The last day of school proir to the mid year break saw a 500 strong student strike and march against the Howard government in Melbourne. The activities on the day were organised by UNITE, the group campaiging against low pay and for casual workers rights. (more…)

As of July 1st the Howard Government will hold a majority in both Houses of Parliament, giving the Liberals an unhindered position to implement their neo-liberal agenda to cut social spending on education and welfare, and to attack working people. Due to the very real prospect of a world economic downturn, and in order to increase their profits, Howard is stepping up the interests of multinational corporations, and targeting young people and their future!
By Kylie McGregor, UNITE Co-ordinator Melbourne (more…)

By Kylie McGregor, Coordinator of UNITE
Howard, not content with the flexibility bosses get from casualisation, is renewing his push for Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), as the way to keep labour costs lower than ever. AWAs or individual contracts, attack collective agreements, the award system and protection mechanisms for employees. Ultimately, Howard?s AWAs are an attempt to strip away unions and the award system in one foul swoop. (more…)

UNITE will launch its petition this Monday in Melbourne, Bourke Street Mall. Unite aims to gather a minimum of 10,000 signatures to present to federal parliament. Lets make the politicians take note , and make casualisation an election issue! To get involved or to help out in any way contact UNITE 03 9328 1555.

Borders workers and Unite have beaten Borders management today!!
After weeks of intense campaigning by Unite and Borders staff, management today announced that they would not oppose the introduction of the Retail Award when the issue returns before the Industrial Relations Commission in Melbourne this week. (more…)

Unite has called a May Day Action on low pay and casualisation. More and more people are now talking about the unchecked rise in casualisation and the resulting problems of low pay, job insecurity and exploitation. Even Today Tonight this week had a special on the issue as well as articles this week in the Age. (more…)

The first ever Casual Workers Conference has been called by Unite for Saturday 3rd April 2004. The Conference will be an opportunity for the voice of casual workers to be heard. 2.2 million (1 million casual for over one year) face a working life without sickies, holidays, job security, the ability to get a loan and more. (more…)

Australia has 2.2 million casual workers and its growing fast. One million of them have been casual for over a year. That’s a vast number of workers who, while making profits for their employer, never get a sickie, holidays, enjoy job security, and find it next to impossible to get a bank loan. (more…)

Greg Bradshaw answers criticisms of UNITE that were posted on the Melbourne IndyMedia web site. The original UNITE post on the Melbourne Indymedia site plus the replies can be read here. Read the official UNITE reply below (more…)

See the entire list of dodgy bosses on Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne (more…)