
Issue No 11		30 April 1999

News

Apprentice Chefs Get Fairer Share of the Pie

By by Peter Moss and Mikael Kjaerbye

Apprentice chefs in NSW will get a pay bonus of up to $181 per week thanks to a new agreement negotiated by the LHMU.


	Cooking Up a Storm!

The agreement with the Australian Hotels Association covers several hundred apprentice chefs employed in major hotels, pubs and resorts in NSW.

Australian Liquor Hospitality Miscellaneous Workers Union Assistant National Secretary Tim Ferrari said: "Apprentice chefs in NSW will now get a fair deal. Their pay had fallen behind in recent years because their wages were set by an out-of-date State award.

The number of apprentice chefs had been steadily declining in recent years as poor pay turned away young people from the chefs trade.

Last year employers imported more than 500 overseas chefs on temporary visa to fill the skills shortage.

"This agreement makes the cooking trade a more attractive long-term career option for young people. It will help arrest the declining number of apprentice chefs in Australia."

"It is appropriate the industry attracts good young people and develop skills in Australia rather than relax immigration laws to import overseas chefs.

The new rates will be phased in over 12 months, starting from April 1999, when the agreement was ratified by the Industrial Relations Commission.

When the new rates are fully phased in 1st year apprentice chefs will be paid $255.90 per week (a pay rise of $110 per week) while 2nd year apprentices will get $302.40 per week (a pay rise of up to $125.10 per week).

3rd and 4th year apprentice chefs will get paid $372.20 per week (a pay rise of up to $151 per week) and $441.90 per week (a pay rise of up to $181 per week) respectively.

$100 more per week for Daniel

LHMU member Daniel Wilson says 'it is about time' his pay rates were increased to the level of apprentices in other States.

His work, as a third year apprentice, is very close to that performed by a qualified chef.

Yet, before the agreement negotiated by the Union in April, Daniel was paid just $220 per week before tax.

Now he will earn up to $150 per week more when the new rates are fully phased in. "That's great news," Daniel said.

"I write menus, cook for functions of 30 people or more, order and prepare food and organise staff meals in a separate kitchen. It's very satisfying work but I do have a lot of responsibilities."

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  Issue 11 contents

Interview: The Young Republican
Jason Yat-Sen Li stole the show at the Constitutional Convention with his community consultation compromise. Now he faces a bigger challenge, convincing Australia to vote Yes.

Unions: ACTU Moves on the Republic
The ACTU Executive has endrosed the Australian Republic -- but it's given Howard's Preamble the short shrift it deserves.

History: And A Hundred Years Ago
Just as it was a hundred years ago, it is important that trade unions and their members are actively involved in the current republic debate.

Reader's Forum: John Passant
A Workers Online reader explains why he'll be voting "no".

Review: Mountain Men and Women Framed
Working Lives, a history of working people from the Blue Mountains, looks back to illuminate future challenges.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's fortnightly newsletter for unions.

International: Performers on the World Stage
Australian performers know better than most the importance of identity, self and place. That's why they are committed Republicans.

» Unions Challenge: Reclaim the Republic

» Freeloader Legislation on the Agenda

» Unions� New Years Eve Plea

» Skill Shortage Leads to Tiling Crisis

» Apprentice Chefs Get Fairer Share of the Pie

» Rail Workers Strike for Passenger Safety

» Living Wage Sparks New Activity

» ACTU Endorses East Timor Action

» WorkCover Troubles Can�t Hit Injured Workers

» NSW Young Labor Turns 50!