After months of union negotiations - this week my husband received a 23 percent pay rise - spanned out over the next four years - plus back pay for the previous four years he did NOT receive a pay rise at all. Companies in his industry refused to negotiate with unions regarding EBA’s for pay rises and good working conditions while the Coalition were in power for three years - and the pittance that was negotiated beforehand in the Coalition years was shameful. Now with a Labor government, a strengthening FWC, more robust legislation for workers in an upswinging industry - these companies have had no choice but to come to the bargaining table. I don’t give a flying flock what some people say about unions and Labor governments - because this is the only combination that has always been proven to be beneficial for workers. Every single benefit we have as workers has at some point been fought for by unions. Business do not have a propensity to hand out better wages and working conditions out of the goodness of their hearts. The Labor party will continue to push for the rights of the working class - while Spudnik and his leftovers will continue to persecute the working class, unions and vulnerable people - while giving a leg up to business and their rich mates. Join a union. United we will never be defeated.