AMWU Victoria

The United Nations’ highest court has backed workers’ right to strike. ✊

In a historic decision late last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, was asked to give its opinion on whether the right of workers and their organisations to strike is protected under the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87). Australia ratified the Convention in 1973.

On 21 May 2026, the ICJ, by 10 votes to 4, said that it “is of the opinion that the right to strike of workers and their organizations is protected…” and that “strike action is one of the main activities engaged in and tools used by workers and their organizations to promote their interests and improve conditions of labour…”

➡️ This is a major global win for unions and working people everywhere. It’s time for the government of Australia to amend our laws and protect this right at home.

United we stand. Organising for workers.

We are proud to share that Ana, a Boilermaker and AMWU member, has won the Bunnings Trade 2026 Women in Apprenticeships Award. 🎉

The award includes over 11,000 dollars in tools and vouchers to support her journey in the industry.

We stand with Ana and AMWU members breaking barriers and strengthening the place of women in the trades! Congrats Anita!

AMWU organiser Tony, alongside workers from Brockman Engineering, met this week with Richard Marles MP to push for Aussie jobs in the expansion of fuel storage nationwide.

With up to 70 new storage tanks on the table, this is a major opportunity for skilled workers in Geelong and beyond. Brockman Engineering is ready to build, and we are making sure that work stays local, union, and secure.

We will keep fighting to ensure government investment delivers real jobs for our members. 🔧✊

AMWU delivers wins at the 2026 Labor Conference in Victoria
Our 24 conference delegates made up of AMWU officers, officials, rank-and-file members and other supporters attended the two-day Vic Labor Conference this weekend.

AMWU Victorian successfully moved over 20 motions and amendments to the party’s election platform.

These include:
1. Fighting for secure, well-paid and meaningful jobs in Victoria:
- Support for workers impacted by the decommissioning of offshore energy infrastructure ion regional Victoria
- Prohibitive penalties for companies breaking Victoria’s nation-leading Local Jobs First policy
- Government investment in growing our wind tower industry, including local manufacturing capability
- Prioritising locally-made goods in government procurement, including supporting our great food manufacturing sector
- Expanding on fee-free TAFE to ensure Victoria has the workers it needs in growing industries including construction and advanced manufacturing

2. Protecting and expanding workers’ rights and safety:
- Calling for the right to strike for all workers
- Strong, mandatory protections for workers’ privacy from extensive workplace surveillance
- Expanding the powers for HSRs and ARREOs to issue PINs and cease work notices to keep workers safe
- Paid reproductive health leave of 12 days per year for all working Victorians
- Mandatory guardrails to protect workers and communities from negative effects of AI and other emerging technologies
- Going after dodgy employers who use self-insurance to avoid compensating injured workers

3. Addressing the cost-of-living crisis:
- Reigning in price gouging by big business through tax reforms targeting the mega-wealthy and multinationals
- Ensuring all Victorians can access diagnosis, care and treatment for cancer without charge

4. Standing for peace, justice and solidarity on the world-stage:
- Encouraging a practical and realistic solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict through the release of political prisoners including “Palestine’s Mandela”, Marwan Barghouti
- Opposing apartheid, unlawful detention and torture, including the shocking and unacceptable treatment of 11 Australians on the Global Sumud Flotilla

We will continue fighting for these measures and more which will improve the lives of Victorians, protect the rights of workers in the industries we represent, and stand up for our humanitarian values in Australia and worldwide.

Our campaign continues in the lead-up to Labor’s National Conference in July this year, where we will advocate for practical measures that put our workers’ interests at the heart of our country’s future.

Today we acknowledge National Sorry Day.
We stand with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise the ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations.
United we stand.

GLOBAL SOLIDARITY: Melbourne Lift Workers Send a Message!

Overseas unions have contacted the AMWU and ETU for support, as the TKE and KONE merger fails to consult with the union and workers.

This has raised serious concerns regarding job security, workers' entitlements, and on-site safety.

We call on TKE and KONE to immediately contact the relevant unions overseas and begin consultations to address the concerns raised and to avoid further global action.

Today marks Australian Made Week 🦘
AMWU stands with Aussie manufacturing and the workers who power it. Backing local industry means stronger jobs, stronger communities and a stronger future. 💪

Support Aussie manufacturing.

Today, May 17, marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Every worker deserves dignity, respect and safety at work. No exceptions. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ There is no place for discrimination on our sites or in our union. We stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ workers today and every day.

Today, we recognise the working mums holding it all together. On the job and at home, the work matters. Stronger when all work is valued. 💪