Welcome to ASU People
The Australian Services Union is made up of over 140,000 workers across Australia.
Our online magazine, ASU People, is where we celebrate your stories - the stories and achievements of union members in NSW and the ACT.
Year in review
From winning Equal Pay for community workers to Family and Domestic Violence Leave for every worker, we are a union that wins, and wins big. Every year, our union continues to grow and we continue to achieve big things.
This year at the ASU we:
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Recovered over $7 million in stolen and unpaid wages for ASU members
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Secured pay rises across all industries
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Welcomed over 5,000 new members
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Supported over 6,000 members with individual cases
ASU members stick together, and support each other. Watch our video highlights from the past year!
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From the Secretary
Over the past 12 months, we have made remarkable progress together. But this year reminded us of a simple truth: nothing is handed to working people. Every improvement is won when we stand shoulder-to-shoulder — at the bargaining table, on the job and out in our communities.
Our union is now stronger than ever, welcoming over 5,000 new members and growing across our industries. As we celebrate these successes, we are determined to further advance members’ rights at work and in society into the new year and beyond.
In 2025 we:
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Won a 3.5% pay rise for three million award workers
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Made portable long service leave a reality for community, not-for-profit, and disability workers in NSW
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Recovered over $7 million in wages for members
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Fought to protect and improve the SCHADS Award, with thousands of ASU members coming together, pushing back on big business lobby AIG’s push for severe pay cuts of up to $900 per week in the community and disability sector
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Secured paid placements for social work students and made fee-free TAFE a reality for disability and community services students
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We stood alongside an ASU member who successfully campaigned to pass Priya’s Law — a landmark reform she championed after the tragic loss of her baby, Priya. This law ensures compassionate, fair treatment for parents in similar circumstances.
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We celebrated landmark renters’ rights — and the end to no-grounds evictions.
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Delivered job security across public and private sectors with new workplace laws and enterprise agreements delivering:
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Conversion of 230,000 casual jobs into permanent roles
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Same Job, Same Pay laws for labour-hire workers
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Stronger job security, better conditions and improved pay in Trains, Water, Shipping and Airlines agreements.
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As we look ahead to 2026, our priorities are clear: protecting and improving pay and conditions, strengthening job security and growing our movement so every workplace has strong ASU representation. I invite you to stay involved — encourage a colleague to join you, share your story, and keep backing your union. Together, we will keep building a fairer future.
Thank you for everything you’ve done this year and for everything we’ll achieve next. If you need advice or want to get involved, please
Phone (02) 9310 4000 | Email help@asu.org.au | SMS 0488 859 063
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and relaxing summer.
By your side,
Angus McFarland
Secretary Australian Services Union NSW & ACT
ASU Proud, across the sectors
Congrats Tonya!
Tonya Lee is highly respected by her colleagues as a fearless and tireless advocate. An outstanding long-term ASU member and Transport division delegate, she has taken a leadership role across many of our recent union campaigns.
She is a mentor, advisor and an inspirational union delegate. Someone who never has to be asked to do anything – because she has already done it to perfection.
Tonya Lee is always ASU Proud and could not be more worthy of this year's NSW Delegate of the Year award. Congratulations Tonya!
Tonya Lee
Delegate of the Year
Transport Division Delegate
Protecting your rights at work
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Penalty rates protected - closing loopholes
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Right to Disconnect - reducing unpaid overtime by 33%
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Casual Conversion rights - 230,000 casual jobs made permanent
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Union delegates rights strengthened
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Same Job, Same Pay laws
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Priya's Law – new parental leave protections after infant loss
This year, a historic election victory that ASU members fought to deliver allowed us to protect and advance key workplace rights. These protections and new laws have made a real difference for working Australians, including:
Social Justice
This year ASU members proudly championed progressive causes to build a fairer, more inclusive society. Together we:
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Spoke up for peace and marched for humanity because peace is union business
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Continued to speak out against all racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia
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Stood with the Gomeroi traditional landowners and opposed 850 new coal seam gas wells
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Celebrated diversity and inclusion at Mardi Gras, International Women’s Day and May Day
The ASU is
by your side
If you have concerns or questions about your role, or need expert workplace advice, reach out to your union. Common reasons members contact us include:
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Checking pay and classifications
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Penalty rates
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Workplace bullying and harassment
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Changes at work (restructures and redundancies)
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Taking parental, holiday or long service leave
Phone (02) 9310 4000 | Email help@asu.org.au | SMS 0488 859 063
Looking for a new job?
ASU Jobs Connect is here to help with your CV, cover letter, job interview and more! Plus, if you're between roles, we can pause your membership subscription while you look for new work.
Contact us today for more information.
Your ASU membership automatically helps you save on everyday essentials!
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20% off at Hertz
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10% off at Priceline, Sunglass Hut, Event Cinemas, Uber
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8% off at Dymocks, Binge, Kayo
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7.5% off at BCF, Rebel Sport, Kathmandu, Country Road, Freedom, Mimco
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7% off at OPSM, Sephora, Autobarn, Footlocker, Clinique
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6% off at The Iconic, Bonds, Michael Hill, Sheridan
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5% off at Cotton On, Myer, IGA, IKEA, KMART, Apple, AMPOL, Big W
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4% off at Coles, Woolworths, Harris Farms