The 2025 Year in Review of the Australian Workers' Union - WA Branch.
YEAR IN REVIEW 2025
SECRETARY WA BRANCH REPORT
YEAR IN REVIEW 2025 - BUILDING WORKPLACE POWER I am extremely proud to present the 2025 AWU WA Branch Year in Review. This year’s report is more than a summary of activity — it is a record of collective strength in action. It captures the challenges we confronted, the member-led campaigns we ran, and the agreements we fought for and won, while always focusing on lifting wages and improving working conditions. Across the state, our organisers, delegates and members demonstrated what stronger together truly means. We backed our delegates, equipped our members, and when it mattered most, our members stepped up — taking protected industrial action in pursuit of fair pay, secure jobs, and safe workplaces. Power is not given, it is built, and this year we continued to proudly build workplace power hand in hand with our members from all corners of WA. From Alcoa members in Kwinana confronting the reality of refinery closure, to WMWA mining members in the Pilbara standing firm against BHP and Rio Tinto; from DBCA bush firefighters taking industrial action, to Bechtel onshore civil construction members at Pluto 2 refusing to be left behind - AWU members drew a clear line in the sand. I want to sincerely thank our WA Branch staff and organising team, who once again went above and beyond in support of our members. My thanks also to the WA Branch Executive, whose leadership reflects the breadth and strength of Western Australia’s industrial landscape. Thank you for your continued trust and support, standing with us as we build workplace power together. Brad Gandy WA Branch Secretary The Australian Workers’ Union
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
RETIRED MEMBERS BBQ
DO YOU KNOW A RETIRED MEMBER? Every AWU member who retires from working in WA is entitled to apply to be a retired member. The Retired membership is $10 a year and retired members receive ongoing union communications, invitations to exclusive events and May Day each year. This year AWU WA Branch President, Andy Hacking hosted a Retired Members BBQ at Wells Park in Kwinana Beach to say thank you to all the retired members south of Perth. The BBQ was a success attend by well over a hundred AWU members who gathered to hear from AWU President, Andy Hacking and WA Branch Secretary, Brad Gandy. Members also heard from Life Members like Henry Rozmianiec who shared his experience of Organising workers at Alcoa’s Pinjarra Refinery and the Goldfields and Karratha in the 80s and 90s. Stories were shared from recent BP and Alcoa shutdowns, EBA campaigns and the many new workplaces represented by the union were discussed as we reflected on the many battles ahead for the mighty Australian Workers’ Union in 2026.
Life member - Henry Rozmianiec
MAY DAY 2025 UNION MEMBERS MARCH IN FREMANTLE The AWU family hit the streets of Fremantle in force once again to march proudly in the May Day parade celebrating all the hard-fought struggles and wins of the AWU and the wider union movement in Western Australia. The AWU delegation was led by WA Branch Secretary, Brad Gandy who proudly guided AWU members from the Esplanade through Fremantle and back. The dedication of our members was on display with over 300 members taking part in the AWU May Day march - our best turnout to date! We were proud to march alongside our union brothers and sisters including our Offshore Alliance and Western Mine Workers’ Alliance members who had a strong presence within the AWU delegation. Our members are our union and we couldn’t be prouder of our AWU members who came from far and wide with many travelling from the South West, Great Southern, Mid-west, Pilbara, Kalgoorlie and beyond to show their support for the AWU.
Thank you to everyone who attended and if you’re yet to attend talk to your organiser!
OFFSHORE ALLIANCE AWU & MUA - FIGHTING FROM THE FRONT The Offshore Alliance is a joint organising campaign of the AWU and MUA to fight for improved pay and conditions and standards of West Coast oil and gas workers. 2025 has been another big year for the Offshore Alliance. If 2024 was marked as the year the Offshore Alliance took on West Coast and multinational offshore construction companies to significantly improve the pay and conditions of our members, 2025 is the year that the Alliance has made it’s mark on onshore oil and gas construction projects in WA. PLUTO 2 - BECHTEL’S FAILED GAMBIT
The biggest onshore construction project in Western Australia right now is Pluto 2 - and what a shambles it has been. Pluto 2 is disorganised and characterised by a failure by Bechtel to meet critical deadlines, KPI’s and quality control standards. The project is a long way behind schedule and is a revolving door of workers leaving due to poor pay and conditions and hostile management. The low hourly rates of pay are a key feature of Pluto 2, with workers being paid 30% less than the real wages of oil and gas construction workers at Chevron and Woodside’s Wheatstone project paid back in 2017.
Superannuation is paid on just 54% of project hours, and Pluto 2 workers are paid for working 10 hours a day despite door-to-door hours on Pluto 2 (including breaks and travel) being 11.5 hours per day. The Offshore Alliance were asked by members who had moved onto the Pluto 2 project to re-organise Pluto 2 in April 2025 – some 3 years after the project commenced. Those members who had ended up at Pluto 2 were disgusted by the low wages, poor safety standards and repugnant treatment of worker by Bechtel – the US multinational project management company running the job. In taking the same rank and file approach to Pluto 2 as the approach we have adopted on every oil and gas project, site and facility since we formed in October 2018, the Offshore Alliance has now organised several hundred workers at Pluto 2 with 99% of OA members supporting and Protected Industrial Action on site in the new year.
Bechtel have reacted with the response typical of the US multinationals we have dealt with in oil and gas over the past 7 years. BECHTEL SMASHED BY OA BALLOTS At one stage, they refused to deal with the OA on the grounds that they didn’t like our member endorsed bargaining claims. In January next year, the OA lawyers will be dealing with a Bechtel initiated legal proceeding in the FWC to try and remove us from the project – simply because we haven’t towed the Company line and we are “difficult” to deal with. Workers should choose what Union they belong to – not multinational employers looking for an easy ride. Pluto 2 is set to implode in 2026 with 2 failed ballots by Bectel to get up a sub-standard EBA and Protected Industrial Action ready to kick off. OFFSHORE ALLIANCE GROWS Across our broader membership, the Offshore Alliance now has 4,200 financial AWU members (in addition to the AWU WA Branch membership), 130 Union negotiated EBA’s and 30 EBA’s to negotiate in 2026. Our biggest offshore EBA campaign for 2025 is undoubtedly the campaign by our Monos and Legeneering members on the Woodside Platforms and FPSO’s. Our members were out the gate for 54 days in securing an industry standard EBA – great work by our members in holding the line in their successful fight for Union standards. With more organising and legal resources coming in 2026 for the Offshore Alliance - we will be kicking arse for the working-class next year. We want to thank our members for their support and the Branch leadership of the AWU (WA and National) and MUA for their ongoing support.
WMWA IN THE PILBARA WMWA EXPANDS THE ALLIANCE
The Western Mine Workers’ Alliance (WMWA), an alliance between the AWU and MEU have been proudly fighting for iron ore workers in the Pilbara since 2013. Now, the Alliance will fight for ALL mining and mining related workers at every Pilbara mine site, mining town and port operations, no matter who you work for including contractors and labour hire workers. This is an exciting new chapter as we grow our Fight for Fair across the Pilbara!
RIO TINTO’S SICK CUTS PROVE EBA NEED In August, Rio Tinto announced sweeping changes to their sick leave policy, blindsiding our members and removing a condition many relied on. Unfortunately, the sick leave policy was not enshrined in an EBA meaning that Rio only needed to “consult” it’s workforce and “consider” the feedback. Under an EBA, the only way they could change the sick leave provisions would be through a negotiation with workers and ultimately a vote. There has not been a clearer example of the need for an EBA at Rio Tinto.
THE FIGHT FOR FAIR CONTINUES The WMWA continues to fight for fair in 2025, we are unashamedly pursuing better pay and conditions for our members at the BHP Area C, South Flank, Rio Rail, BHP Port Operations, and Paraburdoo. Rio Tinto’s sick cuts have proven the need for union Enterprise Bargaining Agreements in the Pilbara and our members deserve better. The WMWA team continues to push back against BHP’s MAC and South Flank fighting for guaranteed annual pay increases, pay equity amongst its workforce, detailed classification structure and compensation for delayed flights.
BHP PORT OPERATIONS After months of preparation and planning, WMWA, ETU and other bargaining representatives met in December for the first of a series of negotiation meetings. WMWA BHP Port Ops members have endorsed their log of claims, are organised and ready to ensure they get a fair deal that ensures: • The job security of members; • Pay equity across the workforce through a fair and transparent classification and salary system; and • Guaranteed annual pay increases that keep up with CPI. The first meeting was positive with parties finding common ground on many areas, we are hopeful that BHP will take our members’ claims seriously.
SILICA DUST KILLS This year the WMWA supported and referred its sixth member for the year to medical and legal experts for advice and support on silica and asbestos exposure. When your employer tells you silica, asbestos and other dangerous dusts aren’t an issue in the Pilbara, ask them just how many deaths do think you it takes to become an issue? If you think you may have exposed or have any questions occupational dust exposures, contact you WMWA organiser for more information.
YANDI CLOSURE The WMWA wrote to BHP about impending winding down of its Yandi operations asking for BHP to: • Freeze recruitment across WAIO to allow for Yandi workers to be easily redeployed. • Give workers who want to stay options for redeployment and give workers who want to go the option to go. • To properly consult with Union about the proposed job losses. If you want more information about what we are doing for our members at Yandi get in touch with your Organiser.
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
BUSH FIREFIGHTING
DBCA Delegates meet in Bunbury
16.8% PAY INCREASE SECURED - NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT AWU Bush Firies took industrial action and achieved a landmark pay deal increasing their base rate by 16.8% over a three year agreement. This outcome was a direct result of two industrial actions taken by members who applied pressure on the State Government in the middle of the prescibed burning season. Our members undertook a ban on overtime interupting the prescibed burning program and
ultimately forcing DBCA to listen to our members concerns and increase their base rate.
When workers stand together they are stronger together.
We took action together and achieved a deal that provides you with improved pay and conditions and recommit to ensure the fire agreement is just as good. We couldn’t talk about our DBCA bush firefighters without acknowledging their efforts in December fighting fires north of Geraldton and in Ravensthorpe. Thank you for everything you do keeping our communities safe from bushfires, we simply cannot thank you all enough. Our DBCA members embodied this and through their solidarity have achieved the most significant uplift in their base rate of pay in recent memory. The AWU kept our promise made in the Year in Review 2024 - that we would not relent like our members when they fight fires
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
CIVIL CONSTRUCTION
ALKIMOS DESALINATION PLANT - SEAWATER TUNNEL The AWU has stamped our mark as the Civil Construction and Tunnelling union in WA once again after signing the Alkimos Seawater Alliance Inshore Tunnel Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with Acciona in early 2025. AWU members build our country and our members building the Seawater tunnel as part of the new Desalination Plant are no different. The largest steel water main pipeline ever made in Western Australia, manufactured in Kwinana with a diameter of 1.6 metres will form the majority of a 33.5 kilometre underground water main connecting the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant to Water Corporation’s Wanneroo Reservoir.
The pipeline is expected to be completed and commissioned by 2028. The project is expected to produce a whopping 150 million litres of drinking water per day or 50 billion litres annually. Your union currently represents hundreds of members on the site with 1,300 jobs expected over the lifetime of the project. Our Organising team lead by Andy Hacking and Dan McCaig have hit the tunnel project hard fighting for our members’ interests. Remember, if you are working on a Civil Construction project in Western Australia the AWU is your union.
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
ALUMINA - ALCOA
ALCOA MEMBERS PREPARE TO BARGAIN ONCE AGAIN Our AWU members at Alcoa are gearing up for another round of negotiations after delegates met in Pinjarra for the Allsites Delegate AGM. The AWU negotiation committee will once again go toe to toe with Alcoa management who will try to use every excuse in the book to minimise members wage increases. Our members know their worth and with the recent Gallium project announcement we will be pushing for a pay rise that addresses cost of living concerns held by members. END OF AN ERA - ALCOA KWINANA On the last day of September this year, Alcoa announced it was formally closing the Kwinana Refinery after 62 years of operations in WA. While this was not unexpected, we are still saddened by the decision to move the refinery from a curtailment to a closure. This decision leaves the 200 remaining workers and their families at Kwinana with an uncertain future. The union will continue to work with Alcoa to ensure no one is left behind and all affected workers have the opportunity to transfer or receive their redundancy as outlined in their EBA. Members will continue to be supported by their Convenor, Curtis Vassallo, Alumina Organiser Rebecca Donovan and the All-Sites Committee. ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS The AWU has been in direct conversation with Alcoa, the State Government, Members of Parliament and the Premier about Alcoa’s Environmental Approvals and Mine Management Plans staunching advocating for our members’ interests. Earlier this year the AWU wrote to every member of the State Government to remind them of the importance of these approvals being granted. While Alcoa is far from perfect our members and their communities should not have to suffer for Alcoa’s missteps. We will continue to advocate for our members’ jobs and ensure every MP and decision maker is aware of the value our members work provides to local communities in the Perth, Peel and South West regions.
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
MINING & GOLDFIELDS
GOLD FIELDS AUSTRALIA - BARGAINING BEGINS Gold Fields Australia issued the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) in October and it’s time to get you a better deal at work. Last negotiations Gold Fields Australia rushed through and locked in a substandard deal which created a two-tier system when it came to our members’ wages and conditions. It’s time that changed and our members are fighting back. AWU Organisers, Willie Hope and Tony Hall have been busy speaking with members across Gold Fields Australia’s sites in the Goldfields including; Gruyere, Granny Smith, St Ives and Agnew mine sites. During the second EBA negotiation meeting in December Gold Fields Australia presented their log of claims, making it clear that they do not wish to see any changes to the current remuneration arrangements. Specifically, GFA has stated it is their intention to continue using their existing corporate salary review process with no guaranteed pay increases or improvements to pay, conditions or job security included in their offer.
This simply isn’t good enough and our members deserve better.
SINO IRON - FIGHTING FOR FAIR In October, Assistant State Secretary, Craig Beveridge and Senior Legal Officer, Eunice Ong joined North West Organiser, Andy Duffy to catch up with our members at Sino Iron to answer their questions as we prepare for bargaining once again. Eunice was able to help a handful of members and even signed up a new member after listening to their workplace issue and later supporting them through it. If you’re working at Sino Iron and would like to find out more about your upcoming agreement get in touch with your Organiser, Andy Duffy.
Eunice, Craig and Andy at Sino Iron’s pit.
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
WATER CORPORATION
AWU MEMBERS READY TO FIGHT AT WATER CORPORATION Our members at Water Corporation are deep into their EBA negotiations with little to show for it.
Water Corporation is a Government Trading Enterprise (GTE) who change their hat based on who they’re talking to. When it comes to reporting to the Minister, they’re Government owned but when it comes to negotiating their workforce’s pay and conditions, they’re a GTE and not a public sector employer. The recent EBA meetings start times were delayed and every single one of our members’ log of claims were REJECTED or PARKED (to later be rejected). Water Corp would then inform unions present that the conditions offered to workers were “generous provisions in line with the NES”. This is when the AWU called them out - the National Employment Standards are the bare legal minimum; they are NOT generous and as a GTE they should be ashamed. Adding to the chaos that has been Water Corp’s approach to negotiations the most recent meeting was cut short by a “pre-scheduled” fire drill. You heard that right, pre-scheduled. If this is Water Corp’s idea of “Efficient Negotiations,” we’d hate to see what they would deem to be inefficient. Water Corporation’s current pay offer and rejection of our members’ claims simply isn’t good enough and we will continue our fight for a better deal.
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
PALM WORKERS
PROTECTING VULNERABLE WORKERS Imagine getting your pay at the end of the week, but seeing most of it denied through dodgy deductions for accommodation and transport. For thousands of PALM Scheme workers, this is reality. And it’s not fair. Our PALM members in WA see plenty of dodgy deductions such as excessive charges for transport and ‘furnishing’ accommodation which is charged to every worker to ever reside in the property - whether the furniture is new or many years old. That’s why the AWU is calling for a cap on employer deductions under the PALM Scheme - 30% of a worker’s gross wage each week. It’s time to stop excessive deductions and make sure PALM workers receive a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work in our farms, abattoirs and care facilities. We are also calling for the creation of clearer accommodation standards including maximum ratios ratios of bedrooms, bathrooms and total living space per worker and a ban on employers charging workers for travel and visa procurement. PALM Organiser, Suliman has witnessed firsthand facilities with 24+ rooms housing 6 workers per room with 1 bathroom per 6 workers and 1 kitchen per 36 workers. No Australian worker would accept living in these conditions, so why should a PALM worker?
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
FOOD PROCESSING KEWDALE HATCHERY
AWU Food Processing Organiser, Suliman Ali would like to thank the AWU Delegates and negotiation team in securing their biggest pay increase yet, with every worker on average receiving a 4% pay increase per year for the lifetime of the agreement. The new agreement also includes new job progression classifications helping hatchery and farm workers earn more as they progress through the ranks, improved allowances, NES safety clauses and improved allowances leaving more in workers’ pockets.
MUSHROOM EXCHANGE Our members at Mushroom Exchange are celebrating another successful round of EBA negotiations. Members working at Mushroom Exchange will receive a pay increase of 3.75% in 2025, 2.75% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027. Ontop of these wage increases our members now have access to job grade progression after 3 months of working at the exchange. The new agreement also includes updated Delegates rights, superannuation and family and domestic violence leave clauses.
BENARA NURSERIES AWU Members at Benara Nurseries have had their say in their recent agreement negotiating; • Pay increase of 3.75% on the commencement of the agreement and 3%, 3%, 3% each year over the lifetime of the agreement; • New first aid and tool allowance; and • New Delegate Rights clause. Thank you to all of our dedicated delegates who helped make this new agreement a reality.
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
ROADS, FUEL & AUKUS MAIN ROADS The AWU has continued to build union and workplace power across Main Roads in Western Australia.
The AWU Main Roads EBA was approved this year and Main Roads Organiser, Jeff Pratt would like to thank every delegate and member for their input and hard work in securing an event better EBA. Main Roads members will receive a 5%, 4% and 3.5% wage rise over a 3 year EBA.
If you work in Road Maintenance the AWU is your union.
AIR LIQUIDE Organiser Ben Hughes and the Air Liquide AWU bargaining team have secured the Air Liquide Australia Enterprise Agreement 2025. The new EBA includes: • A pay increase of 3.5% this year, 3.25% pay increase in 2026 and a 2.75% pay increase in 2027; • Classifications uplift for team members stuck on lower levels meaning higher base pay; • Reduction in overall hours from 44 hours to 43 hours this year and from 43 hours to 43 hours in 2026 at the same rate of pay; and • The new rate from the EBA back payed to the previous nominal expiry date.
SHIPBUILDING, SUBS & AUKUS The AWU has proudly represented our members at ASC and Cleanaway for many years and we are currently in the middle of negotiations for the Cleanaway submarine agreement. Our union is excited by the prospect of the Henderson upgrade project, Mogami-Class Frigates and AUKUS projects which will provide our members and the West Australian workforce with the skills, research and industrial capacity for decades to come. We will be working directly with the State and Federal Governments and Sovereign Capability Provider Austal and contractors such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to help workers reap the many benefits of these projects.
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
GRAIN AND PORTS
CBH COUNTRY OP NEGOTIATORS CELEBRATING THE 2023 AGREEMENT IN PERTH
CBH COUNTRY OPS AGREEMENT STARTS SOON After a bumper record harvest the guys and gals at CBH Country Ops will be looking to negotiate their new agreement with a seasoned bargaining team ready to get members an even better deal in 2026. The seasoned negotiation team led by Jay Hammond consisting of; Jay Hammond, Jamie Marsden, Gareth Wilson, Tim Ingles, Mark Newton, Phil Stephens, Kevin Walsh, Scott Davidson and Darren Coles are currently preparing your log of claims. If you work at CBH Country Ops and wish to discuss the log of claim or any additions get in touch with your delegate or Jay who will be collating the log of claims on behalf of AWU members over the coming weeks. Recently our CBH Ports members had their agreements aligned receiving pay increases across the board with the AWU spending 2025 enforcing their agreements. Similarly, Metro Grain members saw a significant uplift with workers receiving wage increases of approximately 15%. In 2026 the AWU will be travelling across WA to visit our Country Ops sites and speak with members about what they’d like to see in their new agreement. If you have any questions about our plans for CBH in 2026 get in contact with your Organiser, Jeff Pratt or call our office on 08 9221 1686.
THANK YOU TO OUR AWU LEGENDS PADDY O’NEIL
DCBA Firefighter, Anthony – known as Paddy by his workmates celebrated 43 years of AWU membership and protecting our communities around Margaret River. Paddy started as a seasonal worker for Machine Pine Planting in 1980, and became a full-time part of the crew and union member after the 1982 winter season. Cheers to 43 years, Paddy, and thank you for your incredibly work firefighting in our WA forests!
PHIL HILL
Phil has been an AWU member for 38 years and an AWU Delegate for 30 of those 38 years at Alcoa’s Pinjarra Refinery. Phil retired in January and the AWU team of Rebecca, Dan and Andy paid him a visit at the Ravensthorpe Hotel to say thank you for his many years of service. The Pinjarra crew will sorely miss his wise words and guidance as a seasoned Delegate!
GUY WROTH
Guy, also known by his friends as “Mr Albany” has fought for working people in Albany for decades - leading the fight against WorkChoices locally and supporting our Main Roads members through the recent in-housing. Guy has worked for AWU Members of Parliament in Albany, Peter Watson, Alannah MacTiernan and Rebecca Stephens but has recently hung up the gloves to enjoy retirement. Thank you for everything you’ve done to ensure our members’ voices are heard in Albany and the State Government Guy!
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
WA LABOR CONFERENCE
AWU CALLS UPON STATE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION In November, AWU Delegates from across WA proudly represented our members at the WA Labor Conference 2025. We might not always see eye to eye with the Government, but we will always have our members’ backs when it comes to their workplace safety and rights at work. Our AWU Delegates successfully called on WA Labor to: • Review the Enough is Enough report - fighting for our members’ rights to a workplace safe from sexual harrassment and violence. • Introduce a comprehensive Silica Dust monitoring regime and lower the Workplace Exposure Limit in WA’s mining industry. • Back our members in shipbuilding by reaffirming our commitment to AUKUS , the $12 billion investment in the Henderson Precinct upgrade and Mogami-class frigate projects to transform our skills, productivity, industrial capacity and research capabilities in WA. • Support our members in the Containers for Change scheme in our push for an industry-wide agreement to be negotiated with the AWU to improve the pay and conditions of all Container Deposit scheme workers. • Protect vulnerable PALM workers by capping dodgy deductions from their employers to 30% , improve accommodation standards, improve access to superannuation for PALM workers, increase union involvement in the scheme and adequately resource DWER to protect all PALM workers. Our union successfully fought for these issues and a raft of others including making TAFE more affordable and supporting people with disabilities to get back to work. Thank you to all the AWU Delegates who travelled from Perth, Peel, Goldfields, Great Southern and the South West to join us in Fremantle to fight for our members and their futures proving that we are stronger together.
THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS’ UNION
THE BIG ISSUES OF 2025/26 SHIPBUILDING - AUKUS
The AWU is committed to AUKUS, the the Henderson Precinct upgrade and Mogami-class frigate projects. We support the skilled, long term and well-paid union jobs these projects will bring to Western Australia. As the shipbuilding union the AWU will ensure all workers reap the benefits of this project and will work with the State and Federal Governments to ensure it’s delivery. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH In 2022, the AWU and Western Mine Workers’ Alliance (WMWA) called out horrifying behaviour in the FIFO and mining sector and called for systemic change, the industry pledged to do better. Our members, especially those at Gold Fields Australia tell us that not much has changed since 2022 and this simply isn’t good enough . All workers, both women and men deserve to feel safe at work. This isn’t an optics issue, this is a safety issue and we will always hold the mining industry to account when it comes to providing a safe workplace for all mine workers. SILICA DUST KILLS The AWU has and will continue to call on the WA Government to implement Silica Dust Monitoring in WA mine sites to protect our members from deadly silica dust. We’ve successfully banned engineered stone products, and now it’s time we monitor and reduce exposure for our workers in the mining industry too. CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE AWU members working in the Containers for Change scheme have been working incredibly hard recycling cans, containers and bottles - keeping our community clean. Currently workers in the Containers for Change scheme are frequently exposed to broken glass, sharps, excessive noise, repetitive strain injury and traffic while experiencing some of the lowest pay and conditions in WA. The AWU called upon the State Government to introduce an industry-wide agreement and the State Minister has agreed to support our push for better pay and conditions for these workers.
STRONGER TOGETHER - SINCE 1886
CHRISTMAS COMPETITION Members can access Journey Cover after a short 14-day waiting period and are covered for a period of 104 weeks (2 years). Further, if you suffer permanent or total disablement or accidental death during your journey, you or your dependents will receive a lump-sum payment of up to $100,000. You can find more information on this member benefit by contacting your AWU Organiser or our Perth office on 08 9221 1686. Since Journey Cover began it has helped dozens of AWU members in Western Australia paying out over $300,000 to members including a packing machine operator who was injured on the way to work and was paid 85 per cent of his salary for the 7 weeks he was off work totalling $17,500 when he needed it the most. AWU Journey Cover insures you, our members for up to $2500 a week if you are injured on your way to or from work. AWU Journey Cover comes at no extra cost to financial (paid-up) WA Branch, Offshore Alliance and Western Mine Workers’ Alliance members. ONE YEAR OF JOURNEY COVER MEMBER BENEFIT CONTINUES TO IMPRESS AWU MEMBERS On 1 October 2024, the AWU WA Branch launched a new member benefit for all financial members - AWU Journey Cover! The WA Branch is now celebrating one year since Journey Cover was launched and we are reliably informed by members who have accessed journey cover on how life changing this member benefit has been to them.
STANDING WITH MEMBERS ALL YEAR INCLUDING WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES NEAR!
In the year 2025, this Christmas the AWU is giving away 25 member merchandise packs for 25 of our most deserving members. In the season of giving the AWU will be giving; 5x $200 IKEA Vouchers, 5x $100 Bunnings Vouchers and 5x $100 Woolies Vouchers and 10x Summer Member Merch Packs to members who are nominated by their colleagues or themselves. Simply comment on our Christmas Competition Facebook post why you think you or your nominated member deserves to win by Tuesday, 23 December 2025 to go into the draw to win! Winners will be announced on our Facebook page on 24 December 2025, remember you’ve got to be in it to win it!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all AWU members in WA.
(08) 9221 1686
www.awu.net.au/wa AWUWesternAustralia admin@awuwa.asn.au
Authorised by Brad Gandy, WA Branch Secretary, The Australian Workers’ Union
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