ASU members cover a broad range of outdoor and indoor employees in the local government, the electricity industry, the water industry, public transport as well as areas of state government departments or corporations, the Australian Taxation Office , Federal Government Ministerial Advisers, M.P’s and Senators Staff . Our members range from level Cert I - II, trades , parra and professionals, support staff, admin clerical, child care workers , librarians, art gallery staff , sport and recreation , health inspectors, train station staff, and more all providing Quality Public Services to each and every, town, city and community across Australia.
Our state branches work with members in the above industries for bargaining, and a range of state related areas. With National Office managing ASU national industry relationships, federal government political and policy, national industry skills councils, pursuing federal government industry funding, providing platforms for state official’s to work on or at a industry level, industry regulation and laws that are increasingly moving national, as well as working with ASU branches at a industry and industrial level to achieve industry wide and cross boarder outcomes for members.
Industry Divisions of the ASU
In addition to projects and communications, lobbying and a range of industry advice, the ASU convenes national industry divisions made up of Branch representatives to provide direct industry advice, input to national actions, cross Branch industry dialogue, and much more, often in the same way as the national industry employer bodies do.
Industry Divisions meet individually, or with other industry events, or in conjunction with other industry divisions, usually meeting between one and three times per year. Meetings cover issues like - industry wide actions, campaigns, contracting out, shared services campaigns, superannuation, federal industry awards standards, the increasing importance of public services at a national level, funding or regulation , State reports by Branches , What is taking place in Branches across the Country and the ASU National Industry Workforce Plan submission plus more.
Industry Divisions Include –
Local Government
Energy and Electricity Industry
Water
Railway and Public Transport
State and Federal Govt Services
Some of the recent industry highlights include -
· National Local Government Industry Skills Forum - Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, Industry employer bodies, industry skills councils and ASU Branches.
· Reforms in the A.B.C.C – more to do.
· Year of Women In Local Government projects
· Council of Australian Local Government participation
· National health/hospital transfer debate – Local Government - Home Care, council health programs, aged care, trades and house hold fit out services
· Child Care - lobbying and policy.
· Submissions and appearances before Parliament, Senate and Productivity Commission hearings for issues like Trade agreements, Skills Shortages and Regional Employment., Cost Shifting, Waste collection.
· Industry lobbying Ministers, M.P/s and Senators
· Federal Government policy changes including ALP national conference.
· Electricity 98% of industry covered by collective bargaining – private and public sector, generation, transmission, distribution and retail.
· Local Government around 673 separate employers across the country – industry information and actions critical.
· Industry Skills Councils Projects.
· Standards Australia projects
· Energy Industry Government White paper.
· ASU Superannuation Campaign
· Various Industry Regulation meeting and representation.
· Rank and File Electrical Technical Committee discussions
· Australian Energy Regulator Relationships and actions outcomes.
· MOPS EBA agreement - Federal Government, House of Representatives, Senators, Prime Minister’s Staff & Advisors. Removes AWAs, includes superannuation increase to 15.75% (for those previously at 9% contribution)
· State Governments and Local Governments continue to examine water services models and reforms, including Private Public Partnerships, often related to global multi- nationals – challenges for our industries.
· Railway Safety industry projects including A.R.A.
· Plus more ………..
