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It’s important to know what to do if your manager formally asks you to attend a meeting to discuss your performance. It may be for a serious matter, it may not. But it’s important you take it seriously. Here is some advice about what to do in the first instance. Remember to call the union on (03) 9341 3300.

Unpaid overtime takes $116 billion from household incomes every year. The annual loss to a full time works is calculated at $10,641, or a weekly loss of
$205. For a part-time or casual worker, its $7,840 annual loss and a weekly loss of $151.

ABS data released this morning shows that the unemployment rate has increased 0.1 to 5.2 per cent, underemployment has also jumped sharply, up 0.3 to 8.5 per cent. There are more than 1 million people underemployed.

Guy Metcalfe has been a union member in every job he has had since 1984. He has been a member of the HWU for 22 years which included membership of the BCOM of the old Branch 5 and has served as a delegate for 15 of those years.

Technological change within the workforce is not a new phenomenon. The fourth Industrial Revolution is creating a digitally enabled environment that will impact every workplace. Digital innovation and technology will transform the way that you do your work.

On 1 July 2019, the Government will introduce new laws designed to make sure that you do not pay unnecessary fees and insurance premiums related to your Superannuation.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently increased the Minimum Wage to $19.49 an hour (starting 1st July 2019), or $740.80 a week for those of us lucky enough to be able to get a full-time job. The increase in pay will apply to workers that have their pay determined by the National Minimum Wage or a Modern Award.

It is with immense sorrow and gratitude that the Australian union movement acknowledges the passing of Bob Hawke.

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (ACHR) was developed by the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Healthcare in 2007 and 2008. The ACHR has been endorsed by Australia’s Health Ministers for use across the country.

Update - Victorian Labour Hire Licensing Regulations (2018)

In May of each year the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare releases its report on admitted patient care in Australian hospitals. The report was released on the 24th May 2018.

The Health Workers Unions is concerned about the mental and physical health of our members. According to the second annual national statement issued by Safe Work Australia titled “Psychosocial Health & Safety & Bullying in Australian Workplaces 2015 (based on accepted workers compensation claims)” Hospitals and Other Health Care Services, such as aged and disability services, have the highest frequency rates of harassment and/or bullying compared to other industries.

The Victorian Government has released a number of watershed reforms that aim to address gender inequality, sexism and violence against women.

The Australian Government will implement new rules to assist consumers to make a more informed decision about Private Health Insurance from the 1st April 2019.

Latest News In The Victorian Health Sector. Victoria's Portable Long Service Leave Update November 2018

Women currently working in the health sector have a final opportunity to register their interest in a scholarship worth up to $8,000 to support participation in a leadership development program.

Attention Members: Opportunity to participate in important Aged Care Research Study

​It’s amazing to look back and see just how far our world has come technologically. If someone from 100 years ago suddenly found themselves in today’s world, they would think they had been teleported into another dimension.

Australians have always taken for granted that when they need medical treatment, their Medicare card (and the taxes that they have paid) entitles them to prompt quality health care.

The Victorian community sector and Health and Human Services Partnership Implementation Committee (HSHPIC) are working collaboratively to develop a 10 year Community Sector Industry Plan (CSIP) for Victoria.

The Australian Productivity Commission is currently conducting a public Inquiry into the increased application of competition, contestability and informed user choice to human services.

On February 23rd, 2017 the Fair Work Commission (FWC) recommended a cut to penalty rates for hospitality and retail workers.

The Health Workers Union supports a lifelong learning approach to skills development and career progression. In a fast changing healthcare industry it Is essential for health workers to maintain clinical skills and knowledge, and to continue providing the best quality care to all patients.

BUPA workers vote down managements proposed enterprise agreement with a paltry payrise of 2.3%. Now what?

Philip Lowe, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia has called on workers to demand big pay rises from their bosses. Philip Lowe said what we all have suspected for some time!

WORKSAFE has finally launched the “It’s never OK’ campaign. The campaign has been designed to help increase awareness of Violence against healthcare workers and to reduce the rate of verbal and physical assault that out healthcare workers have been subjected to.

HWU Secretary Diana Asmar speaks up for 127 low-paid Cabrini linen workers in Dandenong that are set to lose their jobs!

Most of you may have heard about the shocking cuts to penalty rates (including weekends and public holidays) that were recently announced by the Fair-work Commission.

Finally, after years of high gas prices and shortages, the federal government has been forced to do something about the problem of greedy suppliers that continue to put overseas profits before local gas customers.

​It was my first Union rally. I felt like I was about to participate in something important and was motivated by the desire to help others.

Most of you would have heard about Australia’s Gas problems, with South Australia experiencing power blackouts on numerous occasions during this summer due to energy shortages and storms.

The Health Workers Union Assistant Secretary David Eden and Research & Projects Officer Kamal Bekhazi gave evidence at the Federal Senate Inquiry into Corporate Avoidance of the Fair Work Act on the 14th March 2017

The federal government is trying to make changes that will hurt the battlers and benefit the Rich!

The Andrews Labor Government will deliver landmark reforms to protect women and children, with the release of a 10 Year Plan to end family violence.

Most people would have heard about the Federal Governments new Centrelink Automated Debt Recovery Program by now.

I’ve just had a letter from the Government that says that Malcolm Turnbull will be cutting my pension. My husband and I will be losing $6,120 a year, or $117.70 a week.

The HWU believes that the 457 and other Visa schemes (187,189) that involve the importation of labour (at least 180, 000 people per year and up to 240,000) have the potential to cause more harm than good to the Australian industrial relations framework, employment practices and the community in general.

Remember where you were today for history’s sake! After three years and a double dissolution election the Turnbull Government’s signature industrial relations bill has passed the Senate in the last sitting week of 2016.

Right now corporate power is out of control in Australia and across the world. Working people can’t get decent pay rises, there is mass exploitation of workers at places like 7-Eleven and inequality is rapidly on the rise. Rather than tackle these issues, the Turnbull government is hell-bent on attacking union members – the very people who can help get wages growing and end exploitation.

We are please to announce that we have a new website

The emotional and financial cost of bullying have been revealed at Ballarat Health Services