Young Workers Centre in Carlton, Victoria, Australia | Community organisation
Young Workers Centre
Locality: Carlton, Victoria, Australia
Phone: +61 1800 714 754
Address: 54 Victoria Street 3053 Carlton, VIC, Australia
Website: http://www.youngworkers.org.au
Likes: 5993
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25.01.2022 Are you a young worker and been underpaid by your boss? We're hosting a free online information session teaching you practical steps to recover your stolen wages. Find out more: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/recover_your_stolen_wages
23.01.2022 70% of apprentices are young workers who are vulnerable to exploitation at work. Now the Australian Industry Skills Commission wants to further attack apprentices by stripping "on the job" learning out of apprenticeships. It's the skills you pick up on the job that help you to do your work safely, something that’s important for not just tradespeople, but for their fellow workers and the broader community. Show your support in stopping this attack on apprenticeships and workers safety by signing this petition. https://www.megaphone.org.au//keep-apprentices-on-the-tool
23.01.2022 A 27-year old UberEats rider tragically lost their life in Sydney whilst at work this weekend. Every worker deserves to come home safe from work. A safety button or a "I need help" button embedded into these apps does nothing when you're lying on the side of the road fighting for your life. It's about time platforms like UberEats take the health and safety of their workers seriously and we need all Governments to urgently reform the gig economy. We'll be on triple j this evening alongside the Transport Workers Union - TWU talking about exactly what needs to be done, because one life lost is one too many. Tune in!
23.01.2022 Lin, Jade, Melanie, Charlotte and Ben are former workers of Daiso QV. They did dozens of hours of unpaid work over the years, and they want that to change. That's why they're taking the brave step of sharing their stories. Show your support for these workers by telling Daiso to pay their workers for all of the hours they work: https://www.megaphone.org.au//daiso-qv-don-t-be-cheap-pay-
22.01.2022 On Saturday night a food delivery rider was tragically knocked off his bike and killed at work in Melbourne CBD. Everyone should come home safe from work, and we urgently need interventions to ensure these vulnerable workers have health and safety rights at work. Sign up to be part of the campaign for stronger workplace rights for gig workers: https://www.gigworkers.com.au/join
21.01.2022 Almost half the young workers who reach out to us for advice or assistance are apprentices. This cannot go on so we are running a free Apprentice Readiness Training to educate apprentices about their rights at work. If you are an apprentice, thinking of doing an apprenticeship or the parent of an apprentice then this free training is for you. RSVP for the link: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/apprentices_rights_session
20.01.2022 This morning Young Workers Centre featured on the awesome Summer Breakfasters program on Triple R. Listen to YWC Director Felicity discuss why we need greater scrutiny of apprentice bosses and how we need the system to change to ensure all apprentices and trainees are treated fairly and paid legally. PS To hear this AM's full Breakfasters show, head to rrr.org.au.
20.01.2022 Last night, Daiso customers came together online to let Daiso Australia Official know that we're backing former QV workers Lin, Ben, Jade, Charlotte and Melanie - complete with Christmas puns! The workers are calling on the company to pay its staff for ALL of the hours they work, and scrap their ridiculous 24 hour notice period policy for sick leave. Sign their petition, and be sure to let Daiso know how you feel about the treatment of their workers: https://www.megaphone.org.au//daiso-qv-don-t-be-cheap-pay-.
19.01.2022 1000's of Melburnians return to work today but that should not mean a return to the same old exploitation. If you are back at work, join your union and let's rebuild our workplaces stronger and better than before. Join up at https://join.australianunions.org.au/
19.01.2022 Remember Barry cafe? Their owners have been fined $232,000 for deliberately exploiting and underpaying staff. A massive shout out to the group of workers who stuck together and stood up to these dodgy bosses.
17.01.2022 This week is NAIDOC Week - a week to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme is: Always Was, Always Will Be. We're showing our support for the First Nations Workers Alliance established by unions to provide workers in the punitive Community Development Program a collective voice to campaign for fair wages and employment conditions. Find out more and join the Alliance: https://fnwa.org.au/
17.01.2022 A recent survey has found that workers in entry level positions in Australia are the most concerned about exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. More than one third of workers in those positions were concerned about being exposed to co-workers and/or customers not taking safety guidelines seriously. Your workplace needs to have a clearly communicated COVID-safe plan in place. If you don't have one, or it's not keeping you safe, we encourage you to speak to your boss with your... co-workers. Remember, if you're under 30 in Victoria, you can contact us if you have any workplace issues on 1800 714 754.
17.01.2022 Despite an admission at the beginning of the pandemic that JobSeeker payments were too low, the federal government continue to punish those on welfare by reducing the rate. The cut will leave 1.4 million people living off $51.20 a day, even as unemployment and underemployment, particularly for young people, rises. This is cruel and punitive.
15.01.2022 We've joined forces with Youth Affairs Council Victoria to call for a crucial investment in a Youth Employment Plan in tomorrow's state budget. Our Director, Felicity Sowerbutts, says: "The upcoming state budget is an opportunity to create a plan for good, secure jobs where young workers are treated fairly at work, paid at least the legal minimum wage and receive entitlements like sick leave." This investment is particularly vital as history shows that youth employment is the... last to recover in economic crises. Find out more: https://www.yacvic.org.au/advocacy/youth-employment-plan
15.01.2022 We know 2021 is going to be a huge year for young workers. The bushfires and the pandemic made life harder for us, already disadvantaged by rampant wage theft, lack of investment in jobs and training, and skyrocketing cost of living and housing. Now we need to rebuild our workplaces and communities to be stronger and fairer than they were before the pandemic. Achieve your new year's resolution by joining one of our action groups to make change for young workers.... Join the campaign: https://youngworkerscentre.typeform.com/to/KZ5U5IbT
14.01.2022 Today is a great day for Melbourne and Victoria. When we work together, we win together. The announcement today that so many workplaces will re-open over the coming days and weeks means that 1000's of young workers will be able to return to work. But please, remember that your safety is important and your employer should not be cutting any corners. Reach out to us at youngworkers.org.au/contact if you have any questions or concerns.
14.01.2022 UPDATE: Yesterday, former Daiso QV workers Lin, Ben, Jade, Charlotte and Melanie sent a letter to Garry King, Director of Daiso Australia, calling on the company to pay its workers for all of the hours they work and remove the 24 hour notice period policy for taking sick leave. These young workers are coming together and taking a stand for themselves and other Daiso workers. Read their letter here: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net//10.11.20_-_Daiso_le
13.01.2022 Lin, Jade, Melanie, Charlotte and Ben are former workers of Daiso Australia Official - QV. Between them, they worked at the store for years and today they're standing up and sharing their stories. For years, they've been expected to arrive at work 15 minutes early to complete training and be quizzed on the company newsletter. It's compulsory, and it's unpaid. Meanwhile, they were also expected to stay back after hours to tidy and close the store, without being paid for it. O...ver the years, this has added up to hundreds of hours of unpaid work by Daiso workers. And it's still happening. That's why they need your support. Sign and share this petition to support their demand that Daiso workers are paid for ALL of the hours they work. https://www.megaphone.org.au//daiso-qv-don-t-be-cheap-pay-
13.01.2022 We don't want a lot for Christmas We just want all workers to be paid fairly! Here are the upcoming public holidays - make sure you're getting those important penalty rates for your hard work. And if you're not, speak to your union.
11.01.2022 All workers deserve to come home safely to their loved ones. Yet in the last 8 weeks, five delivery riders have not. Their names are Xiaojun Chen, Dede Fredy, Chow Khai Shien, Bijoy Paul and Ik Wong. Delivery riders (and all gig workers) don't have access to the same rights as other workers - and that means some families are left high and dry with no financial support when their loved ones are killed at work.... That's why the union movement is raising money to support the families of these workers. It's why we mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living. If you can, please chip in now to support the families of delivery riders recently killed at work: https://deliveryriders.raisely.com/
10.01.2022 Our director, Felicity, spoke to triple j this evening about the cost of the gig economy. Hear what she had to say Since then another (!) food delivery rider has been tragically killed at work. The gig economy is literally killing people. What Felicity said this evening still applies, more than ever. We need State and Federal Governments to intervene to ensure gig workers have health and safety rights at work, and these companies can't disregard another worker's death or injury as simply a traffic incident.
08.01.2022 Does this email sent to a DiDi transport worker look like an independent contracting arrangement to you? The 'flexibility' and 'Be your own boss' mentality of the gig economy is a lie pushed by corporations in order to shun any employment obligations to their workers. Gig workers have so little autonomy over their work, they can't even reject jobs or choose their own route without being at risk of being banned.... If you're a gig worker, join us in fighting this scam: https://youngworkerscentre.typeform.com/to/T6wSn40f
08.01.2022 Meet Maddy, she reached out to the Young Workers Centre when she lost her job as a barista mid-pandemic after her boss made her work unreasonable hours for reduced pay. Maddy is one 1000s of women to have been hit hard by the pandemic. The sectors hit the hardest by the pandemic are those in which women are overepresented - women are more likely to be employed in casual and insecure work, and the hospitality and caring industries. Tuesday's State Budget is an opportunity to pave the way for good, secure jobs for many Victorian women like Maddy.
08.01.2022 This petition is taking off 1000 people have now demanded Daiso Australia Official - QV pay their workers for all of the hours that they work and scrap their ridiculous rule that you must give 24 hours notice if you're sick. And still no response from Daiso. Help Lin, Jade, Melanie, Charlotte and Ben get their petition to 2000 signatures! Add your name to the petition now to show your support:... https://www.megaphone.org.au//daiso-qv-don-t-be-cheap-pay-
07.01.2022 Summer is heating up later this week and it's vital that your boss looks out for everyone's health and safety What that doesn't look like is being refused water and toilet breaks. Young workers have told us this is happening, and it's not on. In fact, the Federal Court ruled that these breaks are a workplace right just a couple of months ago. Find out more about your rights in this piece from We Are Union: OHS Reps: https://www.ohsrep.org.au/drinking_water
07.01.2022 Are you a young worker underpaid by your boss? As part of Victorian Youth Week, we're hosting a free online information session teaching you practical steps to recover your stolen wages. Come along, have your questions answered and empower yourself with the knowledge to stand up to dodgy bosses!... RSVP now: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/recover_your_stolen_wages
07.01.2022 In just 3 days, two UberEats riders have been tragically killed at work. This brings the total number of food delivery riders who have been killed at work in the last 3 months to five. The gig economy is literally killing workers. Without health and safety rights, insurance and a living wage riders are forced into working quickly rather than safely over long hours to pay their bills and buy groceries.... Platforms like UberEats are getting away with turning a blind eye to the health and safety of their workers and the Federal Government is washing its hands of responsibility and putting it on State governments to take action alone. Sign this joint YWC and Transport Workers Union - TWU petition calling on Christian Porter, Federal Industrial Relations Minister, to enforce fair and safer working conditions in the gig economy:
06.01.2022 Our Director Felicity Sowerbutts spoke to ABC Life about how to ask for a pay rise in your workplace. There's also some great information about what pay discrimination can look like and the options you have in dealing with it
06.01.2022 With ATAR results being released in Victoria today, many young people will be thinking about an apprenticeship as the next step in their career! An apprenticeship is a great opportunity to learn and work at the same time. Apprentices organiser and qualified electrician Scott has all the tips to make sure you're safe, respected and paid your legal entitlements while you're an apprentice: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/tipsforstartingasanapprentice
06.01.2022 BREAKING: Daniel Andrews announces pilot scheme for 5 day's pay at minimum wage for workers in insecure work, for sick leave or carers leave. 50% of young workers are casual workers. This is huge news for young Victorian workers!
05.01.2022 Our Director, Felicity, will be on Triple R - 3RRR 102.7FM at 8.15am this morning to talk about what needs to change to stop a cycle of abuse for apprentices and trainees. An apprenticeship or a traineeship is a great way to learn and work at the same time, but sadly too many apprentices and trainees reach out to us when they've been bullied, suffered an injury at work or had their wages stolen. That's no way to start what should be a long-term career. Listen in here: https://www.rrr.org.au/
05.01.2022 A reminder that today your super is due to be paid into your account for this quarter! Your employer should be paying you superannuation if you're 18 or over and are paid $450 or more before tax in a calendar month. If you're under 18 and being paid more than $450 a month and working more than 30 hours a week, the same applies. If you're under 30, in Victoria and think your employer may be doing the wrong thing, give us a call on 1800 714 754.
05.01.2022 "Daiso also demanded we give 24 hours notice if we weren’t going to be able to work due to sickness." Former Daiso QV workers Lin, Charlotte, Melanie, Ben and Jade have come forward to expose the store's 24-hour notice policy for calling in sick. This year we've seen the dangerous impacts of workers having to work while unwell. It's not safe, and it's not fair. Join over 1000 people who've signed the petition calling on Daiso Australia Official - QV to do right by their workers: https://www.megaphone.org.au//daiso-qv-don-t-be-cheap-pay-
03.01.2022 Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance and also the end of Trans Awareness Week. Today we honour the lives lost to transphobic violence, while also celebrating our trans comrades. Transphobia is gendered violence, which is a workplace issue. Remember, it's up to employers and managers to ensure workplaces are accessible - including physical facilities like bathrooms - but it's also up to all of us to use appropriate language, respect pronouns and call out gendered violence when we encounter it.
01.01.2022 A reminder that tomorrow at 5pm we're running our free online Apprentice Readiness Training! If you're thinking about becoming an apprentice or already are one, this is for you! We'll be talking about your rights at work - from TAFE fees to pay and safety issues - and you'll have the opportunity to ask any burning questions too. Sign up now to attend: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/apprentices_rights_session
01.01.2022 A big congrats to the young apprentices who have spoken up and exposed their dodgy bosses! Currently, even though these employers are being exposed, they can still continue to hire and exploit more apprentices. It's not okay and we need to change this, but we need your help. If you've experienced exploitation in your apprenticeship, share your story here: https://youngworkerscentre.typeform.com/to/YK6KVsuz
01.01.2022 2020's been a tough year, but we're ending it on a high! Young Workers like these 10 legends have been coming together all year to write a list of demands that will ensure a better future for all young people. Join them for a Young Workers Mass Meeting at 5pm December 9th where we'll form action groups and start strategising how we'll fight for each of our claims in 2021: Good, Clean, Secure Jobs for all young workers... A Living Wage for all young workers For Every Young person to have a roof over their head Skills to equip all young people for the future And genuinely universal healthcare including mental health and dental care RSVP to the meeting here: http://www.youngworkers.org.au/young_workers_log_of_claims_
