding with ASU Career Launchpad. Join us for our August live webinar Visual Basic for Excel (Coding for Beginners) - presented by Daniel Cohen: Tuesday, 29 August Time: 7:00pm AEST Register here today Excel expert, Daniel Cohen, will transform your skills using the power of coding with Visual Basic. In our 1-hour live webinar, you will learn: How to advance your Excel skills: Gain a deeper understanding of Excel's advanced features and functionalities, allowing you to leverage its full potential. How to automate in Excel: Learn how to save time and automate repetitive tasks by creating Macros. Code behind the macro: Delve deeper into Macros to understand the code that makes them work. Gain confidence in modifying and customising Macros to suit your specific needs. Visual Basic demonstration: Witness the power of Visual Basic as you dive into coding and scripting tasks in Excel. Get hands-on experience writing scripts and unlock endless possibilities for enhancing your Excel projects. ASU members like you are expanding their digital skills with ASU Career Launchpad. Don't miss out on all the incredible opportunities. Take your skills even further with our follow-up live webinar Coding for Professionals (Applied Coding) – Register here to secure your place in September.
Imagine having the power to recognise and thwart cyber-attacks, safeguard your personal information like a pro, and stay one step ahead of scammers! Our latest ASU Career Launchpad course will arm you with essential insights, strategies, and tips you need to become a cybersecurity champion: Cyber Security Essentials Date: Monday, 14 August Time: 7pm AEST Presented by Benjamin Pisani Register here today. You will learn: How to identify the most common forms of cyber-attacks. Protecting your personal information, both online and offline, with proven strategies. The importance of staying vigilant against potential scams. Secure your digital privacy. Register for your spot for Cyber Security Essentials >> Register here today.
Are you ready to unlock your career potential? Dive into one of our live webinars this August with ASU Career Launchpad. Sneak a peek at August courses available exclusively to ASU members: OHS Fundamentals Learn workplace safety, incident reporting, and more. Create a safer, healthier work environment. Date: Tuesday, 8 August Time: 1:00pm Presented by Corey Rabaut Register here today. Cyber Security Essentials Gain essential knowledge to safeguard your info, combat cyber-attacks, and stay ahead of scams. Date: Monday, 14 August Time: 7:00pm Presented by Benjamin Pisani Register here today. Assertiveness and Tackling Difficult Conversations at Work Get tips and strategies to foster better relationships and teamwork, master professionalism, handle tough conversations, and enhance communication skills. Date: Monday, 21 August Time: 7:00pm Presented by Monique Richardson Register here today. Visual Basic for Excel (Coding for Beginners) Level up your Excel skills with our new coding course. Delve into programming and conquer Visual Basic. Unleash your coding potential! Date: Tuesday, 29 August Time: 7:00pm Presented by Daniel Cohen Register here today. Our experts lead ASU Career Launchpad courses and offer hands-on exercises to practice new skills and real-world insights to boost your confidence and make your career soar even higher than before. Don't wait! Click here to register for an upcoming webinar and get ready to unlock your true potential! By your side, P.S. Need help? Trouble logging in? We've got your back! Email us at launchpad@asu.asn.au