Unions seek fresh start with Qld govt

Queensland unions are looking forward to a fresh start with the Palaszczuk government.

About 20 different unions are holding talks with the new state government on Tuesday afternoon, saying it's the first time they've done so in three years.

Queensland Council of Unions president John Battams is confident Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will honour her election commitments.

"The last two state governments, both Labor and the LNP, have been burnt because they have not been trusted at the end of the day," he said.

"We know that this premier understands that trust is a key issue and that's why we're very confident that the sorts of commitments that were given will be honoured."

Mr Battams said key issues for the unions included privatisation, contestability, worker's compensation and penalty rates.

Electrical Trades Union state secretary Peter Simpson said he was not worried about the government's plan to merge state-owned power firms.

He said upper management could be effected, but not workers on the ground who were members of his union.

The Labor government invited business and industry leaders for talks earlier in the day, but the QCU said that was the way it should be.

"Everybody should be in the loop, all parts of Queensland should be consulted, not just the big end of town," Mr Battams said.

Mr Simpson also said he wasn't concerned about the Labor government choosing to meet with businesses first.

"This is the first time I've been to parliament house in the last three years without having three coppers following me around, so I think it sends the message that we're going to talk to both side of the fence," he said.