The Services Union is a democratic union run by our members, for members. Our members set the direction for our Union and they participate in decision making, policy and strategic direction. We ensure transparency.

Please find our Union’s Rules here.

The Services Union is overseen by our Branch Council, which is directly elected by members. Their role is to set our strategic objectives. The decisions made at the Branch Council are formed into strategic industry objectives and operational plans which are then adopted by the Branch Executive to guide the work of our Union for the next 12 months to two years. There are 63 Branch Councillors who are elected members every four years. Our operations at an industry level are guided by Industry Divisions. These are Local Authorities and Brisbane City Council, Energy, Transport and Northern Administrative and Social and Community Services,. Each industry component is represented on the Branch Executive via a Branch Vice-President and on Branch Council via a Branch Councillor.

Our Branch Executive Committee is made up of 14 members who hold the positions of the Branch President, a Vice-President representing each Industry Division, a Vice-President (Women), a Vice-President (Youth), Branch Treasurer, and two paid officers – the Branch Secretary and the Branch Executive President. They take advice from our Industry Division Committees and implement our strategies. Workplace Delegates are members who are passionate about ensuring the working rights and conditions are sustained and enhanced in their workplaces and for their industries.

The Branch Executive is assisted in running our Union by two elected and paid officials, Secretary Neil Henderson, who oversees the running of our Union, and Executive President Jennifer Thomas, who is charge of our Union’s operations.



Secretary Neil Henderson

Neil Henderson has been a member of the Australian Services Union (ASU) for over 30 years. He has worked as an industrial officer for over 30 years, including over 20 years in senior positions in the ASU National Office, the Victorian Services and Authorities Branch and now The Services Union.

Neil has appeared as an advocate in Federal Industrial Tribunals and Courts and in most State Industrial Tribunals. He is a practising lawyer and accredited as a specialist in Workplace Relations law by the Law Institute of Victoria and the Queensland Law Society (QLS). Neil is also a member of the Specialisation Board of the QLS.

On commencement with The Services Union, Neil’s main responsibility was to manage the Union’s industrial representation of members. There are too many highlights to mention but the thrill of delivering great outcomes for Union members never diminishes.

Becoming Acting Assistant Secretary in June 2013 and then acting Secretary at the end of 2013, Neil was appointed to the position of Secretary by the Branch Executive in April 2014 and elected to the position in early 2015.

Neil believes that having access to knowledgeable and effective representation is what members want and is one of the most important benefits membership of our Union can provide.

Executive President - Jennifer Thomas

Jennifer is the Executive President of the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union Queensland (Services and Northern Administrative) Branch and the Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees (The Services Union).

As the Executive President, Jennifer’s responsible for a union membership of over 13, 000 and the union’s overall function including campaigning, membership and industrial relation activities.  Jennifer has worked in the Union Movement for more than 20 years.

Jennifer has skills in operational and board strategy, industrial relations, and people and culture through her current role and her roles as National Vice President of the Australian Services Union, Vice President of the QLD Council of Unions, Director of Energy Super and ESI Financial Services Board and Director of Jobs Queensland Board and Committee membership the QLD Government Housing Advisory Council.

She has a Commerce degree and as a TSU leader has skills in education, member advocacy, member benefits and digital services. Jennifer has also had extensive advocacy experience in superannuation having campaigned for better retirement outcomes for Members, all working Australians and closing the superannuation gender gap.

Jennifer has been influential in the following campaigns: Portable Long Service Leave for the Queensland Community and Disability Sector, Equal Pay for Community and Social Workers; We Won’t Wait, Stand Up for Super and Get Super Working for Women, Queensland Assets Not for Sale; Sustainable Councils for our Local Government Members; Investing in Quality Community Services; A Just Transition; 27 Ways and Growing; and Make the NDIS the best it can be. Jennifer has also been influential in many local enterprise-bargaining campaigns across Queensland.

 

Together, union members win. 

Throughout our history, and across the various industries we represent, Australian Services Union members have won better wages, conditions, and created safer, more dignified workplaces. We're on your side. And we're stronger together. Pictured above is the historic 2012 Equal Pay case the ASU won. 




“I'm proud to be a member of the ASU - a union with a long history of creating positive change for Australian workers.”
Ariana - ASU Member - Local Govt.
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27 Ways and Growing Campaign

The 27 Ways and Growing Campaign was launched by The Services Union in 2013 to highlight the achievements of the union movement. 31/03/2022