Your union is setting the standard for fairer, stronger WFH protections — and we need you with us. Today marks an important milestone in the campaign for work from home rights. ASU members have appeared before the Fair Work Commission to fight for a Work From Home model clause — a set of standard protections that would lift conditions for workers right across the private sector. This matters because right now, access to working from home is uneven and unfair. Workers in higher-paid roles are far more likely to have WFH arrangements than those in lower-paid positions. That's not good enough. The level of work you do or how much you earn shouldn't determine whether you get flexibility and protection at work. Why this matters for Together members A model clause wouldn't just help individual workers negotiate with their boss — it would set a benchmark across industries. That's the power of collective action. When ASU members stand together and push for change through the Fair Work Commission, we're not just asking for better conditions — we're building them. Work from home delivers real benefits for working people: more time with family, stronger connections to our communities, and improved work–life balance. These aren't perks for a privileged few — they should be rights that are accessible to everyone whose work can be done remotely. What we're fighting for Together with ASU members nationally, we're calling for: The rejection of big business' push to gut WFH rights — employers shouldn't be able to strip away conditions that workers have fought hard to win. National protections that lock in fair pay, breaks, and hours — no matter where you work from. The right to request WFH enshrined for all workers who can, and want to, do their job remotely. Add your voice The case members made before the Fair Work Commission shows what's possible when working people organise together. But this campaign isn't over — we need as many voices as possible behind the push for stronger protections. Sign the Hands Off Our Work From Home Rights petition → Every signature strengthens the case for fair, secure WFH rights. If you believe working from home should be a right and not a privilege, now's the time to stand up and be counte
The Together offices will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday, 24 Dec and will reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January. During this period, your union staff will take a short break to rest and recharge after a massive year working with members to build a stronger union. There will be processes for urgent and timely industrial assistance during this time. Thank you to all the members who will continue to work during the festival season to provide the vital public services Queenslanders rely on! A year of strength and solidarity 2025 was a year that showed the real power of union member strength. Across Queensland, members spoke up, stood together and pushed for fairer outcomes — in workplaces, at the bargaining table and in the public debates that matter. Whether it was taking protected action, sharing your experiences, or backing each other when it counted, your solidarity made the difference. Every win this year was built on members choosing collective action over going it alone. Looking ahead to 2026 Together members are heading into 2026 with momentum and a clear focus on protecting jobs, improving conditions and fixing the systems that aren’t working for workers. Together, we’ll keep organising, campaigning and advocating for respect, safety and fairness at work. Congratulations on being part of your union in 2025. Urgent matters during closure Members can access the Member Portal 24/7 during the holiday break for advice, including the Industrial Assistance form. For any urgent industrial matters during this period, such as being stood down, please call 1800 177 244.
On Monday 18th August, a Protected Action Ballot (PAB) will commence for the following collective agreements (or enterprise bargains/EBs): Queensland Public Health Sector Certified Agreement (No.11) 2022 (EB11) – expires 31 August 2025 Department of Education Certified Agreement 2022 – expires 31 August 2025 Queensland Corrective Services – Correctional Employees’ Certified Agreement 2021 – expires 31 August 2025 Health Practitioners & Dental Officers (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (HPDO) – expires 16 October 2025 This PAB is critical in enabling members to take protected industrial action, if required, after the expiry of your agreement. The PAB timetable is as follows: Ballot opens Monday 18th August, 10am. Ballot closes Monday 25th August, 10am. The PAB is being run by BigPulse, a secure online voting platform. Members covered by these agreements should keep an eye out for an email from BigPulse on Monday 18th August. This email will contain further information about the process and include your unique link to vote in the PAB. Remember – Only union members can vote in a PAB and subsequently take protected industrial action. If you have colleagues who want to participate but aren’t yet members, if they join whilst the PAB is being undertaken they may vote. Union members can only take protected industrial action after your agreement has expired. After the Protected Action Ballot has been finalised, your delegates will consider the timing of any future actions after your EB’s expiry. You can find a fact sheet on protected industrial action here. A strong turnout in your PAB is an early signal to your employer that members are serious about getting a fair outcome – members are encouraged to participate in the ballot and vote ‘YES’ on all actions, to send a clear and compelling message to the employer. Only Together members can participate - JOIN NOW TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
With a federal election expected before May 17, Queensland workers face a critical choice about our future. A Peter Dutton-led government poses significant risks to the wages, rights, and security that union members have fought hard to achieve. Over the past two years, union members have secured vital improvements: job security reforms, wage growth through multi-employer bargaining, and stronger protections against wage theft and sham contracting. These changes have helped thousands of Queenslander workers through the cost of living crisis we've experienced these past years. However, Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party have consistently opposed these reforms and are pledging to dismantle them if they win government. Clearly this would be a disaster for working people in Queensland. Queensland workers must stand up and fight back against the LNP cuts and policies that would send us backwards. Here’s what a Dutton government could mean for you: 1) Lower Wages The LNP and their big business mates don't want Queensland workers to secure pay rises. Under the last coalition government, wages were repressed to deliver their big business mates their big profits. Dutton has also promised to reverse multi-employer bargaining laws that have enabled better pay deals. This could stall wage growth and leave many Queensland families struggling with rising costs. 2) Insecure Work Dutton opposed the new casual employment definition that protects workers from being misclassified. He has pledged to scrap these safeguards, allowing employers to label permanent roles as “casual” to deny entitlements like sick leave. 3) Wage Theft and Superannuation Dutton and the Coalition voted against criminalising wage theft. They opposed stronger penalties for bosses who steal wages and superannuation. If elected, Dutton would weaken these protections, making it easier for unscrupulous employers to exploit Queensland workers. 4) The Right to Disconnect Workers recently won the right to disconnect from work outside paid hours, improving work-life balance. Dutton has vowed to repeal this right, pushing workers back into unpaid, round-the-clock availability. These landmarks laws have already seen Queensland workers secure a better work-life balance. It's all at risk under a Dutton government. 5) Cuts to Services Dutton has a history of cutting essential public services. When he was Health Minister, he attempted to introduce fees for GP visits. Under a Dutton government, public sector jobs in Queensland could face cuts, and access to critical services may be reduced. He has recently called for 36,000 federal public service jobs to be axed, Dutton wants to cut $6 billion out of the public service - Don't risk Dutton. 6) Respect and Safety at Work Queensland workers have seen stronger protections against sexual harassment and new laws requiring large employers to report on their gender pay gaps. Dutton and the Liberals opposed these reforms and would likely scrap them, undermining efforts to make workplaces safer and fairer for women. The past decade of Coalition rule saw wage stagnation, insecure work, and a weakening of worker protections. We cannot afford to go back. Queensland workers deserve fair pay, secure jobs, and respect at work. A Dutton-led government threatens to strip away these hard-won rights. This election, make your vote count. Don’t risk Dutton. Don’t risk your future.
As we approach the Christmas holiday period, many workplaces will be shutting down between the Christmas and the New Years Day holidays. Depending on your workplace, you may need to take personal leave during this time. Please check with your manager or supervisor to understand how your workplace is operating during this period. If you're having difficulty understanding what is expected of you during the holiday period, please contact your union office. The Together Brisbane office will be closed from 5:00pm Tuesday 24 December and reopen 9am Thursday 2 January. During this time there will be an emergency on-call for urgent issues only. Such issues are imminent Workplace Health and Safety issue, Summary Dismissal or a request to attend an Investigation Interview. If you require immediate assistance please call 1800 177 244. Otherwise, we encourage you to seek general advice from our online Member Portal.
Union members campaigning to build better workplaces can take many forms. Right now, your union is participating in a Fair Work Commission review that could cement stronger working from home policies for admin workers with a view to expanding these policies to other industries. The Fair Work Commission is currently undergoing numerous reviews of modern awards as part of the Federal Government request to update awards. One part of those reviews is looking into how a Working from Home term can be included in modern awards. The FWC is looking at the Clerks award (which covers many private sector admin workers) to determine whether a Working from Home term can be included in other modern awards. Working from home, where one can, has become an important part of modern working life for so many of us. It means the work/life balance of caring for your loved ones and being able to do your job has become a little easier for those who can access working from home arrangements. It is good news for workers that the FWC is considering expanding the term to other awards to make access to this right easier for workers across industries. A working from home test case will run within the Clerks award which many ASU/Together members are covered by. Questions the FWC are seeking to answer would include how would working from home be defined, what would be reasonable acceptance and refusals of working from home request look like, should this right be expanded to some or all workers on the award/s, and many more. Your union has been and will continue to be closely involved in the test case to ensure workers are strongly represented while the FWC considers the case. Union members getting involved in these reviews means the voices of workers are represented at the FWC when these decisions are made. These decisions can dramatically influence your working life and have workers' voices front and centre during the trial Keep an eye out for the latest updates on this review and how you can get involved in the process. Union members are always on the front line protecting our workplace entitlements. Join your union today and help us protect Working from Home rights. We are stronger together.
ASU members have campaigned and won a 3.75% pay rise for almost 3 million workers. Today, the Fair Work Commission announced a 3.75% increase in Modern Award Rates and an 3.75% boost to the National Minimum Wage, effective from 1 July 2024. This is less than we wanted but it’s a huge win in the face of relentless campaigning from big business to limit pay increases to 2%. It’s down to union members that we have achieved an increase this year – you're standing up for workers! In a year marked by more financial uncertainty, price-gouging supermarkets and rising housing costs, this win showcases the power of unity. Already, union members stood together to win the cost-of-living tax cuts, which will deliver some much-needed relief from 1 July, along with this pay rise. Congratulations to all members for their dedication and hard work in making this happen. Want to know what this 3.75% pay rise means for you? Calculate it here >>> Here's what you need to know about this win: Modern Award-covered workers will see a 3.75% pay rise starting 1 July 2024. The National Minimum Wage will increase by 3.75% from 1 July 2024. Office and Admin workers under the Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020 will receive a 3.75% pay rise as of 1 July 2024. Those on an enterprise bargaining agreement will only see an increase if their base rate falls below the minimum award rate for their classification. Our efforts don't stop here. We must ensure that employers implement this wage increase on 1 July. Your employer will be reviewing your current rates against the Award minimums soon. Your union will be working closely with members to ensure everyone receives their rightful pay. The National Wage decision has some impact on the decision the Queensland Industrial Commission makes with the State Wage Case, which has different flow on effects for members in the public sector. There will be more to say on that for the impacted groups soon. Send this to your colleagues to let them know about the huge achievement union members have won today and ask them to join your union. Together, we continue to strive for fair pay and conditions.
This is a life-changing win for work-life balance in Australia! The Senate has just passed legislation enshrining the Right to Disconnect. This is a monumental step towards a healthier, more balanced life for all workers, especially in our fight against unpaid overtime, after-hours contact, and excessive workloads. Don’t forget to share the news of this win with your colleagues! Thanks to the work of ASU members, Australian workers now have the right to: Set clear boundaries around working times. Put an end to unpaid overtime. Refuse work-related contact outside working hours without negative consequences. Be safeguarded from the pressure to be constantly connected or available. This win is thanks to our united voices, we've made it clear: workers in Australia deserve the time to rest, to enjoy hobbies, to be with family and friends – without constant interruptions and added stress. Remember the statistics? 70% of Australians working outside scheduled hours, 64% being contacted during leave, and an average of 4.6 hours of unpaid overtime each week. These figures underscored the need for change. And we made it happen! Our campaign mirrored successful movements in countries like France, Spain, and Ireland, drawing inspiration to create a fair and balanced work environment right here in Australia. A huge 78% of workers supported this legislation, showing a strong, unified desire for change. Your support, stories, and actions have been central to this win. So, what's next? As this new legislation takes effect, we'll be here to guide and support you through its implementation. Expect further information on how these changes will directly benefit you in your workplace. Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in our journey towards fairer work conditions. Your commitment and participation have been crucial in this victory. Let's continue to stand together for a better work-life balance for all workers. Thank you for your unwavering support and for being a part of this historical moment. Here's to achieving more together!
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