These are the reasons that YANQ has joined with the Australian Services Union (ASU) in a campaign to provide fair pay and working conditions to youth workers in Queensland¹. In our last two joint statements with the ASU, YANQ has argued strongly that the first step youth workers need to take in this campaign is to JOIN the UNION. Here are the reasons why we are asking youth workers to take this step...

To Send a Clear Signal to Funding Bodies

Att: Managers & Coordinators!
When your staff join the union, you,
your service and your clients benefit
because:
1. You have a workforce that values
self-care.
2. Your staff will be better educated
on their responsibilities in the
workplace.
3. Your staff, through their union,
will be helping you argue for
increased funding and resources for
youth services;
4. You can negotiate with one body
that reflects and represents the
interests of your staff. 

Presently only 7-8% of community based human service workers are members of a union and as a result we have very weak bargaining power - with our own employers and with the funding bodies.

This low level of union membership makes it difficult to mount the strong and sustained campaign that is needed to make significant steps toward fair pay and working conditions.

To give this campaign a chance we need at least half of all community based youth workers to join the Union. Achieving this level of union membership will:

• Send a loud and clear signal to funding bodies that youth workers support this campaign. Achieving fair pay and working conditions will cost money, most of which will be provided by funding bodies. We need to make it clear to funding bodies that youth workers across the State are committed to this campaign.
• Ensure that your union has the resources it needs to continue this campaign. Improving the working conditions and pay levels of youth workers will take time. Your union membership fees will help to sustain the campaign for the time needed to achieve fair pay and working conditions.

To Take Responsibility for Your Wellbeing at Work

Youth workers that take responsibility for their own wellbeing are better able to assist the young people they work with to improve their lives. Joining the union is an excellent way of taking responsibility for your wellbeing at work because of the following reasons:

Att: Youth Workers!
Here are some more reasons
to join the Union
1. Union Shopper – Access to
discounted products of all
shapes and sizes through the
enormous buying power of
over 60 unions.
2. MembersEquity Bank – a bank
just for Union members.
3. Union Law – free legal advice
4. Free Financial and
Superannuation advice
5. Peace of mind knowing you
have the resources and support of
your colleagues in the union behind
you. 

• It gives you access to professional union support if/when you need help regarding a dispute in your workplace (e.g. unfair dismissal, termination, disciplinary action, redundancy etc etc).
• You can get information and education materials, access to appropriate training and help with career development issues and;
• Higher union membership means that it is more likely that employers and funding bodies will negotiate in good faith with unions - which means it is more likely you will get fairer pay and conditions.

How to Join the Union

You can sign up online at www.asuqld.asn.au. or call the Australian Services Union for details on 3844 5300.

YANQ's Offer to New Union Members

As part of the campaign YANQ is offering free or discounted subscriptions to new members of the Australian Services Union (ASU). Readers can find details of the offer at: http://www.yanq.org.au/unionoffer.

For More Information and Updates

As the Campaign progresses YANQ will post information to our website at http://www.yanq.org.au/mea (the 'MEA' stands for Multi-Employer Agreement - the ultimate goal of this campaign).

You are also encouraged to call YANQ's office (07-3844 7713) if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

Notes

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