Prospect’s Defence Sector and Australian Professionals strengthen ties
Prospect has met with Australian Professionals to discuss closer cooperation between the two unions and how workers can continue to benefit from strong trade union representation as the UK and Australian defence sectors become increasingly interconnected.
Prospect’s defence officials with Tyson Pierce, third from right, of Australian Professionals
The meeting provided an opportunity to develop the relationship between the unions and discuss the implications of increasing workforce mobility between the UK and Australia, particularly as the AUKUS partnership develops.
AUKUS is driving significantly closer cooperation between Australia and the UK across defence industry and advanced capabilities. In February, the UK and Australian governments reaffirmed AUKUS as a long-term partnership and highlighted the importance of closer industrial cooperation.
For Prospect, increased international collaboration must go hand in hand with protecting the interests of the skilled professionals and specialists who will help deliver it.
As more UK employees have opportunities to undertake assignments, secondments or longer-term work in Australia, Prospect believes it is important that workers do not lose access to effective trade union advice, support and representation simply because their work takes them overseas.
Prospect and Australian Professionals are therefore exploring reciprocal arrangements for union membership and support, with the aim of providing greater continuity for members working between the two countries.
Bob King, Prospect National Secretary for Defence, said: “AUKUS is about much more than technology and equipment. Its success will ultimately depend on the skilled people who design, develop, support and sustain these capabilities. We are likely to see professionals working increasingly across national boundaries. Trade unions need to make sure that our support for members keeps pace with that change.
“Nobody should find that their access to union support and representation ends when their work takes them overseas. That is why developing our relationship with Australian Professionals is so important.”
The discussions also underline the wider importance of building trade union relationships alongside international industrial partnerships. The two unions will continue discussions about how they can work together to protect and represent professionals whose careers increasingly span both countries.
