SA Unions

Mrs PEARCE (King) (12:18): I move:

That this house—

(a) recognises that this year marks the 140^th anniversary of SA Unions, formerly the United Trades and Labour Council of South Australia;

(b) recognises the significant impact that unions have had on shaping our economy, our society and the life of our state; and

(c) commends SA Unions on all that it has achieved on behalf of working South Australians over its 140 years of dedicated service to the people of our state.

I am a proud union member. The union movement has been there for me and my family and friends. They were there when my dear friend Kym was hurt at work, having inhaled a dangerous chemical that caused permanent nerve damage to one of his arms, and they were able to stand with him, help him get back up on his feet and fight for justice. They were there for my dad countless times over his decades on the wharves. From the CSL Yarra dispute, where the local community and workers took a stand with the union movement for those members there, to every EBA, safety, risk and pay dispute, the union movement was always by his side.

They were there as well for my brother who experienced bullying and harassment in the workplace. Although we have unfortunately lost him, it was the movement that has worked with this government to bring about important changes when it comes to psychosocial injuries in the workplace and the importance of protecting workers from this form of injury. Of course, the union movement has stood beside me as well in wanting to work productively to do what we can to ensure that fewer workers fall through the cracks and more workers are able to obtain safe, secure work, because everybody deserves to come home from work safe and be adequately recognised for the work they do.

That is why I rise today to speak about the incredible achievements of SA Unions across their remarkable 140-year history. Their journey, which has been a collective effort of every single dedicated union member they have proudly represented in our great state of South Australia, can be tracked back to just a few streets away from where we gather today. It would be in the Bristol Tavern, which we now know as the Franklin Hotel, where the United Trades and Labor Council would come to be on 31 January 1884. For our state's trade union history, this would be the beginning of 140 years and counting of successes, as 13 unions across the colony of South Australia came together, all united in their desire for a more fair, equitable and just society for the workers that they each represented.

This act of solidarity and commitment to the collective would lay the foundations for what we now come to know as SA Unions. Since their inception, SA Unions has stood up for the rights, wellbeing and dignity of workers and has ensured that, where possible, these rights are advanced and are never taken for granted.

South Australia has often been at the forefront of many progressive changes around the world. When it comes to the trade union movement, this is no exception, as we were the first jurisdiction outside of Britain to legalise trade unions. From the council's inception, it was dedicated to the purpose of uniting more closely the various trade societies and discussing unitedly any question affecting the welfare of any society and also for the purpose of exerting more political influence on the colony.

From this position, it has given birth to a powerful movement. We should take immense pride in our state's trade unions throughout our state's history. I am sure all have benefited from the rights that they have fought so hard for for us to enjoy. If it were not for the efforts of the trade union movement and the countless workers who have contributed to its 140-year journey through the UTLC and SA Unions, we would not enjoy many of the rights that are often now taken for granted.

These achievements would never have been possible without the commitment to collective action and solidarity that is shared between every single union member who has stood firm in their fight for these rights. It is through solidarity and the power of collective action that workers have been able to tackle and overcome most challenges throughout our history. SA Unions have been there demonstrating time and time again what is possible when workers unite behind a common goal and stand together to tackle injustice.

Today the legacy of the 13 original unions endures, with SA Unions proudly representing an impressive 160,000 South Australian workers across 26 unions. Their impressive growth and longevity are a testament to the enduring strength and relevance of the trade union movement today as well as the deep commitment of workers to continue fighting for what they believe is right, inside or outside of work.

Should the original delegates who all came together at the Bristol Tavern nearly a century and half ago have been given a glimpse into the future to see the successes that the union movement has been able to achieve, I am sure that they would be filled with immense pride to know the progress and achievements that have been secured for workers of this state from their legacy.

The tireless work of SA Unions throughout its history has not only helped to propel the basic rights many nowadays take for granted into reality, but they have also diligently fought to continue ensuring justice is not only delivered but protected in our workplaces. Today they continue to play an instrumental role in advocating for and collaborating on many monumental reforms delivered under our government. These include, but by no means are limited to:

helping to deliver for victim survivors of domestic and family violence working under public sector industrial relation laws who can now access an annual entitlement of 15 days of paid leave;

making industrial manslaughter a criminal offence in South Australia to help prevent the tragic loss of life and prevent the cutting of corners that puts the lives of these workers at risk;

pushing for and securing a prohibition on the use of engineered stone to help prevent the harmful effects of crystalline silica exposure to workers;

ensuring that the prevention of psychosocial harm is front and centre for creating a safe and healthy workplace, with new regulations coming into effect under the Work Health and Safety Act;

advocating for and securing rental reforms in South Australia that will bring greater security for workers who are renting; and

protecting Christmas Day and Easter Sunday to ensure that, particularly for Christmas Day, workers are not being short-changed due to loopholes which have stopped them from being able to receive their deserved penalty rates for giving up their Christmas Day to work.

At the federal level as well, the trade union movement has been equally instrumental in their advocacy, bringing about some of the most significant industrial relations reforms that Australia has seen in years. From their advocacy, they have secured the criminalisation of wage theft to deter the exploitation of workers, the closing of labour hire loopholes that have allowed the undermining of workers' rights, and better protections for delegates in the workplace, empowering those who have helped to push for fair treatment and justice in our workplaces.

We are immensely proud of the trade union movement, and all those who have contributed to its success over the past 140 years. Without the UTLC and the unions that propelled it into existence, we would not be standing here today as a Labor Party helping to deliver progressive change in this state that improves the conditions of workers both inside and outside the workplace. For that, I am certain that we here, on this side of the house, are truly grateful.

I look forward to continuing our collaboration with SA Unions, who I know will continue to advocate for progressive change in this state for another 40 years and beyond, as they continue striving for a fairer, more just and more equitable society for all who call this great state home.

Motion carried.

Mr BASHAM: Mr Acting Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

A quorum having been formed: