The Australian Workers' Union is Australia's oldest Trade Union. It was established in 1886, by Miners, Labourers, and Shearing Industry Workers. Since 1886 the AWU has had a proud history of defending the rights of workers in Government Instrumentalities, Aquaculture and Marine Products, Agricultural, Civil Construction and Earthmoving, Food, Forestry, Horticulture, Metalliferous Mining, Manufacturing, Processing, Racing, Smelters and a host of other Industries.

The AWU is one of Australia's largest and strongest Unions committed to protecting security of employment ,working conditions, and rates of pay

The Union is a group of people with common interests who have joined together to maintain and improve their wages and working conditions.

The chances are that your employer is a member of a union. It may be the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) or the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) or the Civil Construction Federation (CCF). Why do they join an association but try to discourage you from doing the same?

The Union fights for the interest of its members in a variety of ways.

The Union lobbies politicians on industrial health and safety, employment and training issues. You need a strong voice to ensure that when political decisions are being made, your legitimate interests are taken into account.

The Union will fight for your interests, as you would expect your employer or their employer association to fight for them.

Minimum Conditions of Employment Legislation, Health & Safety Legislation, Workers Compensation Legislation have been fought for and gained by the Union Movement. In recent years the Mining Industry ‘Hours of Work Campaign’, Transmission of Business provisions for the state’s Industrial Relations Act and changes to the Long Service Leave Act are just a few examples of the AWU in Tasmania continuing to deliver political outcomes for workers.

The Union provides a range of services to members free of charge or at minimal cost. By becoming a financial member of the AWU you gain the protection and benefits that only a Trade Union can provide.

YOU RUN THE UNION

The AWU is a democratic organisation. The Officials of the Union are regularly elected to look after the affairs of the Branch. Through Shop Stewards and other meetings of members, you get your chance to speak your mind. It is the members who control the Union.

The Union official's role is to help workers. With the concerted onslaught by both conservative Governments and Employers on the working conditions of workers, it is now even more imperative than ever in this