Industrial disputes

This information is complimentary only and isn't regularly updated – refer to source materials, authorities' webpages, or expert advice for matters that may affect your employment.

What is an industrial dispute?

An industrial dispute is a formal disagreement about an employment matter — such as a contract term, enterprise agreement clause, or award condition — between an employer and an employee, a group of employees, or a registered union acting on their behalf.

Disputes are typically escalated internally first (e.g. through a grievance procedure in your agreement), and may be referred to the appropriate industrial tribunal, if they remain unresolved.

Can Red Union help with industrial disputes?

Red Union can assist in organising industrial action by notifying its other members at your workplace, seeing if they share your grievance. Experienced advocates can then assist in raising the dispute with the employer as the appointed representative of your group of employees. 

Won't I get in trouble?

Employees are protected from reprisals for properly raising industrial disputes, but depending on what happens, employers can sometimes take industrial action against employees.

If you think you've gotten into trouble for protected industrial activity, you should probably contact an expert to help protect you from further reprisals or job loss. 

Need help?

If you're a member

Please Log in at member.redunion.com.au → find "Get Help?" → click "Member Support Form" → complete the form.

Not a member yet?

Red Unions generally have a policy to not accept pre-existing issues (as we focus intensely on current member issues).Sometimes the industrial team does allow a maximum 20-minute chat for pre-existing issues (depending on our team's capacity).

To sign-up directly via the sign-up form: 

1. Visit the signup form relevant to your industry (Nursing / Midwifery | Allied Health | Education | Officer | Other | New Zealand);
2. Tick "Yes" when prompted about pre-existing issues;
3. Wait for the onboarding emails after that's received –>
4. You can fill in an Member Support Form (be sure to tick "Yes" to the pre-existing question – our teams expect honesty on forms).