And after a long campaign, I was delighted that this government was able to
award wage rises of at least 6.5% for more than 1 million NHS workers in England earlier this year, and increase the NHS budget by PS20 billion.
While their wages were driven down with drivel about "competitiveness", Australian unions demanded and delivered the
award wage system, which doesn't exist in either of those other countries.
If paid the minimum
award wage, penalty rates would make up 30 per cent of the worker's $172 earnings, the commission says.
According to a statement by SNA, airlines refused to
award wage increases surpassing past inflation and including a measure of productivity.
In most cases, the relevant
award wage for apprentices and trainees is below the national minimum wage.
A study of 350 companies by pay specialists IRS showed most expected to
award wage rises of at least three per cent, with a third anticipating increases of four per cent or more.
A study of 350 companies by pay specialists IRS showed most expected to
award wage rises of at least 3 per cent with a third anticipating increases of at least 4 per cent.
100 Concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value meant that in theory at least the concept of equal pay for work of equal value applied throughout Australia when
award wage rates were decided by industrial tribunals.
Australians may speak English but there are still differences, like the phrase "
award wage" instead of "minimum wage," and an informal approach to business.
The new principles have been utilised to obtain significant
award wage increases for undervalued areas of feminised work.
Notwithstanding the large number of awards and
award wage classifications, in practice the 14 wage classification levels of the Metal Industries Award have formed the basis of minimum wage adjustments under the AIRC's Safety Net wage reviews.