In 2003 Australian trade unions continued the campaign to improve employees' ability to balance work and family responsibilities. This, along with push for the introduction of 'industrial manslaughter' legislation, was the key industrial priority of the year. During the year, unions witnessed a...

Early in 2001 it looked set to be a bumper year for Australian trade unions, with a change in government seemingly inevitable and the release of figures that showed membership growth for the first time in many years. Instead, the year was characterised by a series of defensive campaigns aimed at...

In 2002, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) celebrated its 75th anniversary. During this year, the peak council made it clear that its two key priorities were; first, to rebuild the union movement by strengthening workplace organisation and growing membership and, second, to put in...

It was a disappointing year for Australian trade unions. The Howard government was returned in the 2004 federal election with an increased majority in the House of Representatives and an outright majority in the Senate. In July 2005, the government will use this mandate to push through a raft of...