Queensland's correctional officers are on the front line every day. Our communities rely on correctional officers to keep everyone safe. That is why Together members are proud to celebrate National Corrections Day today. Thanks to the work of Together members, Queensland's correctional officers are the best-paid in the country. In 2022, Together members finally got a new EB certified, won a significant victory on superannuation entitlements, and saw the successful resolution of the long-running 12/12 dispute, meaning that most custodial correctional officers will receive pay increases of at least 10%. All these pay increases are more than richly deserved and they would not have happened without Together members. Of course the work of union members is far from done. The work of corrections officers remains difficult and dangerous. Every worker deserves a safe place of work and Together corrections members are still standing strong in 2023 for improved safety in our prisons. If you're a correctional officer, the best thing you can do for safety, for better working conditions, and for your colleagues is to be a member of Together. On behalf of the entire community, we want to celebrate and recognise the vital front-line work of Queensland Corrections staff.
Sexual harassment is never acceptable. The federal Albanese government has reversed the previous government's inaction and finally moved to put key Respect@Work report recommendations into legislation. The proposed legislation will enact a positive duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. The duty will also require employers to prevent harassment by third parties such as customers or clients of workers. “This is such an important and long overdue legislative change as sexual harassment at work is rife in Australia with women having a 2 in 3 chance of experiencing it in a current or former workplace, said ACTU President Michele O'Neil. The ACTU has welcomed the Albanese government's action in implementing the Respect@Work report's recommendations. “Employers having an obligation to prevent sexual harassment is essential to making workplaces safe for everyone. We will not have gender equality while women are having to leave jobs because they feel unsafe, Michele O'Neil said. This win comes after strong campaigning by members of Together and other unions. Union members are dedicating to eradicating the scourge of sexual harassment at work.
March4Justice is a movement of people calling for the end of gender-based violence in Australian society. Early in 2021, events swirling around federal politics exploded onto a national platform which galvanised Australians to come together to call for the end of sexual violence. In March 2021, over 200 events across Australia popped up and created the grassroots March4justice movement. It started with a tweet, and from there volunteers in cities and towns all over Australia put up their hands to create a movement unlike what we’ve seen in recent years. In 2022, the March4Justice events are back right across the country. The March4Justice movement is calling for 4 key demands; All women to be safe in Australia. First Nations women must be a priority. Women to be safe at work and at home. Real action to end gendered violence and promote gender equality across Australia. Criminal Justice reform. Together members will be joining the rally in Brisbane to support the cause and call for women to be safe at work. Gendered violence is a workplace issue. Gender equality is a workplace issue. Together members have a proud track record for standing up for the rights of women in the workplace. Stemming from the March4Justice rallies last year, our union established the Respect@Work campaign that called for gender pay equity, superannuation and safety at work. Together members also successfully campaigned to establish a Queensland Equity Commissioner to promote, encourage and facilitate the achievement of gender equity within the Queensland Public Service. With the commission just beginning, Together members are looking forward to continuing to advocate for gender equality in the public service. There are public March4Justice events in Warwick, Gold Coast, Cairns and Brisbane this year. You can find all the events details here. The Brisbane event details are below: 10:30am - 11:30am Sunday, 27 February 2022 Soundshell Hill, Brisbane City Botanical Gardens Dress code: Black with teal ribbon on your wrist Click here for the flyer. Please join us and be part of this movement for change. If you care about issues like eliminating the gender pay gap, gendered violence and achieving gender equality, being a Together union member is an important step in reaching those important goals. We are stronger when we act together as a collective and make our voice loud. If these issues are important to you - join your union today. Together we are powerful.
