United Workers Union helps members get higher wages. This is how we do it
Did you know union members earn 26 per cent more in wages per week on average than non-members? It’s because unions support workers to get higher pay.
Workplaces where a majority of workers are union members have better pay and conditions than workplaces that have no, or low, union membership. If you’re a United Workers Union member, you’d already know it’s because we use a wide range of approaches and strategies to make sure you:
- Are paid what you deserve now and into the future
- Are paid what you’re already owed in underpayments
- Have secure work with opportunity to advance your career
- Have training opportunities that ensure your skills are relevant
All of these supports work together to help you advance in your career with better wages and conditions.
1. UWU makes sure you get paid what you deserve
Annual award wage review submission
We make a submission to the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) annual minimum and award wage review. We do this – without fail – each year. Our members share their stories of work and home life so that the FWC has a first-hand picture of what it’s like to be a worker in the industries we cover. This year’s submission consists of 28 pages of research and member testimonials. We look at the economy, inflation rates and compare the cost of living to workers’ wages.
In 2025, UWU’s submission was instrumental in gaining 2.6 million workers on minimum and award wages a 3.5 per cent pay increase, starting from July 1.
Enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA)
Seasoned UWU members will be very familiar with enterprise bargaining. When your worksite is unionised, there’s usually an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) that ensures, among other things, that your pay rate is above the award. Many current UWU members first joined during an EBA negotiation. We’ll go into why it’s important to get involved in your EBA next month, so stay tuned. (You can scroll down to sign up to our mailing list and you’ll be notified when our next blog is published.)
2. Get back wages you’re already owed
It seems it’s not enough to win fair wages and conditions – these wins must be enforced. It pays – literally – to be vigilant when it comes to your wages. Some employers make mistakes or are ignorant, while others just do the wrong thing and think they can get away with it.
UWU organisers in Victoria recently identified numerous breaches of the rules at schools that employed cleaners through Serco. Cleaners’ shifts are meant to be at least 4 hours when they’re required to clean an area over 5000 square metres. Unfortunately, this isn’t what happened.
When approached, Serco admitted to ‘inadvertent errors’ and have now repaid the lost wages. UWU won back a total of $760,000 for the affected workers, with some individual members receiving up to $6000.
This is just one example. UWU organisers deal with these types of claims regularly. Here’s a list of some basic things you can check on your pay slip to see if you’re being paid correctly.
- Hourly rate (and pay level if listed)
- Allowances – for meals and breaks
- Casual or shift loading
- Annual leave loading
- Super payments
If there’s information missing on your pay slip, it’s a red flag. It’s the first place to check whether you’re being paid properly. Make sure you contact UWU if you spot an issue. If you’re a member, we can help you win back your lost wages.
Superannuation
Superannuation is part of your wages, even though you don’t see it until retirement. Our industry super partners make sure you get the most out of your super because workers are included on the boards. UWU, along with other union affiliates, campaigned for an increase to the superannuation guarantee that kicks in this July. Join our mailing list below to hear about changes to the superannuation guarantee this July. UWU also campaigned for Pay Day Super – starting in July 2026 –that will be one of the ways to ensure your super gets paid on time and has the best opportunity to grow.
3. ‘Jobs you can count on’: We fight for secure work
UWU works hard advocating for our members to become permanent employees to enjoy a more secure working life. We achieved better job security and leave entitlements for casuals across all industries, campaigning for the Closing Loopholes law reform. This key reform, passed in 2023, offers tougher penalties for wage theft, same job, same pay, better pathways for casual workers to become permanent, better definitions of what it means to be a casual, better delegate rights and better protections for gig economy workers.
4. Training opportunities to advance your career
We support members through training opportunities, both at work and through UWU. Many workplace agreements include training opportunities as a way to encourage and support career advancement. Having up-to-date, relevant skills is a great way to take on more responsibility at work and be paid for it.
Through your UWU membership, you’re entitled to free training that helps you to become a leader at work. This includes Workplace Health & Safety training, Delegate training , and Member Workshops on a range of common issues faced by workers.
Should you be getting higher wages?
We’re regularly approached by members who believe they’re being underpaid. Between January and March 2025, we’ve already won back over $4 million in lost wages for our members. Many studies and surveys have shown that unionised workplaces have better pay and conditions, and UWU members can tell these stories. With support from UWU, you can fix past payments, secure better wages for the future and become a leader at your workplace.
If you want to know more about how UWU advocates for members to win higher pay and better working conditions, sign up to our mailing list below.