Get Involved

Why Join?

Good jobs mean a better life.

We work together to improve pay, conditions and job security. We help each other when the situation gets tough.

By joining the AWU we all get stronger.

AWU members get a better deal from work. We stand together to improve pay, conditions, and job security. We help each other when the situation gets tough.

The more people who join, the stronger we become.

We use our strength in numbers and our professional expertise to hammer out smart deals for members and create job security.

We drive a hard bargain that works for everyone in the long term.

 

Who can join?

From steelworkers to gold miners, fruit pickers to offshore gas workers, aluminium workers to hair stylists, we are unified by a commitment to progressive ideals and making a better Australia for all of us.

We fight for members’ rights – at the site level, at the negotiating table, in the courts, in parliament, through the media, and on the picket line.

We focus on improving wages and conditions at all times by representing our members’ best interests on a daily basis.

Get on board and you’ll be part of a large, powerful, modern and professional union that has been improving the lives of Australian workers for over 100 years.

As well as negotiating with your employer, the AWU provides legal help, insurance, and advice about work when you need it.

 

The AWU provides a wide range of membership services, including:

Negotiation of wages and conditions

The AWU professionally negotiates workplace enterprise agreements, which outline your wages, conditions and terms of employment. Employment conditions include annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, redundancy, ordinary working hours, overtime, break times, and superannuation. We work together to get the best deal possible.

The best wages and conditions are won in workplaces where union membership numbers are high. We’re always in a stronger bargaining position if we stand together and negotiate collectively.

The best way of improving your wages and conditions is by making sure you and your workmates are AWU members.

Advice on industrial and workers’ compensation issues

Members have access to assistance on workers’ compensation through our partner, Masselos & Co (Greater Sydney ), MRM Lawyers (Newcastle) Nikolovski Lawyers (Wollongong). If you need help with compensation matters, please contact your organiser or your branch office and we can refer you. Members are entitled to a free first consultation.

Recovery of underpayment of wages and super

Your wages are determined by the National Employment Standards and your workplace’s enterprise agreement or, if your workplace does not have an enterprise agreement, the award for your industry.

You can find your agreement or award by searching the Fair Work Commission website. If you need help interpreting your agreement or award, or if you feel you have been underpaid, please contact your branch office.

Fighting unfair dismissals

Have you been unfairly dismissed? Please contact your branch office as soon as possible for your case to be reviewed. Unfair dismissals must be lodged with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal.

Be a part of our community.

Join the AWU.

Stronger together.

 

Member Benefits