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What is the QCU?

The Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) is the peak union body in Queensland with 26 affiliated unions, working with us to represent the interests of around 350,000 workers across Queensland.

Since its foundation in 1885, the QCU — as the peak body for the Queensland trade union movement — has strived to achieve industrial, social and political justice for Queensland workers.

The QCU also maintains local branches right across the state, on the Gold Coast; the Sunshine Coast; in Ipswich and Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

The fundamental roles of the QCU are to:

  • support and co-ordinate affiliates to improve industrial conditions and increase membership;
  • be the public voice of the Queensland union movement;
  • influence government and public policy at an industrial, political and social level;
  • build awareness of the union movement through education, training and campaigning; and
  • represent the Queensland movement statewide, nationally and internationally.

Some of the functions and services of the QCU are:

  • the research and provision of information and material for affiliated unions;
  • the presentation of state general wage cases;
  • presenting test cases in the Industrial Relations Commission (ie casual loading, termination change and redundancy);
  • the co-ordination of multi-union negotiations and awards/agreements;
  • preparing submissions for committees of inquiry and review (ie Work and Family Test Case, child labour review);
  • organising major campaigns; and
  • the training of delegates.

The QCU also organises Labour Day every year — Australia’s largest May Day festival in Brisbane with more than 30,000 workers marching every year, and Marches and Family Fun Days for union members right across the state from the Gold Coast to Cairns, and every where in-between. Visit www.labourday.org.au for more information.

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