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Trade unions

The role of a union

The role of a union or association of employees is to protect and promote the industrial relations rights and interests of its members through responsible representation delivered by a democratically run organisation or association.

Which union to join?

If you are unsure about which union you should join you can ask the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) by:

What are the benefits of joining a union?

Unions represent the industrial interests of their members and promote the enhancement of workplace entitlements and conditions for their members. In this regard, unions participate in negotiations with government, industry and/or employers about many key areas where they have developed policies for their membership. Key policy areas could include:

  • Pay rises
  • Breaks
  • Child care
  • Discrimination
  • Equal employment opportunity
  • Equal pay
  • Family responsibilities
  • Family support
  • Grievances
  • Health and safety issues
  • Leave entitlements
  • Paid maternity leave and pregnancy support
  • Parental leave/pre-natal leave
  • Part-time and casual work
  • Payment of wages/overtime allowances
  • Rosters
  • Sexual harassment
  • Superannuation
  • Termination/redundancy
  • Trainees/apprentices
  • Training
  • Warnings/counselling
  • Women’s policy
  • Workers compensation and rehabilitation
  • Youth and youth wages

A union's services to its members is not only about representing their industrial interests in the workplace (wages and conditions), most unions also provide additional members' services, such as:

To join or not to join a union?

The freedom of association provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9MB) protect a person's rights, without fear of discrimination:


Last updated: 03 October 2006

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