Fair Work Australia wage decision handed down.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:17PM
The Full Bench of Fair Work Australia today handed down their decision in the Australian Services Unio Equal Pay Case. The ASU is pleased to report that this result achieves what union members have been fighting for - to attain minimum pay rates genuinely reflecting the value of the work you perform. As well as delivering better rates of pay to workers in our sector, it also makes steps towards closing the gender pay gap of 18% in Australia – an achievement all ASU members should be very proud of!
The decision sees the minimum wage rates of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHCADS) Award 2010 receive increases of 23% - 45% over the phase in period. This is equivalent to the ASU claim of rates equivalent to those won by Queensland community workers in 2009.
The ASU is disappointed to see the phase-in period suggested by the union has been extended to 8 years, which will only see the final rates realised in 2020. This is dues to some state governments, including Victoria and Tasmania failing to commit the necessary amount of funding to pay for the increases. However, the ASU intends to pursue this matter further.
What now?
1. Forward this message to your colleagues who are not yet in the Union and ask them to join the ASU today and share in this victory. Join online at: http://www.asuvictas.com.au/your-union/join-online.html
2. Come to ASU members’ mass meeting to find out more and next steps:
a. Melbourne: 12:00 on Thursday 16th February at Vic Trades Hall
How does this apply to me?
The decision provides for the increases to be phased in over eight years in nine equal instalments, commencing on 1 December 2012 and ending on 1 December 2020. The exact amount of the increase depends on how you are classified. To know how the decision applies to your rate of pay, you will need to know how you would be classified under the SCHCADS Award. Equal Pay increases will be in addition to Award increases granted via annual wage reviews. Importantly, the Full Bench has stated that salary packaging should continue as current.
What about funding for the decision?
We all know that your employers rely heavily on government funding to provide services to our communities, including your pay and conditions. The Federal Government gave an unequivocal commitment to fully fund programs in their areas of responsibility, whatever it takes to deliver equal pay. As yet, we don't have a commitment from the Victorian or Tasmanian State Governments.
The ASU will provide further details of the decision in coming weeks. The fight isn’t over yet we need to ensure that this outcome is fully funded with no cuts to jobs and no loss of service to our communities.
To read the Full Bench decision in whole: http://www.fwa.gov.au/sites/remuneration/decisions/2012fwafb1000.htm
Join the ASU here:
http://www.asuvictas.com.au/your-union/join-online.html
Read the media release from Financial Counselling Australia here
