UnionsWA has commented on the release by the ACTU of a McKell Institute report “Counting the Cost: The Impact of Sunday Penalty Rate Reductions on Urban Australia (June,2017)”.  The full report is available online here.

UnionsWA has commented on new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which shows that the number of working West Australians paid under awards - around 170,000 – is growing but with many now receiving less hours of work and pay that two years ago.

UnionsWA and the Health Services Union of WA (HSUWA) have today commented on the release by the Barnett Government of its’ Mid-Year Financial Projections Statement.

UnionsWA today joined with other unions to criticise the announced election policy of the Barnett Liberal Government to cut penalty pay and called for a constructive policy to create jobs in WA.  

UnionsWA has commented on the release today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) of data on apprentice and trainee numbers in WA. Over the four years from 2011 to 2015 the number of 15 to 19 year old West Australians commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship have declined from 10,500 to 7,400. 

UnionsWA has today released results of a poll, commissioned on behalf of the Save Our Services campaign, of six key marginal electorates in WA which points to a large swing against the government. The poll canvassed key issues of concern to voters, issues that will be key to deciding the election.

September 8 is Equal Pay Day and UnionsWA has highlighted the huge difference in superannuation savings of women and men and has proposed a number of urgent reforms. 

UnionsWA has today commented on the release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics of data showing a huge, 16.6%, increase in individual contractor employment in WA in just one year.  These figures fly in the face of other economic indicators and suggest growing use of sham contractor arrangements that deny working people job security, leave and basic entitlements. 

Find out the bigger story behind the scenes of this week's news. 

The front page of The West Australian on Tuesday was all about the big business paying to poll WA voters so the Liberals could argue over who gets the job of Premier of WA.

"Lib Debacle" The West Australians 23/8/16, pg 1

Two days later there was a much bigger story but you had to turn to page six to find it - the latest ABS stats on jobs and unemployment.  

Here it is if you missed it.  

"Unemployment malaise" The West Australian 25/8/16, pg 6

The count is almost over but the result is in. The Turnbull government has been returned with the slimmest of margins. However, an election is about more than just the people elected to office. It is a contest of values, issues and ideas and how these are fought out and how they come together to shape government and our society. This election was also a turning point for union members and our values.

It's time to take the lessons learned federally and turn our focus to the State Election in 2017.