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Liberals Must Rethink Stance on New Safety Laws after City Building Accident
SA Unions says the Liberal Opposition's delays to the new Work Health and Safety Bill are seriously endangering people's safety, after a devastating workplace accident ... media release 2/12/11

Independents to Hear from Workers and Families on Safety
SA Unions held a forum to put the case to the Legislative Council Independents that they should throw their support behind planned new work safety laws.

The Independents will hear real stories of working people, their families and their colleagues about the devastating effects workplace death and injury can have.  The Safety Bill is currently before State Parliament and will be debated again tin the House of Assembly on 8 November. 

These planned new laws have been the subject of three yeas of national negotiation with unions and employer groups, and are essential to having nationally consistent safety laws to both protect working people and to give businesses certainty and consistency. .... read on

WorkCover Laws Need Fixing
SA Unions will be running new television ads demanding change to the State's workers compensation laws.  The State Government must make the laws fair for people injured at work and SA Unions will fight to ensure they receive fair treatment if they are hurt and to ensure they have safe working conditions .... read on

Urgent Call to Support Strong Safety Laws in South Australia
Across the country states and territories have agreed to a single set of OHS laws that better protect workers for a safe workplace - these laws are now in jeopardy as the Liberal Party in SA with support of big business are trying to stop these laws in Parliament. Your help is needed urgently ... read on

Work Health and Safety Bill - More Important Than Ever
The serious work accident on a Bella Constructions housing site on 26 September shows just how dangerous work can be - and how much we need the new nationally consistent workplace safety laws.

Today's accident shows how dangerous the industry is and that safety must be taken seriously, however the SA Liberal Party and its bug business mates are trying to block the new laws in Parliament, despite three years of negotiation ... media release 26/9/11 

A Charter for Working South Australians
South Australian unions kicked off the next phase of their campaign for a better and fair state with the release of a Charter for Working South Australians.  The comprehensive list of demands sets out the priorities working people want to see in SA to improve the lives of all South Australians ... media release 24/8/11  ... download charter

Go to www.saworkingpeople.com.au for more information and to have your say.

WHS Bill - Libs Walk Away from Injured South Australians
SA Unions says the Liberal Party is abandoning working South Australians by not supporting planned new worker safety legislation.

These planned new nationally consistent laws will cut red tape by ensuring the same safety laws apply right across the country, but the Liberal Party is opposing the right of entry for union officials to inspect worksites for safety issues ... read on [15/9/11]

Injured South Australians Win Fight on Medical Panels
Today 27/6/11 the Supreme Court found that WorkCover's Medical Panels do not have the power to be the ultimate decision maker when it comes to determining issues around an injured worker's capacity and questions about their injury.

This is an important win for injured workers and vindicates South Australian Unions three year campaign about the State government's 2008 amendments to the WorkCover Legislation.  Unions have argued that the Medical Panels are secretive kangaroo courts, at which injured people have no right to take advocates with them for support and advice, and no right of appeal. 

These Medical Panels cost more than $9m a year and the Supreme Court has now found that their opinions are not binding on the courts.  Anyone can be injured at work and find themselves in the middle of the WorkCover nightmare where they currently have no rights to representation and no rights to appeal.  South Australians union now call on the new Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Jack Snelling to act on this decision immediately... media release 27/6/11

Clean Start Campaign
A report compiled by United Voice, the cleaners' union finds the state of the retail cleaning industry is in a state of crisis - a danger to the public and cleaners alike.  The report finds that due to the unsustainable business model of contract cleaning the industry is in a state of crisis.  United Voice are focussing on International Cleaners' Day to hold events and rallies to raise awareness of the crisis in cleaning.... more information

Two Big Wins for Working People - Will there be more tomorrow?
On the day before the State budget, there have been big wins for South Australian working people.  Staff in the community sector in South Australia have won their four year fight for equal pay and the Public Service Association will be able to take their case against the State Government for unilaterally taking away their members' long service leave entitlements to the High Court..... media release 8/6/11

SA Working People Put Budget Demands on the Table
SA Unions says the the Premier must take control of the budget and put working South Australians first.  Last year's budget cuts are being rolled out - that means $2billion in cuts are about to hit the community, and the South Australian community now faces more cuts on top of that $2billion.  SA Unions wants to see a budge that truly represents Labor values and supports working South Australians. .... media release 3/6/11

Minimum Wage Case - Decision handed down 3 June 2011
Fair Work Australia has decided to increase minimum wages for 1.4 million award-dependent workers by 3.4%.

For the entry-level workers, this is an extra $19.40 per week.  For most award-dependent workers, it is more than $20per week.  The decision will take effect from 1st July.

Freedom of Information Reveals WorkCover Spending Millions on Doctors instead of Injured South Australians
The State Government's workers compensation scheme is wasting millions of dollars each year on doctors which should be spent on getting injured South Australians back to work..... media release 8/5/11

Another SA Worker Tragically Dies at Work
Where is Pat Conlon's commitment to better safety on the job?  The Worker Health and Safety Bill which has been the subject of two years worth of consultation has now been delayed by the new Industrial Relations Minister, Pat Conlon ..... media release 5/5/11

WARNING TO PREMIER: UNIONS INTENSIFY STATE BUDGET FIGHT
South Australian unions are warning Premier Mike Rann to learn the lessons of the New South Wales State election and start listening to South Australians.

SA Unions has written to every Government Member of Parliament warning them that working South Australians have become increasingly concerned about the policies and directions of this Labor Government. .... media release 19/4/11

SOUTH AUSTALIAN FIRIES TAKE BUDGET PROTEST TO RUNDLE MALL
South Australian fire fighters will today be hitting Adelaide's busiest streets to protest about the State Government's budget cuts.  United Firefighters Union Industrial Officer, Joe Szakacs says nearly one thousand Firefighters have had their negotiated working conditions attacked by the State government in the last Budget.  While our firefighters were doing their job at house fires and road accidents, the State government snuck into Parliament and legislated away their working entitlements.... media release 11/4/11

TREASURER TURNS UP BUT REJECTED BY OWN PARTY!
South Australian unions say the Treasurer Jack Snelling has failed to explain his government's attack on working conditions of South Australians.

At the Special ALP State Council meeting 24/3/11 the Treasurer failed to convince his own Party members with his explanation of why the legislation to rip away the entitlements of South Australian public sector workers has not yet been repealed and warn that that this attack could spread to working South Australians in the private sector.

Jamie Newlyn, SA Unions President says South Australian working people should be worried that there will be more cuts to services and jobs in the upcoming Budget.  SA unions have vowed to continue campaigning until the government actually starts listening to the community and reverses its Budget cuts.  Website: www.saworkingpeople.com.au : ....media release 25/3/11

Correctional Services Officers Apply "Lockdown" to Minister's Office
Union protests against the State Government will continue today, with correctional services officers rallying at the office of Correctional Services Minister, Tom Koutsantonis.  Unions have vowed to keep protesting until the State government started listening to the community and restored these negotiated working conditions to South Australian working people ...media release 25/2/11

Unions Take Fight Against Budget Cuts to Alan Sibbons MP
Union today are meeting with the Member for Mitchell, Alan Sibbons as part of the ongoing campaign against the Rann Government's budget of a thousand cuts.

Mr Sibbons, a former unionist must appreciate how appalling it is for a government to simply legislate away the negotiated working entitlements of its employees.  The delegation will include representatives from the fire fighters, ambulance officers, public servants, teachers and nurses unions. ....media release 18/2/11

Rally - Chloe Fox Electorate Office, 16 February
Unionists today will target the Government's most marginal Member of Parliament, Chloe Fox as part of their ongoing campaign against the Rann Government's budget of a thousand cuts ....media release 16/2/11

Cynical Attempt to Gag Protest Won't Work
Premier Rann gave his word one year ago that he would change a section of the Workers Compensation Act which takes away workers' wages if they are in dispute with an employer about their workers compensation claim.  On the eve of a major union protest about cuts to working conditions for South Australian workers, the Government has had a last minute panic about union unrest within the Party.....read on

Train and Tram Drivers Join Protest 2/12/10 .... read on
Firies Turn Up the Heat 17/11/10 ....read on
Nurses Join Unions Fight 12/11/10 ....read on

SA Unions Warns: Who Will Be Next?
SA Unions says all workers should be worried about the attack on the wages and conditions of our public sector workers.  We don't think public sector workers will be alone in having their rights at work slashed - who will be next?  ....read on

Slash and Burn Bill Mean
Government's ineptitude in relation to its Budget slash-and-burn Bill is outweighed only by its meanness.  The Bill was hurriedly redrafted over the dinner break when it was discovered by the Opposition that the Minister's chauffeurs were not covered by the Bill.... now they will also lose their entitlements : 29 October 2010 ....read on

Stop Foley's Bill
March on 26th October.... assemble at Victoria Square and march to Parliament House - support the public sector workers ....click here for flyer  Full Page Advertisement

Protests Continue - Public Sector Workers Fight Intensifies 8/10/10 ....read on
Protests Grow - Workers Vow to Continue Fight on 14 October 8/10/10 ...read on

  ARK TRIBE VICTORY MUST SPELL END FOR ABCC
  Rigger Ark Tribe won his legal battle today against the ABCC in a victory that 
  underscores the need to protect the basic human rights of Australian workers,
  including the right to remain silent.

  SA Unions will call on the support of unions to continue the campaign for
  Prime Minister Gillard to abolish the ABCC and the divisive and patently
  unjust laws ....>> read on [24/11/10]  
  Visit the www.rightsonsite.org.au for more information

Rann Government Treating Injured Workers Like Bikie Gangs
The Full Bench of the Supreme Court will today 8/12/10 be hearing a case which challenges WorkCover for taking away the legal rights of injured workers.  Under the Rann government's changes if you challenge a decision of WorkCover, they take away your benefits.  SA Unions says the Government are in a sense treating injured South Australian workers as if they are members of bikie gangs ... read on 8/12/10

Tough Times with State Budget
The Treasurer Kevin Foley has lifted the lid on a budget of horrors and created a Pandora's Box.  Not only has Mr Foley announced savage cuts that will strip more than 3,000 jobs and hit valuable public services; it's clear now that there's worse to come...>>read on

Young Women and Sexual Harassment
As debate sparked by the David Jones - Mark McInnes - Allanah Hill controversy continues to simmer across Australia, a South Australian study to be released this week shows an alarming pattern of harassment by men in positions of authority against young women employees.  South Australian Young Workers Legal Service will present its findings to the Women and IR Conference in Darwin this week ...>>read on

Safety Sacrificed to Building Pressures and Bad Laws
The construction union says safety on large South Australian building sites has arguably plunged in recent weeks, despite the death of a worker at the desalination plant.

CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Darren Roberts says it's extraordinary that despite all the outcry and publicity surrounding the desal tragedy that similar accidents have occurred across the city....>> read on

WorkChoices - Whatever the Name, Never Again
The newly elected President of the ACTU Ged Kearney visited Adelaide on Thursday 22 July to launch the union movement's election campaign in South Australia.

The launch included workers talking about their experiences under WorkChoices and why it is imperative the Liberals not be given another chance to wind back the clock on worker's rights.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the launch marks the start in earnest of the grassroots campaign against the return of the Liberals and their discredited WorkChoices legislation. ...>> read on

New Fair Work Minimum Wage Rise
The new fair work minimum wage rise awarded on 3rd June 2010 by the Fair Pay Commission will help 130,000 low paid South Australian Workers.

The $26 extra a week in the pay packets of the lowest paid workers will take their wage to $570.00 a week.

Now that the vast majority of SA workers are covered under the new federal Fair Work Laws, this decision is even more important than in the past.  It further demonstrates the importance of rejecting Tony Abbott's thinly veiled plans to reinstate the worst aspects of WorkChoices, under WorkChoices, fairness and the cost of living weren't considered, under the new work laws, they are.

SA Unions says a decent living wage is fundamental to a fair society and strong economy ...>> read on

WorkCover's Dodgy Levy Cut
The South Australian union movement is calling for the state government to fix the unfair WorkCover levy decision in a full page advertisement 20/5/10 ..>>click here

The move is a direct response to Business SA's unashamed gloating over WorkCover levy cuts at the expense of injured workers>>.. read on

Union Membership on the Rise in SA
The latest ABS data shows that union membership in South Australia is on the rise, in line with the trend nationally.  In SA, union membership jumped from 19.4% to 20.6%.  SA Unions says it is a strong and heartening recovery after the dark days of WorkChoices. >>..read on

Unions Welcome Long Called for Tax Changes
South Australia's peak unions' organisation SA Unions, welcomed the changes to taxation contained in the Henry Review as good for working families in our state.

The changes reflect key elements of SA  Unions' forward looking strategy "A Fair Share of the Future" which examines ways of securing the state's economic growth in a socially responsible manner.

It's time for mining companies to stop freeloading and contribute to the community infrastructure. >>.. read on

WorkCover Levy Scandal
SA Unions is demanding the state government intervene to protect injured workers' compensation entitlements from being gouged by employers.

The WorkCover Board having decided to reduce the employer levy contribution to the fund effectively means injured workers will pay for a financial windfall for employers.  This is a scandalous decision by a Board which is clearly willing to compromise the welfare of injured workers for the financial benefit of business.

SA Unions specifically calls on the ALP to implement the WorkCover policy commitment it made at is last state convention, to reinstate fairness into the scheme >>.. read on

Good Result for Working Families
SA Unions says Labor's election victory is a good result for working families in South Australia, securing important and hard fought industrial rights....>> read on

Liberals Confirm Workers' Fears
SA Unions says the Liberal Party's decision not to publicly reveal details of its Industrial Relations policy will send a shiver down the spine of every worker who values their job and their pay.   Iain Evans, Liberal Industrial Relations spokesman does not seem to understand the difference between the state and federal IR system and indicated that the SA Liberals IR position would be dictated by their federal masters ....>> read on

Radio Campaign Ad ..>> Don't Risk Redmond with your Working Conditions

WorkCover a Hot Topic
The Liberals' swift release of its WorkCover policy has been welcomed by SA Unions and indicates the depth of public concern surrounding this issue.  Injured workers are paying the price of unfair laws that were put forward by Labor and supported by the Liberals, so both major parties are culpable, but both have the chance to right the wrongs.....>> read on

Employment Figures for SA
ABS Trend Labour Force Survey data (released today) show that South Australian employment increased 0.3 per cent (+2,600 persons) in January 2010, raising total employment to 802,400 persons.  This marked the first time that SA employment has exceeded 800,000 persons.  Employment has risen for five consecutive months, and was 1.5 per cent higher than the same time a year ago.  Both full and part-time employment increased in SA last month.

There were 41,200 unemployed persons in SA in January 2010, 1,500 (3.5%) fewer than the month before.  Compared to a year ago, unemployment has fallen by 13.3 per cent (-6,300 persons).  South Australian unemployment is at its lowest level since July 2008.

The SA unemployment rate declined 0.2 percentage points last month, to 4.9 per cent – the lowest unemployment rate since June 2008 (4.8 per cent) and the third lowest unemployment rate of all Australian states and territories.  Compared to the national average, the SA unemployment rate was half a percentage point lower.

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