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...

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...

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...