
Issue No 54		19 May 2000

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News

GST Pay Claims to Target Allowances

A test case on the impact of the GST on workers allowances is shaping as the first real battleground for compensating workers for the impact of the new tax.

While there is much talk about general pay claims, many unions have recently settled agreements that will lock in pay rates for several years.

Instead, NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says a test case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to protect the value of workers allowances' could be the vehicle to match any CPI rises occurring after July 1.

Costa says workers in most occupations receive allowances for meals, uniforms, tools, accommodation and travel that have a specific dollar value attached to them.

"These will clearly be eroded by any GST price rises; opening the way for a claim for increases to maintain the allowance," he says.

"A test case from one of these industries could then become a benchmark for other occupations delivering a statewide adjustment."

Costa made the comments after the Independent Education union criticised the ACTU's "campaign by press release" on the GST which it fears will create an expectation of general pay rises amongst members.

The IEU, which has recently completed negotiations for a four year deal, says members had been advised that a GST clause in their agreement was not possible to achieve.

"Peak bodies ... should try and avoid making statements which seem to apply to all workers and which ignore the range of agreements not up for negotiation," IEU state secretary Dick Shearman says. "This is particularly so in areas where they cannot deliver."

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Issue 54 contents

Interview: South of the Border
Victorian Trades Hall chief Leigh Hubbard on life under Bracks, militant unionism and why more people march in Melbourne.

Politics: Jeff Shaw's Second Wave
The full text of the NSW Industrial Relations Minister's speech to Labor Council announcing the Carr Government's IR reform agenda.

Unions: Reith's Laws: Just Say NO
The ACTU has called on Labor and the Democrats to reject Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith's anti-industry bargaining Workplace Relations 2000 Bill out right.

History: A Breed Of Their Own
Labour historian Greg Patmore explains what makes his fraternity tick - and why they're still going strong and making history.

International: Sony's Asian Showdown
The Japanese electronic giant Sony is threatening to shutdown production facilities in Indonesia - where a prolonged strike has cost it US$200milliom - and move to next door Malaysia where electronic workers are banned from forming a union.

Human Rights: Good Guys, Bad Guys
Everywhere we look -in our newspapers, on the television, in reports by business leaders, academics and politicians - advocacy of human rights seems to be on a collision course with governmental and business interests.

Review: New Workers, New Challenges
A new wave of thought is arguing that working life is changing - but this doesn't necessarily deal unions out the action.

Satire: Rain Man Withdraws Endorsement of Qantas
After the third major safety incident in the space of a year, Qantas has lost the confidence of the most famous public supporter of its once unblemished safety record, the autistic star of Rain Man, Raymond.

» Carr Moves on Casuals

» Democrats Wavering on Reith Bill

» Exit Visas for Child Care Workers

» GST Pay Claims to Target Allowances

» Tide Turns On Competitive Tendering

» Joy Takes Message To The World

» Mines Out as Rio Tinto Torps Talks

» Political Economy for Activists, 2000

» Unions March for Reconciliation

» STOP PRESS: AK-47s used in coup against union-aligned Fiji Labour Government