Our work
Organising and collective bargaining
The Aotearoa Legal Workers' Union's main role is supporting members to organise for collective action at legal workplaces, with the aim of bargaining for collective agreements to improve pay and conditions across the industry. ALWU provides practical and technical support to help members organise their workplaces and pursue collective bargaining.
Providing advocacy services for members
ALWU provides free advocacy services to members facing workplace issues. In suitable cases, the advocacy service refers members to ALWU's panel of lawyers who may assist members on a pro bono basis.
Monitoring industry pay and conditions
Each year ALWU surveys members about pay, conditions and wellbeing. The results are published to increase transparency about employment terms and working conditions in the legal industry.
Campaigning on behalf of all legal workers
ALWU has campaigned on issues affecting all legal workers, leading to changes to the legal industry. Past campaigns have included:
Minimum wage compliance.
Changes to professionals bonding clauses.
Living Wage accreditation.
Improving safety of legal workers from bullying, harassment and mistreatment at work, and ensuring legal employers are held accountable for poor conduct.