Union Staff Survey Reveals Mental Health Crisis

An internal staff survey conducted by the United Workers Union (UWU) has uncovered widespread psychological distress among its employees. The findings raise serious concerns about the wellbeing of staff inside an organisation meant to protect vulnerable workers. The report showed that 75% of employees displayed signs of psychological distress and one-third reported severe symptoms.

The survey was carried out by workplace mental health organisation SuperFriend and included responses from about 325 of UWU’s 600 staff. The results paint a troubling picture. Only 22% of workers believe their workplace supports mental wellbeing, which is well below the national average of 60%. In addition, 65% of surveyed staff reported signs of burnout. These results stand in stark contrast to UWU’s public role as an advocate for worker health.

Frontline organisers, who have the most direct contact with union members, were found to be even more impacted. Only 17% were considered mentally well. Meanwhile, 43% showed signs of severe psychological distress and 70% were considered at high risk of burnout. While the nature of their work is demanding, the data suggests that deeper problems may exist within the internal work culture.

When compared with sectors such as emergency services and correctional facilities, UWU still performed worse across every mental health category. The union scored 30% below industry standards for mental health capability. This metric includes support systems, workplace processes and internal policies. Furthermore, the union scored 38% lower than industry norms for overall workplace safety. Although UWU has stated its commitment to improving safety and support, the data highlights a significant gap between leadership statements and staff experiences.

The survey also arrives at a time when UWU is under ongoing legal scrutiny. Former employees, represented by Adero Law, are involved in a class action that includes allegations of bullying, underpayment and unpaid political campaign work. Although these claims are yet to be tested in court, the mental health findings may give new weight to calls for structural reform within the union.

UWU has shared the survey results with staff as part of a broader effort to promote transparency and has begun consulting with employees to develop an improvement plan. While some staff have welcomed the opportunity to share their concerns, the extent of the reported distress suggests that the road to recovery may be long.

Source: The Australian, United Workers Union (UWU), NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll