There is nothing I enjoy more than getting on the road and talking to our members. I try to attend every Branch meeting if possible because for me our union is nothing without the people – our members – who make us great.
It gives me the opportunity to find out what is really important to members and what drives them.
It is not surprising that for most members it is about family. Whether it is looking after young ones or taking care of elderly parents, or even just a plan in the distant future, most members have family in mind when they turn up to work.
Members want security so they can provide now and plan for the future. Most workers just want a fair go – a fair day’s pay for fair day’s work. It might sound old fashioned but it is what drives us all.
It certainly is what drives us as a union. That is why people should always come before profits. It is also why I rejoice when I see our 13 month campaign to save good quality local jobs at Lismore Council successful. (full story here)
In what has been a tough year for many families we do have reasons to celebrate. In local government our members received an additional award increase as well as a bonus payment of $1000. Additionally applications for funding for Round 1 (for new trainees, apprentices and cadets commencing studies in January 2025) closed on 8 November, bringing to fruition a campaign we fought for over 3 years to bring new jobs into the sector. (see full story here).
Nationally workers won the right to disconnect – a crucial victory in this modern era. Everyone deserves the right to quality time away from work. When unions fought for the 8 hour day they sought 8 hours work, 8 hours sleep and 8 hours recreation. That is as true today as it was 100 years ago.
I am proud to announce that in 2025 we will be recruiting for an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer to strengthen the union’s understanding of employment, industrial and political issues identified by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
Please take your time to read over your journal and you will see a lot of wins and a lot of celebration. You will see members sharing time together at picnic days and paying tribute to fellow members with Awards and presentations.
It is great to see such unity and it is great to report that our membership has grown which means your strength has grown. I thank every member, delegate and official for the hard word it takes to increase our numbers and our workplace power.
In closing I would like to advise members that I am taking some extended leave in 2025 to recharge and refresh. Stephen Hughes, Steve Donley, Gary Vann and Daniel Papps will be taking on the role while I am away. With local government Award discussions coming up in July you could not have a better team. 2025 is also going to be a huge year for USU members in the airlines industry, with enterprise agreements for Qantas mainline, Qantaslink Group 1 and Rex all expiring. I know our Airlines team is ready for the challenge.
The union is still campaigning in the Energy sectors with agreements being reached at Ausgrid with in principle agreement on conditions and wage increases, however Endeavour along with TransGrid are still in bargaining. Officials will continue to prosecute our claims on behalf of members.
I say it everyday but it really is the greatest honour to serve as General Secretary to our great union and while I am looking forward to some time away I am already excited about the challenges and plans we will share in 2026.
On behalf of President Sharon Sewell and the USU Executive I wish all members and their families a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.
Pictured: Attending the New England Branch meeting in October.
Graeme Kelly OAM
USU General Secretary
