
Issue No 105		03 August 2001

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News

Qld Wage Increases Welcomed

By Liz Phillips

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission this week handed down its decision on the QCU State Wage Case application filed in May this year.

The matter was heard in July and at that hearing the application was opposed by the QCCI and other employer organisations.

The QCU application was to flow on the National Wage Case outcome to State Award workers. Depending on a worker's current rate of pay, the increases were for $13.00, $15.00 and $17.00 per week. The majority of employers argued that the increase should be only $10.00 per week for all workers.

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has agreed to the QCU application which means that from 1 September this year, over 350,000 workers on Award base rates will get a pay increase the same as those on Federal Awards.

QCU General Secretary, Grace Grace welcomed the outcome.

"These increases will be welcomed by workers on Award rates of pay and we are glad that the operative date for the increases has been preserved by this decision."

"Workers who will receive this wage increase are on the lower end of the wage scale and who have been hardest hit with price increases related to the introduction of the GST and the 6% CPI figure which is a direct result of the introduction of the GST."

"The position adopted by the QCCI and other employers that would have denied these workers the same wage increases enjoyed by Federal Award workers is to be condemned. The employers have no idea how hard it is for Award workers to get by in the current economic climate."

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  Issue 105 contents

Interview: Whose Advocate?
Employment Advocate Jonathon Hamberger argues the case for his organisation's survival and reveals his secret union past.

Politics: CHOGM: What Should Unions Do?
Activists Peter Murphy and Vince Caughley kick off the debate about what is the appropriate action ot take when CHOGM leaders meet in Brisbane

E-Change: 2.1 - The Changing Corporate Landscape
In the second part of their series on the impact of new technology, Peter Lewis and Michael Gadiel try to understand the new corporate playing field.

Unions: Hamburgled
Jim Marr reports that the Employment Advocate has been handed a chance to salvage some credibility by cleaning up anti-union practices in the call centre industry.

Economics: Privatisation: The Dangerous Road
Frank Stilwell argues that the corporate collapses of HIH and One Tel are potent reminders of the downside of �people�s capitalism�.

History: Hard-Earned Lessons
Art Shostack looks at the legacy of the landmark strike by PATCO air traffic controllers 20 years ago.

International: Political Prisoner
Greenpeace campaigner Nic Clyde, facing up to six years gaol in the United States for taking part in a non-violent protest, speaks exclusively with workers Online.

Review: Seven Pubs and Seven Nights
Labor Council's newest recruit, Susan Sheather, shows she respects tradition by going in search of the perfect bar

Satire: Obituary: Mr Rob Cartwright - Captain of Industry
In all fields of endeavour, there are those who command our respect through their sheer commitment to excellence. One such titan was Rob Cartwright, whose chosen field, the obscure HR discipline of "moving people onto individual contracts" lost its greatest practitioner and champion late last night, following a tragic self-inflicted accident.

» Paradise Lost � Insurers Kill Workers' Camp

» Entitlements Betrayal at Centre of Car Crisis

» Piggins Pledges Support for Building Workers

» Legal Win for Wharfie Widows

» Unions Call for Dropping of Greenpeace Charges

» Jubilee Marches On Despite G8 Debt Fatigue

» Cleaner Sacked For Visiting Aging Parents Overseas

» Bracks Plans Curbs on Assembly Rights

» Big Gain for Weight Loss Workers

» Qld Wage Increases Welcomed

» Protecting Children, Protecting Jobs

» Child Labour Fine on McDonald's

» Call for Colombian Inquiry Into Murders

» Activist Notebook