Union leader Sally McManus has issued a rallying call, urging campaigners to take the fight against big business and the Turnbull government to a new level.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary addressed the peak body's triennial meeting on Tuesday, asking about 1000 delegates to go harder in promoting the Change The Rules campaign.
"Enough is enough. It's time for us to demand it - Australians need a pay rise, Australians deserve a pay rise," Ms McManus told the ACTU Congress in Brisbane.
The campaign aims to overhaul workplace laws, which unions say have tipped in favour of business.
Ms McManus said the current industrial rules were preventing workers from getting what they deserve.
"Everyone knows there's a wage crisis in this country," she said.
"It's time to ramp up our campaign to change the rules, we need to take it up a notch."
Ms McManus said Australia was suffering from a decline in union membership, which now sits at about 15 per cent of the workforce.
She attacked neoliberalism while stressing the importance of union values.
"In our culture the word 'scab' is simply an accurate description of someone's behaviour," the ACTU secretary said.
Long-time Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union boss Michele O'Neil is expected to be elected ACTU president later on Tuesday.
The post has been vacant since Ged Kearney announced she would go into politics earlier in the year.
Ms Kearney, who is now the federal Labor MP for Batman after an upset by-election win over the Greens in March, gave an emotional speech to the meeting.
""I'm in awe of you. The commitment of the many to the many and belief in empowerment of us all," she told delegates.
Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover addressed unionists behind closed doors on Monday night.
The ACTU will thrash out its policy direction during the event, as unions set a course for the next three years including for next year's federal election.
Removing ballots to go on strike and higher payouts for unfair dismissal are among the proposals up for debate.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called for unity in the fight for Labor to win an upcoming round of federal by-elections.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will speak to delegates on Tuesday night.
Australian Associated Press
