Union members like you called on decision-makers to pass this Bill to make it simpler and fairer for working people to bargain for better workplace conditions. And on 2 December, we won. For too long, workers have been restricted by an overly complex bargaining system, making it harder to join together and improve pay and conditions. We need better workplace laws to even the balance for workers. Passing this Bill is a step in the right direction. The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill will: Get wages moving again by modernising our bargaining laws, making it simpler and fairer to negotiate for better pay and conditions and banning job ads below the minimum wage Address the gender pay gap by banning pay secrecy clauses so workers can openly talk about their pay, requiring the Fair Work Commission to consider gender when making pay decisions, delivering better flexibility for workers, and improving protections on sexual harassment Create secure jobs by restricting the use of rolling fixed term contracts as well as requiring the Fair Work Commission to consider job security when making decisions Well done to all ASU members who campaigned and made this happen. Together, we can make our workplaces & society fairer.
Last night, on the basis of union members’ campaigning so far, the government indicated that it was prepared to negotiate around its wages policy of 2.5%. On the basis of this movement, public sector unions have agreed to postpone today’s rally outside 1 William Street. For details on the latest wages negotiations, make sure you’re registered to join the Together report-back meeting on Friday – you can register here. Congratulations on putting on the pressure and ensuring movement on wages in 2022!
The Fair Work Commission has decided to increase wages for a quarter of Australian workers - 5.2 per cent for those on the minimum wage and 4.6 per cent or $40 per week for those reliant on award wages, whichever is higher. This increase applies to workers in the private sector and federal jurisdiction. Public sector workers wages are largely governed by state government wages policy, which at the moment is only 2.5%. Union members are campaign to change the state government wage policy and today's announcement from the FWC shows that 2.5% in today's economy is not good enough. You can read more about the campaign here. The FWC's decision puts an extra $40 a week in the pocket of a fulltime worker on the minimum wage and low-paid award workers. While this is a good outcome for these workers. There are still 8.5 million workers who don’t know where their next wage rise is coming from. The union movement fought hard for this increase, standing up for the quarter of Australian workers who rely on this process for a pay rise. If it were not for unions, with employers pushing for big real wage cuts, Australian working people and their families would see no relief from cost of living pressures. Lack of wage growth is a critical issue for our economy and we need concerted action to address it. Our current system means that despite low unemployment, high productivity and record profits, labour’s share of GDP is at a record low and Australian workers have faced a decade of record low wage growth capped by ongoing real wage cuts. Australia needs a plan to ensure that over time, wages grow for working people, and a system which will deliver on that plan. The current system is not delivering for working people. This Annual Wage Review is one tool we have to generate wage growth, but it only affects one in four workers – we need wage growth across the economy. The current system is failing. It is unable to deliver wage increases despite low unemployment, high productivity and high profits. Working people are feeling the serious consequences of nearly 10 years of inaction by the previous federal Government. Our country needs to take a fresh look at this problem and address it. It is not acceptable that working Australians and their families continue to go backwards while big business does so well. We cannot be satisfied with a wage setting process that leaves minimum wage workers living in poverty and delivers real wage cuts for the average worker.
Wages have become the top issue for union members in 2022. Union members in the public service have an unprecedented opportunity to campaign together to change government wages policy in 2022. At the same time, union members across the country have been campaigning for award wage rises that keep up with the cost of living. This morning the Fair Work Commission determined that workers needed a wage increase of 4.6%, well above the state government's wage policy of 2.5%. The Fair Work Commission has also awarded a flat dollar increase of $40 per work, which is higher than 4.6% and further protects low paid workers. The decision shows that workers cannot afford a wage increase of only 2.5% when prices are rising faster than they have for over two decades. A 2.5% increase for Queensland public sector workers- in line with current government policy - with inflation taking off is a wage cut in real terms. Union members have said that's simply not good enough. Be part of the campaign - register here. With most of the public sector renegotiating their EB agreements this year, there is a real opportunity for the collective strength of union members to change the state government's wages policy. Queensland public sector workers have been able to bargain for wages above their award. They have won these higher rates through their collective power in campaigns. That is why this year workers across the public sector and across unions will be campaigning for fair wage increases with a simple message that wage increases must at least match the increases in the cost of living. Next week, members in Health, Education, TMR and more will be holding virtual meetings across Queensland to kick off the campaign for fairer wages. They will be coming together with members of other public sector unions to call on the state government to change wages policy so public sector workers don't fall behind. Already 1500 members have joined the campaign - will you be part of this change? These meetings will be held in Queensland hospitals, TMR centres, TAFEs, schools and more with a simple message that wages must keep up with cost of living. It's not too late to register to attend a meeting in your workplace. Click here to join the campaign and register to attend.
