A Message from the QLD Branch Secretary: AWU Members fighting for Respect!

Queensland AWU members have kicked off 2025 with some great wins! With some very large EBA’s up for negotiation this year, it’s incredibly important to become active and engaged with your union.

AWU members have been on the front line of Queensland’s response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Whether it was maintaining our water treatment plants to ensure drinkable water, parks and gardens staff at Councils assisting with clean-up efforts, or Queensland Health staff continuing to work around the clock staffing our public hospitals, these members continue to show exemplary public service for their local communities.

You are heroes who deserve respect, and your union will do everything in our power to make sure that those efforts will not go unnoticed next time we’re at the bargaining table.

My thoughts are also with all of our members who endured unpaid shutdowns or had their property damaged as a result of the natural disaster. This has been an incredibly difficult period for so many people in our communities. Your union will continue to support you with your industrial interests as the clean-up continues.

2025 is a massive year for public sector bargaining, with members who work for Queensland Health and the Department of Transport and Main Roads getting ready to fight for better wages and conditions. These agreements cover Queensland Health operational service workers like kitchen staff, wardspeople, cleaners and security guards, health practitioners, nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, and civil construction workers at Transport and Main Roads.

QLD Health members are ready for the fight

Many public health members haven’t had to bargain against a conservative Government before. While this may present some challenges, this round of bargaining also comes with the opportunity to secure higher wages, protect our job security and improve the health and safety of these frontline heroes.

Security Officers at Ipswich Hospital are continuing to stand together and stay strong to protect themselves from occupational violence and psychosocial risk. AWU members have taken control of their workplace safety by unionising and refusing to carry out tasks that put them at an imminent risk of occupational violence while the employer continues to not have adequate controls to mitigate the risk.

Ipswich Hospital members stand up for safety

Despite attempts from the boss to undermine their campaign, they’ve held strong and made big gains on their workplace health and safety. When we join up and stick together, we can’t lose!

AWU members at NRG’s Gladstone Power Station have proven that they are stronger, together, winning super at 2% above the legislated rate, a 9.5% wage uplift in the first year (then 4% every year after) and a CPI safeguard to ensure wages don’t go backwards.

These members knew their worth and fought to bring their workplace up to industry standards. Congratulations to everyone involved in this campaign!