A national day of protest is just the start of a campaign to consign the federal coalition government to the same fate as the Newman government, unionists warn.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions will hold rallies in 15 locations on Wednesday to campaign against the Abbott government.

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ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said he expected tens of thousands of people to turn out across the country.

“Workers made their voices heard in the Victorian and Queensland elections with one-term coalition governments,” Mr Oliver said.

“We can do it again with the Liberal federal government.”

“The national day of action is just the start of the fight.”

In Queensland, marches are planned for Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay.

It comes after the ACTU also announced a new campaign strategy to target 32 marginal seats ahead of the next federal election.

While the final list hasn’t been locked in, the ACTU says it will encompass areas such as western Sydney, Eden Monaro as well as Victorian electorates such as Deakin, Corangamite and La Trobe.

The union body says more than 20 new staff will be hired to help with the campaign.