The State Government are favouring certain unions, leaving Australians with no choices as the costs of living sky-rockets.

The State Government is trying to force workers into the corner and give them no option for which union represents them and their interests. Independent unions should be allowed to operate and run effectively without interference from the State Government.

New legislation would mean independent unions can’t exist or offer lower cost membership options, which is particularly important if your union membership is a condition of employment. This means that not only are you being forced to join a government-preferred union, but you are also forced to pay exorbitant costs, up to double what you could pay elsewhere. In a situation where the cost of living is skyrocketing and impacting families Australia-wide, cheaper union options for Australian workers is vital.

Union membership in Australia has been steadily declining for the past 50 years. In 1976 over half of Australian workers were members of a Union and by 2018, that figure has dropped to 14% and is still declining to this day. This is in no small part due to the State Government narrowing the market and leaving employees with no choice, disassociating them from unions altogether.

The State Government is bullying hard-working Queenslanders and smaller independent unions for their own nefarious purposes. Recently, there has been a significant legal push to disallow any independent unions who may threaten the monopoly partisan unions have over their industries.

Every Queenslander should have a right to choose which union represents them and their interests. We’re calling on the Government to introduce measures that would protect independent unions and allow them to continue to operate and protect Queensland workers.

Every signature counts, so please do your part. Your support directly contributes to the future of independent unions and the freedom of Queensland workers.

TAKE A STAND AND WRITE TO THE GOVERNMENT

Take action today and write a letter to the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MLA, Premier of Queensland, your local State MP, and the President of the Industrial Court of Queensland, Peter Davis.

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WRITE NOW TO TAKE ACTION
GOAL: 20,000

Sign the petition to encourage workers’ freedom of choice and allow independent unions to continue operating!

The State Government wants to force coglermation and stop independent unions from operating. These actions significantly impact thousands of Queensland workers. Queensland workers should be allowed the right to choose a union which represents their interests and their beliefs without any political affiliation.

Did you know almost half of the fees people pay to government preferred unions go towards services that do not directly benefit their members? This can range from election polling, campaigning on behalf of government initiatives, or even donations to political events.

For most teachers and nurses, it’s a condition of employment for you to have liability insurance. People are being forced to join government preferred unions as a condition of employment. Without independent unions, there are no choices. With no competition, unions have no incentive to put members first.

By sending a letter today, you are telling major decision makers and those in power that independent unions are essential to Queensland workers. Immediate measures must be taken to protect Queenslander workers from having no choice in which union they want to represent them.

We have provided a templated letter, but encourage you to add your own opinions and experiences to further drive home the damage being done by preventing independent unions from operating. Your letter will be sent to the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MLA, Premier of Queensland, your local State Member of Parliament and the President of the Industrial Court of Queensland, Peter Davis.

The continued operation of independent unions is essential to upholding the rights of Queensland workers. Act now and write your letter to those in power to enact change and protect Queenslander workers who wish to be represented by a union that supports them.

Why you’re supporting independent unions

SUBMIT
"I’m supporting Independent Unions because Australia IS a democratic country & choice is our birthright! Also as costs are skyrocketing, having a choice of cheaper & apparently more appropriate options for the ordinary citizen, is paramount! "
Elaine
27-July-2022
"I believe that unions are an important part of our workforce when they act for the best outcome for their members. However, there is always the danger that power becomes more important than their member's welfare so that they forget where their responsibi"
Ellie
27-July-2022
"I’m supporting independent unions because my union was able to give me significant support when I had a major disagreement with my employer in 2020."
Clayton Eiby
22-July-2022
"the unions don't want to lose their control. No different than the government."
Joseph
22-July-2022
"There are unions in Queensland who run the grubberment and tell them what to do. I know as I've worked with one at times over the years. They like to waste member's money too."
Jude
22-July-2022
"The State Government wants to leave everyone behind! "
Lorraine
22-July-2022
"Supporting small unions is important!"
Mike
21-July-2022
"Red union will give me and others the voice "
Anthony
21-July-2022
"I support Red Union cause most unions have given up control and are working under the government "
Joseph
21-July-2022
"This is Red Union, an independent union. A categorical different union to the unions that are supporters to ALP."
Tracy
21-July-2022
"Sadly some unions have signed themselves up to the government control "
George
21-July-2022
"The big unions have now become large financial corporations and have forsaken workers rights. They are more interested in appeasing the market and their political masters and many conditions have been thrown away. I believe there should be another labour "
Scott Donovan
21-July-2022
"I'm supporting independent unions because I am well aware of the influence of government, especially the Labor government has on certain unions, and it is critically important that this influence is eliminated to protect the workers, particularly where un"
Sandra Hass
20-July-2022
"I support independent unions as on two occassions in the last 10 years my unions has not represented by interests sufficiently. On the 1st instance the union organizers for the area were in fact quiet hostile to my cause. On the second instance the Union "
Grant
13-July-2022
"Big unions have let me down too many times. I left for 12 months then signed on again to give them another chance but I found their support and action to be inadequate. I would also like to know why my name is given to big unions by my employer . They use"
Ann-Maree
12-July-2022
"The State government led by NanaAnna Has for too long been rewarding certain Unions with work. Cost blow-outs and outrageous pay rates cost US as taxpayers ever increasing amounts. Without the RIGHT TO CHOOSE workers are also penalised. Time to stop the r"
ProfitDoctor_
12-July-2022
"I'm supporting independent unions as we all have freedom of choice to choose who represents us in our workplaces!!"
Lynn Robinson
11-July-2022
"I'm not writing to the Govt., coz they [like the Federal counterparts] obviously want business/profit over worker's health & rights, to make their 'jobs' easier. I support independent Unions because without them, our children would soon be back down the c"
PemWeno
10-July-2022
"I wanted a cheaper alternative but also one that was not pushing wider political agendas beyond supporting Teachers with protection from unscrupulous employers or parents or students. I must point out on the other hand that I much prefer official e-Petit"
Bruce Vaschina
10-July-2022
"Always pro choice"
Gill
10-July-2022
"Upholding democratic principles by which our governments claim to be based, I’m supporting Independent Unions. We should all have a choice of representation which is not biased or based on political alliance . After 40 years in mainstream unions I now f"
Dale Worland
09-July-2022
"I'm supporting independent unions because we should all have a choice as to who represents us. I have never joined a union before this, despite being in the workforce for over 40 years, however felt the need for protection from an overbearing government"
Kerry
08-July-2022
"workers would have no rights without unions"
Robbie Brownlie
08-July-2022
"My issues were dismissed by the QNMU while the NPAQ was able to support me and get them resolved. All workers deserve a choice in who represents them. "
Sarah
08-July-2022
"I’m supporting independent unions because I should have a choice on who represents me. Also they have been more affordable and responsive in serving my needs."
Tammy Bittigieg
07-July-2022
"Rising cost of living is hurting millions. Cheaper options for people who can't afford expensive fees are a no brainer."
Lisa
07-July-2022
"More affordable for me and my family"
Laura
07-July-2022
"My voice is never heard by the larger unions "
Aaron
07-July-2022
"Choice is important when deciding who represents me "
James
30-June-2022
"Support the little guys"
Dom
28-June-2022
"Because we need to hold the large unions accountable and provide choice."
Troy
27-June-2022
​

BLOGS/ARTICLES

‘Fake unions’ are the real deal

Judith Sloan
‘Fake unions’: new associations ride jab mandate fears to get members, screamed the lengthy article in the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. The eager author had clearly been given the drop from the establishment union movement....
READ MORE

Queensland Transport Workers Union recordings reveal infighting amid claims of dodgy dealings

Nathan Edwards
The Transport Workers Union faces an internal revolt over allegations its members' money was spent on alcohol and dinners, with recordings revealing ugly infighting......
READ MORE

Explosive emails reveal unions’ ‘deep-seated control’ over Labor

Courier Mail
The Queensland nurses union vetted internal communications for Queensland Health before it was sent to employees, advising why they shouldn’t join a rival, rebel organisation, secret emails have revealed.....
READ MORE

Teachers’ union ‘does Labor’s bidding, forgets members’

Courier Mail
A longtime member and delegate has quit the Queensland Teachers’ Union, saying it has become a puppet of the Labor Party and more interested in progressive agendas.....
READ MORE

Workers flocking to alternative union

Courier Mail
There’s a new kid on the industrial relations block in Queensland that’s putting traditional unions on notice: represent your members or risk losing them....
READ MORE

Fighting for Queenslanders

Jarrod Bleijie MP
Things got a little fiery in state Parliament as I advocated for teachers and nurses to have a choice to join whichever industrial association/union they wanted to.....
READ MORE

One Choice is No Choice

NPAQ
The Queensland State Government has presided over the largest-scale attack on workers this State has ever seen. Thousands have been stood down and if it were not for the NPAQ, TPAQ, and other Red Unions....
READ MORE

About us

Red Union Group is the umbrella organisation that supports nurses, teachers, doctors, police officers, transport workers and miscellaneous workers all across Australia. By joining Red Union, you will be joining a group of workers over 17,000 strong and growing!