The ACTU has spearheaded some of the most fundamental workplace struggles in Australia’s history. The industrial gains and achievements are many:
- decades of wage increases through the award system and campaigns in the field
- safer workplaces
- greater equality for women,
- improvements in working hours
- entitlements to paid holidays
- better employment conditions
- establishment of a universal superannuation system.
The ACTU also has a proud history of international activism, opposing discrimination and oppression, and supporting human rights. Visit the international campaigns section below to be informed and find out how you can help in global struggles.
Between 2005 and 2007 the ACTU and the entire union movement led the groundbreaking Your Rights at Work campaign against the Howard Government's 'WorkChoices' laws. The campaign led to the downfall of the Howard Government at the 2007 federal election.
The Your Rights at Work campaign is continuing with the ACTU wanting to ensure that Australian workers never face an attack on their rights at work as they did from John Howard's 'WorkChoices' laws.