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Issue No. 294 | 10 February 2006 |
Total Impact
Interview: Court's in Session Industrial: Whose Choices? Politics: Peter's Principles Environment: TINA or Greener? History: Its Not Just Handshakes and Aprons International: US Locks out Jose' Bove Education: No AWA - No Job Culture: Jesus was a Long-Grass Man Review: Charlie the Serf
Capital Punishment on the Menu Unfair Sackings Face Challenge Holden's Bad Deal for Adelaide STOP PRESS: Guest Worker Plan Goes to Water Taking a Punt on Melbourne Cup Newcastle Rails Against Contracts Free Enterprise Kills Hundreds
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Belated Merry Whatmas? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas I Think Therefore I Scam A Taxing Answer Leslie John Turner
Labor Council of NSW |
News ACCI Never Sleeps
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry unveiled its plan to compress nine lead pay scales, across industry, into one minimum rate to the federal government's award review taskforce, last week.
In a bid to head off wage cut fears, the Chamber suggested grand fathering clauses to protect current employees from its proposed cuts. But its submission makes it clear that slashing wage rates is what it is about. "A savings clause will ensure nominal or minima based changes cannot translate into any reduction of wages payable to existing employees," it says. ACTU president Sharan Burrow says the plan would affect the earnings of around 800,000 Australians with the highest skilled categories looking at cuts of up to $400 a week. Groups affected would include nurses, emergency service personnel, skilled trades people, senior civil servants, experienced teachers, engineers, chemists and IT workers. Burrow said it was a "ridiculous" proposal when the Australian economy was trying to come to grips with skills shortages. "It is not only grossly unfair but would encourage the de-skilling of the workforce at a time of chronic skills shortages," she said. The ACCI urges a "safety net approach" on the taskforce and urges against any award review process that results in wage increases. Under current award procedure, Australians are paid on one of 14 levels, based on skill and experience. The ACCI, head by former Peter Reith staffer, Peter Hendy, wants that slashed back to four minimum rates. The Award Review Taskforce was established by WorkChoices legislation. It is scheduled to give its recommendation to the federal government next month.
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