ASU wins!
The Full Bench of Fair Work Australia today handed down their decision in the ASU Equal Pay Case. The ASU is pleased to report that this result achieves what union members have been fighting for - to attain minimum pay rates genuinely reflecting the value of the work you perform. As well as delivering better rates of pay to workers in our sector, it also makes steps towards closing the gender pay gap of 18% in Australia – an achievement all ASU members should be very proud of!
The decision sees the minimum wage rates of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHCADS) Award 2010 receive increases of 23% - 45% over the phase in period. This is equivalent to the ASU claim of rates equivalent to those won by Queensland community workers in 2009.
The ASU is disappointed to see the phase-in period suggested by the union has been extended to 8 years, which will only see the final rates realised in 2020. This is dues to some state governments, including Victoria and Tasmania failing to commit the necessary amount of funding to pay for the increases. However, the ASU intends to pursue this matter further.
What now?
- Forward this email to your colleagues who are not yet in the Union and ask them to join the ASU today and share in this victory. Join online here.
- Come to ASU members’ mass meetings to find out more and next steps:
Melbourne: 12:00 on Thursday 16th February at Vic Trades Hall
Hobart: 12noon on Monday 20th February, venue TBA
Launceston: 12 noon on Tuesday 21st February, venue TBA
How does this apply to me?
The decision provides for the increases to be phased in over eight years in nine equal instalments, commencing on 1 December 2012 and ending on 1 December 2020. T he exact amount of the increase depends on how you are classified. To know how the decision applies to your rate of pay, you will need to know how you would be classified under the SCHCADS Award. Equal Pay increases will be in addition to Award increases granted via annual wage reviews. Importantly, the Full Bench has stated that salary packaging should continue as current.
What about funding for the decision?
We all know that your employers rely heavily on government funding to provide services to our communities, including your pay and conditions. The Federal Government gave an unequivocal commitment to fully fund programs in their areas of responsibility, whatever it takes to deliver equal pay. We have no such commitment from the Victorian or Tasmanian State Governments, who have failed to commit the required funding. Members will discuss how we campaign to pursue this funding at the mass meetings planned in mid-February.
The ASU will provide further details of the decision in coming days. In the meantime we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank every delegate, member and supporters who has rallied, lobbied, danced, emailed, and fought their way to achieve this outcome. The fight isn’t over yet we need to ensure that this outcome is fully funded with no cuts to jobs and no loss of service to our communities. Baillieu and Giddings watch out!
Read the Full Bench decision in whole here
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