Recent events in Australia and Vanuatu are a clear reminder of why unions matter.

In Australia, Qantas has been ordered to pay a record $90 million for the largest case of illegal sackings in the country’s history. Back in 2020, the airline outsourced more than 1,800 baggage handlers, cleaners, and ground staff in a move the Federal Court ruled was designed to weaken union bargaining power. The court’s decision is a win for workers and shows that attempts to undermine unions will not go unpunished.

Closer to home, the Vanuatu Teachers’ Union (VTU) recently won its case against the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), securing justice for its members. This local victory mirrors the global one: when workers unite, they can hold even the largest employers or institutions accountable.

These victories highlight a simple truth: the power of union is real. Unions give workers a voice, protect their rights, and ensure fairness in the workplace. Whether in Australia or Vanuatu, standing together makes all the difference.

The takeaway: United workers are strong workers — and Qantas and VTU prove it.