An Australian Workers’ Union member has received $30,000 in unpaid wages from his employer, Secure Energy, after the AWU intervened in a dispute involving underpayment and issues around his termination.
AWU delegate Barry Reape had raised issues with his employer over a period of two months, pointing out that he was working 12-hour days but was only being paid for 10.5 hours. Secure Energy provided no explanation for this underpayment, and the issue went unresolved.
Following this, in December of 2023, Secure Energy informed Barry that his role would be terminated. However, the company also informed him that the termination would be effective from December 9, effectively “backdating” the end of his job and leaving him short of 10 days’ pay.
Barry representing the AWU on site
Barry representing the AWU on siteAt this point the AWU became involved, and Secure Energy agreed to investigate. After follow-up from the AWU, Secure Energy agreed to pay the worker for the 10 days owing, as well as back-paying him the wages he was owed.
This resulted in back pay totalling just under $30,000.
Barry says issues like these are why it’s important for workers to join their union.
“I would 100 per cent encourage any worker who isn’t in the union to join,” he says.
“I spent two months trying to deal directly with my employer and made very little progress. But when the AWU got involved the problem was resolved quickly. These sorts of issues are only one of the many reasons why workers should join their union.”
Barry and his daughter
Barry and his daughterThe AWU’s Victorian branch secretary, Ronnie Hayden, says the case shows the importance of members knowing their rights on the job and speaking up when something goes wrong.
“Workers deserve to receive every cent they are owed by their employer,” he says.
“Whenever there are issues with employers underpaying staff, the AWU will always back its members to ensure they receive their full entitlements. This includes money owing when their employment ends.
“We can only help when we know there’s an issue though, so if something isn’t right or if you or a colleague have any concerns, speak up. Our delegates and representatives are always ready to help, and the AWU and our legal partners will do everything we can to make sure members get what they deserve.”
As well as supporting workers when things go wrong on the job, the AWU negotiates better pay, conditions and job security for its members, and backs them in the courts, in parliament, and in the media.
AWU members get a better deal, earning an average of $350 more per week than non-union workers.
