Challenge Union Shopper to find you a better deal
What is Union Shopper?
Union Shopper is a 100% union-owned service that provides members with discounts on a wide range of products and services.
Union Shopper is all about ensuring members receive great value for money on whatever you are looking to buy. At no cost to you, we help save time and money, without the hassles and headache.
Be part of the savings and make the most of this valuable money saving service. Before you make another purchase, remember Union Shopper and challenge us to find you a better deal.
Saving with Union Shopper is easy!
Register online to see everything else Union Shopper has to offer!
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER ONLY ACCESS
If you are yet to join, waste no more time. With your union membership number (your rail service number) you can easily register your membership online here
Register and reveal the full benefits of our online Members Only area.
Request a Quote Online
Members can find our best prices on the electrical goods you want to buy 24/7. Simply visit www.unionshopper.com.au/quotes with your product details and in approximately 2-3 business hours we’ll have our best price back to you.
Talk to your local AFULE Representative or call your state office for advice on your health and safety at work.
If you have a concern about your safety or the safety of others including the public you can call your local representative or your AFULE state office and talk to one of us about it and we will advise you on the best course of action, whether that be steps you take or steps we take on behalf of the union as a whole.
You should make sure you follow the internal processes for hazard/incident reporting and make sure you keep a record of having done so. Keep diary notes of any incidents or behaviours that are inappropriate.
Call your local Depot Representatives, or Divisional Councilor
Call your State Office – 07 3844 9163.
Has there been a safety incident or is there a safety issue that affects you or another member/s of traincrew in the workplace?
If you have made an internal complaint and nothing has been done about it by your employer then you can make a further complaint to workplace health and safety. This should also be done if there is a serious incident resulting in a notifiable illness or injury. Visit the Workplace Health and Safety website for more information on what a notifiable incident is.
Click here to make a complaint or report an incident.
Do you have a safety issue you’d like to report that might endanger the safety of the public or rail operations?
You can contact the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and access the REPCON reporting scheme via their website.
The ATSB is an independent government agency and conducts no blame investigations into safety issues with the aim of improving the safety of transport operations. Its REPCON reporting system is anonymous and the ATSB website contains information and examples about reportable and non-reportable issues. These include incidents, circumstances or any procedure, practice or condition that a reasonable person would consider endangers, or, if not corrected, would endanger, the safety of railway operations.
Click here to complete a confidential REPCON report.
A Voice in Decision Making
AFULE members make the decisions. That’s why regular meetings are held where members decide union policy and provide direction to delegates. Meetings are a place for members to hear about current events, raise problems or concerns and vote on key issues.All branches have strong local committees that allow rank and file members to be involved in:
- Local Depot Policies
- Developing Rosters
- Cab Layout
- Health & Safety
Training and support is available to ALL members should they wish to get active and involved.
Specialist Advice Across the Field
The union has specialist staff who can assist you with all aspects of workers’ compensation if you are injured while at work. This includes assistance with completing forms and representation at Medical Assessment Tribunal Hearings. The union also has a legal adviser that can provide a range of free legal advice to AFULE members. Slater and Gordon are accredited specialist personal injuries lawyers. SG provide a free consultation to AFULE members on workers’ compensation and personal injury matters. SG also provide AFULE members with a free initial consultation for a range or other legal matters, including Will documentations.
About Slater and Gordon Lawyers
Slater and Gordon have proudly supported Unions and their members for over 85 years. They have a proud history of partnering with Unions and other organisations to support workers and to protect their rights. Slater and Gordon offer a wide range of legal services, including:
- Industrial and Employment Law
- Workers’ Compensation
- Motor Vehicle Accident and Road Accident injury claims
- Public Liability
- Medical Law
- Superannuation and Insurance
- Abuse Law
- Asbestos (Dust) Diseases
Slater and Gordon also offer a range of benefits to members of the AFULE, such as:
- Free initial consultation with a lawyer, including for hearing loss claims
- Discounts on legal fees *
- No Win No Fee* arrangements for personal injury matters
- Free Standard Will for members and their spouse/partner
- Discounted estate planning services, including a discount of 50% on Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Guardianship when obtained in conjunction with a standard Will
- Preservation of Union benefits* in most instances when referred out to Referral Network Partners by Slater and Gordon (Family Law, Criminal Law and General Law)
*conditions apply
You can access these benefits by obtaining a referral from the AFULE, who will contact Slater and Gordon on your behalf.
Slater and Gordon Free Wills Service
AFULE members are entitled to a Standard Will with Slater and Gordon, completely free of charge! They also offer AFULE members a 50% discount on Enduring Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Guardianship when they are obtained in conjunction with a Standard Will.
If you choose to, you can access these benefits from the comfort of your home, with Slater and Gordon’s Online Wills Portal, which allows you to complete you Will in real time, at your convenience. If you prefer not to use our Online Wills Portal don’t worry, you can also complete the process directly with an lawyer experienced in estate planning.
You can access your free will by contacting the AFULE to obtain a referral.
Union Shopper Discounts
All members receive membership of the Union Shopper. This entitles members to discounts on a wide range of products and services, to visit the website click here
Regular Updates
Keeping members up to date is a key priority of the AFULE members are provided with circulars to keep them up to date with relevant news and information. These are also posted to our website under the news and media banner.
Mortality Benefit
The AFULE provides a mortality benefit of $5,000 to your nominated next of kin if you pass away while a financial member. There is also a mortality benefit of $2,000 if your spouse passes away.
Part of the Union Community
The AFULE encourages all members to get involved with the wider union community. As a union we participate in labour day marches, union councils, training programs and social events.
Download a copy (pdf) of the A.F.U.L.E. - Federal entity Rules as of September 2025, click here.
Rule Changes
Please be advised that on Monday the 7th of July 2025 the Fair Work Commission was notified of an AFULE Federal rule change pursuant to s.126 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Regulations 2009.
Please find a link to the proposed rule changes here.
The Declaration of Authorised Officer in accordance with Regulation 126 Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Regulations 2009 can be found here.
If you have any questions relating to the proposed rule changes, please contact the AFULE State Office via email –
Download a copy (pdf) of the A.F.U.L.E. - Federal entity Rules as of July 2022, click here.
Download a copy (pdf) of the Electrical Trade Union of Employees - Section C referes to the A.F.U.L.E. Division. State Union entity Rules amended as of 30 March 2020, click here.
The AFULE dates back to 1861 making us the first and oldest railway union in the world, the AFULE has stood the test of time representing the majority of traincrew within QLD and we are very proud to continue this craft union that exclusively represents traincrew.
To this day we continue to uphold the principles outlined in 1861 by only electing officials directly from the traincrew ranks giving us a clear advantage over other railways unions who elect officials from outside the industry. Our democratic structures mean our members determine where we invest our resources ensuring the best possible outcomes.
The AFULE paved the way for other unions by being the first union to gain a federal award, ensuring equity and fairness for traincrew across Australia. Today we continue the traditions of the original engine drivers fighting for better conditions and safety for all Traincrew.
Our state secretary Mick McKitrick is a 3rd generation railway worker who is well respected by all within the industry due to his extensive knowledge which can only be achieved by coming through the ranks. Mick is supported on the job by a president and 7 Divisional Councillors who also represent traincrew whilst still performing their roles as traincrew employees.
The AFULE has a team of experienced negotiators led by officials and our members elected from the Traincrew ranks, this ensures Traincrew are represented by someone who understands the agreement and firsthand experience of Traincrew life.
Our continued mission is to achieve a work life balance whilst ensuring wages and conditions are reflective of the type of work we do.
WHO DO WE REPRESENT?
We are a CRAFT UNION exclusively representing Drivers and Guards only, why is this important?
This means the majority of Traincrew within Queensland are members of the AFULE who are solely dedicated to the ongoing challenges within rail. We are not at the bargaining table playing one group of workers off to benefit another, we are a collective union answering to Traincrew and Traincrew only.
The union is built on the strength of our membership where Traincrew make the decisions and provide the direction for the AFULE. Our membership spans across all Queensland operators so you will always be supported by fellow members.
The AFULE being successful with delivering the first Traincrew agreement has continued to build on that original agreement ensuring Traincrew have an agreement directly relevant to the skills and knowledge we provide.
AFULE Traincrew Ladies Collective
While much has changed throughout history regarding women in the workforce, there’s still work to be done. The AFULE Traincrew Ladies Collective is a platform to discuss current issues within the workplace that need addressing, to provide a solid support network for AFULE women, to share information through media of all forms regarding not just women in the workplace but all topics around the empowerment of women worldwide, both past and present and the various issues they tackle/d, to share new information on legislative reform and to work together with other women’s movements for the betterment of current and future generations.
Men in the AFULE are our comrades & allies, their support is valued and they are welcome to join this initiative.
To become a part of the union’s TLC once you submit your application join the private Facebook group: AFULE Traincrew Ladies Collective
In 1996 the AFULE acknowledged the number of women within the industry changing the “E’ from “Enginemen” to “Employees” to reflect the changing workforce from the previously male dominated railways.
