Food & beverage
Join to become part of the best union for food and beverage workers in Australia.
Food & beverage workers deserve better pay and respect at work. Agree?
How we can help you at work
Wages and Pay
When you’re a United Workers Union member, you have access to our experts who can help you with a range of workplace issues such as when your employer is not paying the correct rate, or not paying for compulsory training for work, or not paying you penalty rates or overtime allowances you’re entitled to.
As well as one-on-one support, we bring workers together to demand better wages from their employers.
Unfair Treatment and Disciplinary Action
Have you ever been called into a chat with your boss, only to find it’s a disciplinary meeting? We have specific advice for workers who find themselves in this situation. When things go wrong, workers can often be unfairly blamed. But, union members don’t have to face the boss alone. As an UWU member, you can rely on our experts who will back you, defend your job and ensure you’re treated fairly.
Rosters and Hours
All workers deserve fair rosters and hours – it reduces burnout and allows for time with family and friends outside work. As a United Workers Union member, you have access to our industrial relations officers who have expertise in all workplace issues and laws. We can ensure you have sufficient breaks and consultation about changes. For part-timers, we’ll work with you to ensure you have an appropriate, agreed pattern of work and all the overtime payments you’re entitled to.
Where there are ongoing issues, we bring members together to make change.
Safety and Respect
Everyone should be safe at work! But issues like high workloads, poor training, understaffing, bullying and discrimination can put your health and safety at risk. UWU members work together to ensure their employers address these issues so everybody can feel safe and included at their workplace.
When there aren’t many other union members at your workplace, you can always get one-on-one advice and help from our knowledgeable Member Rights Team.
Contract Changes
Being a United Workers Union member means you have someone in your corner advocating for YOU during contract changes! It’s important that you seek advice for contracts to make sure they are legal and fair.
Membership Benefits
Legal Support & Advice
United Workers Union members have access to expert advice and support on any issue you face at work. Some of the issues we frequently assist members with include:
- Underpayments – below hourly rate, late pay, missing penalty rates or allowances, misclassification
- Representation at disciplinary meetings – make sure you know your rights when things get tricky
- Workplace safety – bullying and racial discrimination, rosters and understaffing, training
- Leave issues – accessing personal and annual leave
Visa & Migration Support
As a member, you have access to free, high-quality and confidential immigration and visa advice from legal experts.
Everyone should feel safe in their workplace – regardless of visa status. We empower all workers to take advantage of your rights at work.
Member-only Discounts
We don’t just offer personalised support – union members also have access to a wide range of perks and discounts! They include:
- Access to the Union Shopper platform with exclusive discounts that can save members about $1,000 per year on groceries, clothing, white goods and electronics, movie tickets, and card-linked cashbacks.
- Get 20% off membership fees at participating Anytime Fitness gyms with a $0 joining fee. This will save you $296.95 in the first year alone.
- Members have access to FREE preparation of a Will (usually costing at least $330) and an Enduring Power of Attorney (usually $110).
- Access 20% discount on income protection insurance with Canopy Insurance. Available exclusively to union members.
- Discounts on a range of Red Cross trainings including First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Occupational First Aid and CPR. Check them out here.
- Have a non-workplace matter and want some legal support? Members get a free first consultation* for legal advice on non-workplace matters.
*Available to members in Queensland, Victoria, NSW and Tasmania.
- More discounts and offers are always available! Keep checking our website for more.
100% Tax Deductible Fees
Your union fees are 100% tax deductible which means that at the end of every financial year, you can claim all your union fees as a deduction which goes towards your tax return.
Last year, United Workers Union recovered $10 million in stolen wages for our members.
Membership fees &
Coverage
Membership Fees & Coverage
Think of your union membership like a safety net – you pay small, regular membership dues, but you’re covered big time if something goes wrong in the workplace (just like your car, home or health insurance).
STANDARD MEMBERSHIP FEES
A DAY
A WEEK
*Calculated based on 2024 Standard Membership Fee (applies except where stated). Indicative only – your exact fee will be shown when you fill out our join form.
Is this the right union for me to join?
United Workers Union covers workers in these occupations:
- Bakers
- Pastry cook
- Bakery staff
- Brewery staff
- Dairy factory workers
- Flour miller
- Delivery truck driver
- Poultry and egg farm worker
- Food packing
- Distillery worker
- Bottling
- Snack and beverage production
That work in these states/territories:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Membership Payment FAQs
What will my individual union membership fees be?
Union membership fees change slightly based on where you work and what you’re paid.
To find out what your union fees will be, begin by filling in our join form with your occupation information. Don’t worry, you will be provided with all the relevant info on fees and industry coverage before submitting the form.
What are the options for payment?
When joining online you can select to pay either by credit/debit card, or via direct debit.
You can also select your payment frequency: weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, so you can align it with your pay cycle.
Is my membership tax deductible?
Yes, union membership is 100% tax deductible!
United Workers Union sends emails to members during tax-time with your total dues paid in the previous financial year – it makes claiming your tax deductions easy.
Are there any discount or offers available?
If you do the maths and look at what you will pay in membership fees, you will see that you’ll end up saving more than you’re spending, through a tax deductible return, discounts and free benefits on groceries, fuel, income protection, home insurance, gym fees, trainings, workshops and more!
Also, remember that we’re a not-for-profit organisation, so any fees you pay us are spent on ensuring you – and other workers across Australia – are always protected.
Your Industry Superannuation Fund
All workers have the right to a dignified retirement, and that means having enough retirement income to rely on.
UNITED WORKERS UNION
In the last year, UWU...
in wages and entitlements for our members.
for members – such as helping to access leave entitlements, assisting with unfair dismissal and WorkCover claims.
ensuring our members have better wages and conditions.
You insure your car, your home, your health...
So why not your job?
Disclaimer: If a workplace issue pre-dates your membership, we can provide limited advice and guidance.
Any workplace issues that arise after you became a member will be eligible for full assistance.