Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

Social Justice

Trades Hall has a strong commitment to social justice, advocating changes that will make a fairer society. Over the years unionists have lent their support to many campaigns calling for more equitable and honest standards.

Learn more about Victorian Trades Hall Council's social justice campaigns.

Fair for all, not free for all 
In 2005, while interest rates rise and businesses make record profits, the government wants to cut the wages of Australian workers. From 1 July, upon taking control of the Senate, the Federal Government plans to rip up the workplace rulebook and remove the fair standards applying to all workers. This means workers will be worse off. Australians will work harder, longer and for less pay.

Safer Workplaces
On April 28, the tenth Workers Memorial Day (WMD), the VTHC launched a campaign to elect 10,000 more union OHS reps by WMD, April 28, 2007. The best way to make our workplaces safe and ensure that workers don't get killed is be strong and organised.

Justice for James Hardie asbestos victims
In the biggest corporate scandal of the century, James Hardie, a company that produced asbestos products knowing they were deadly, deliberately under-funded its asbestos compensation scheme and took the rest of their money to the Netherlands, where asbestos victims can't get access to it. This campaign aims to force them to bring back the money.

Industrial Manslaughter
Trades Hall campaigned vigorously for the introduction of a law specifically aimed at the crime of industrial manslaughter. Unions argue that Australia's poor record in protecting workers from death and serious injury make legal changes neccesary.


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