Labour Day 2017 hits new heights

Labour Day activities in Queensland continued to mark significant past and present achievements and challenges for our state’s workers and their families.

More than 30,000 Queenslanders marched in Brisbane on 1 May, while thousands of others turned out across the state for family days and marches in more than a dozen locations.

Protecting penalty rates was the central theme of the 2017 activities but there was also an important announcement from the Queensland Palaszczuk government on plans to license labour hire firms.

Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary Ros McLennan says Queenslanders has turned out in record numbers across the state for Labour Day, reflecting the community support for our call to protect penalty rates.

“This day continues to be a rallying call for Australian workers to fight against inequality,” she said.

Queensland’s 126th year of observance of Labour Day again recognised achievements of the union movement for wider society, including health and safety laws, compulsory superannuation, parental leave, fair wages and working conditions, and many other benefits for all the community.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union headed this year’s march for the first time.

New Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus also marched with the Brisbane crowd, as well as making a speech to the gathered thousands.

ACTU Assistant Secretary Scott Connolly addressed the Labour Day dinner on Friday 28 April, and many unions received awards for outstanding campaigning and media work.

Marches, activities and family fun days were also held in many other centres around the state – check them out on our Queensland Unions Facebook page.

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