After dire 2014, union’s hopes rise for 2015. It will come as no surprise that the destructive path of the Abbott Government has dominated thinking as union leaders reflect back on 2014.
Whether it was job losses, attacks on their rights and conditions, or cuts to public services, workers felt the brunt of the new government’s agenda throughout the year.
And it continued right up until the last Friday before Christmas, when the government launched its next stealth attack on workers by releasing the terms of reference for its Productivity Commission inquiry into industrial relations.
But after a tough first 18 months under the Coalition, to the 12 prominent union leaders surveyed by Working Life for our annual end of year report card, are much more optimistic about the year ahead.
Some unions have reported strong membership growth in response to the Coalition Government, others have gained strength from successful industrial and workplace campaigns, and all believe the tide of public opinion has turned back in favour of the things that workers value: rights, good pay and conditions, job security and a strong social safety net, including accessible and universal healthcare and education.
As ACTU President Ged Kearney says in her end of year video, 2015 will be tough as well as unemployment rises and living standards are eroded. “The only way we can change this is by standing together and fighting for a better deal,” she says.
