Affiliations
The IEU(SA) is affiliated with the following organisations:
SA Unions is the peak body for trade unions in South Australia. It coordinates political, social, economic, and industrial campaigns between its affiliate members and implements the policies of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in South Australia.
As well as implementing policy within South Australia, SA Unions aims to maximise the union movement’s effect on political, social, economic and industrial issues; defend and extend the rights of working people and all disadvantaged members of the community; increase the support and relevance of unions; and provide leadership and co-ordination in issues of broad concern to unions and the community.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is the peak body for Australian unions, made up of 46 affiliated unions who together represent about 1.8 million workers and their families. Since its creation in 1927, the ACTU has spearheaded some of the most fundamental workplace struggles in Australia’s history. Unions are active every day campaigning in workplaces and communities around Australia for better job security, pay and conditions, rights at work, healthier and safer workplaces, and a fairer and more equal society. The ACTU’s role as peak body is to co-ordinate union campaigns, represent workers at a range of government and non-government forums in Australia and overseas, and to provide industrial, policy, and other support to affiliates.
The Independent Education Union of Australia represents teachers and support staff in non-government schools, early childhood centres and other non-government educational institutions Australia-wide. It currently has a membership of approximately 75,000 members. Included in its membership are teachers, principals and ancillary staff in faith based, community and independent schools and early childhood education and care centres, and post-secondary centres across Australia. The IEUA has members in non-government education institutions in every state and territory. In order to organise and serve the industrial and professional rights of those members, branches have been established in QLD/NT, NSW/ACT, Victoria/Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
The IEUA and its branches are affiliated to other trade unions organisations or have established links with community organisations in solidarity to improve national and international workplace rights.
- Through the ACTU, we are affiliated (with 304 trade unions) with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The confederation represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories.
- Education International (EI) is the world-wide trade union organisation of education staff. It has 30 million members in all sectors of education from preschool to university, in 304 national trade unions and associations in 169 countries and territories.
- The Council of Pacific Education (COPE) is a regional organisation of education unions from the South Pacific Region. The following affiliates comprise the Council of Pacific Education: COPE provides advice and assistance on professional, industrial, legal and human rights issues for teachers, support staff and their representative union affiliates in the region. It also acts as a clearing house for information to both its affiliates and to other organisations across the Pacific and to Education International.
- Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad Inc. (APHEDA) was established in 1984 as the humanitarian overseas aid arm of the ACTU. APHEDA is an active associate member of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid. APHEDA is a registered charity incorporated under the NSW Incorporation Act 1984. The IEU strongly supports the work of APHEDA and has provided funding and support to a number of projects initiated and coordinated by APHEDA including its work in East Timor, Cambodia and Palestine.