General news

On average, workers in unionised workplaces now earn $251 more per week compared to those in non-unionised workplaces, according to the latest ABS figures. 

That’s just over $13,000 more per year, thanks to enterprise agreements negotiated collectively by workers through their unions, which lift our pay and conditions above Award minimums. 

FSU members at People First Bank recently experienced this first-hand. After months of negotiations, member meetings, signing petitions, and conversations at work, they secured a 5% pay rise – and that was just for 2025. 

The agreement was the culmination of a merger between Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union. With employees at Heritage previously paid minimum Award wages, this 5% represents a significant increase in their wages. 

FSU member Oscar Neale helped lead the negotiations as an FSU Workplace Representative. 

“It was very exciting to be involved in the bargaining agreement, mainly because it was the first real opportunity staff were given to negotiate with the business in an open forum,” said Oscar.  

“End of year reviews were always, ‘here’s what the government says you get so that’s what your pay rise is going to be’.  

“For the first time, staff had the opportunity to have their voices heard.” 

And have their voices heard they did. In addition to a 9% pay rise over two years, members also won new and improved leave entitlements, including expanding RDOs to all full-time employees, introducing ‘banked leave’, protections around the right to work from home, and improvements to paid parental leave, to name a few. 

A level playing field 

So why do unionised workers get paid, on average, hundreds of dollars more each week? 

“One thing that became apparent is that the business cannot ignore the collective voice – they have to listen to what their people are saying,” said Oscar. 

“With enterprise agreement negotiations, there’s a lot more transparency, in that there’s no secrecy around getting offered individual contracts behind closed doors. 

“Everyone’s on a level playing field and we all speak up as one unit as opposed to isolated individuals.” 

Oscar said he decided to step up as member rep because he wanted to be a voice for staff who felt they didn’t have one. 

“Because I’d never been involved in this before, my number one concern was that management would treat me differently,” said Oscar. 

“But after the second meeting, I realised that everyone was incredibly supportive. Management even told me it was great that I was stepping up and we had some really robust conversations. 

“I would definitely recommend to anyone else if they’ve got the opportunity to face that fear, because once you’ve passed it, it’s actually a great experience.” 

Oscar said a big part of his role as a Workplace Rep was educating his colleagues about the process and maintaining momentum throughout the months-long negotiations. 

“Because Heritage never had an EA, there was a lot of uncertainty and no knowledge across the frontline of what an EA was and how that all worked. 

“This was also my first involvement in any EA, let alone bargaining, so it was very daunting at first.  

“But knowing there was a team behind me gave me a lot of confidence. I think I would’ve been unprepared if I didn’t have that support from the FSU.” 

Transparency across our sector 

With their first EA under their belt, People First Bank employees are optimistic about building on its success and working together to achieve even more improvements next time. 

For Oscar, part of the learning curve has been discovering the role his union plays beyond the individual support provided when things go wrong at work. 

“I see union membership as an additional support network that you can’t get anywhere else,” said Oscar. 

“I think it’s hard for people to see the value unless it’s presented to them or they see a change made in their workplace.  

“But it’s not about the union coming in and fixing everything. It’s about giving the power back to us, the workers. You get as much out of it as you put in.” 

Interested in becoming a Workplace Rep and making a positive difference for your colleagues? Not sure what it involves? Reach out to your FSU Organiser today and we’ll guide you through!