
Issue No 11		30 April 1999

News

Living Wage Sparks New Activity

NSW unions will pursue pay increases in areas which will profit from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, following a less than adequate federal wage case decision this week.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission this week handed down safety net increases of between $10 and $12 per week for workers who had not received pay rises through enterprise bargaining.

The ruling was above the Howard government's claim for $8 and the employers' claim for nothing, but well short of the ACTU's Living Wage claim of $26 per week.

The modest nature of the claim was reinforced by Access Economics which calculated that the increase would translate to just $1.50 extra when taxation and the loss of benefits are taken into account.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says the ruling was particularly inadequate for NSW workers, where the increase in economic activity is flowing through to greater profits for employers.

"Employers can expect an increase in bargaining activities by the unions, especially in industries that will profit greatly from the Games," Costa says.

"All workers need to be aware that these wage rises don't just happen. This is the result of active trade unions and an Industrial Relations Commission with the power to grant wage rises. Both these institutions are still under attack from the Howard Government."

The Labor Council will apply for the decision to flow through to the state's 1.1 million workers employed under NSW awards. Unions had lodged a claim with the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for new state wage principles.

While the Labor Council will ask for a flow-on of the federal pay rises, it will also pursue ground-breaking equal pay provisions which arise from the NSW IRC's inquiry into gender pay equity. The unions have asked the Commission to create a new principle, which would be applied to all awards and industrial agreements, to ensure that women's work is not under-valued.

The State Wage case is expected to be held in Newcastle in the week commencing May 17.

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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!