Why join a union today?
Are your students struggling for help with unfavourable working conditions, long hours and or suddenly losing shifts? Teachers can be a source of information about joining a union.
Students may feel vulnerable and open to workplace unfairness. Membership of a union may help the student resolve some of the issues they face.
Over many years union members have worked towards establishing, then improving wages and working conditions. These need to continue to be protected and improved.
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that:
- Part-time workers who are union members earn $129 a week, or 42.9%, more than non-unionists
- Casual workers who are union members earn $164 per week, or 16.2%, more than non-unionists
- 15-19 year olds who are union members earn $140 per week, or 20.2%, more than non-unionists
That's why unions exist and why they are important.
Unions offer:
- Workplace representation, chiefly through
- Salary negotiation
- Dispute resolution
Sometimes disputes occur which cannot be resolved directly between the employee and employer. In that case, if you are a member of the relevant union you can seek help in sorting out the problem.
- Advice about health and safety in the workplace
- Discounts/offers
Some unions offer discounts and special deals for members, for example, discounts at various stores or movie tickets.
Examples of the types of services unions offer include those found on the NSW Teachers Federation site at
http://www.nswtf.org.au/about/benefits2.html
Some questions which may assist students:
- Do you have a casual job with unpredictable and unreliable hours?
- Are you paid less than older workers for doing exactly the same job?
- Have you ever been told by your boss that you can't or shouldn't join a union?
- Have you suddenly lost shifts after a birthday because your rate of pay went up?
- Have you lost shifts because you were sick or because you complained?
If a student answers YES to any of these questions maybe they should talk to a union.