Hundreds of union members march through Toowoomba ahead of Labour Day
While the nation cast its vote on Saturday morning, about 500 union members marched through Toowoomba, determined to fight for better pay and conditions, regardless of who was in power.
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Union members used a march through Toowoomba on the morning of the election to celebrate the wins they have secured in recent years and focus their efforts on the fight ahead.
About 500 members and their families, from across a range of union’s took part in the Labour Day march, which is one the largest outside a capital city.
National Teachers Union member and march organiser Liam Holcombe said the numbers were a little lower than in past years, with members called away for election duties.
“This year was 140 years since the formation of the Queensland Council of Unions,” he said.
“Not all, but most unions are affiliated with the QCU.”
The march celebrated securing better rights for gig economy workers, extra reproductive leave and the federal and Queensland Government agreement over public school funding.
While Labor was returned to government for a second term, Mr Holcombe said the union movement would continue to fight for better pay and conditions for all workers.
“The movement will always hold whoever is in government to account,” he said.
“We will continue to look for ways to improve wages, and given the cost-of-living situation at the moment, this is particularly important for workers in lower paid industries, like child care and aged care.
“We also want to address the worker shortage in health and education.”
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