Fed: Award wage disparity a reason for sizeable pay rise ACTU

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Fed: Award wage disparity a reason for sizeable pay rise ACTU

The ACTU has called again on the Federal Government to respond to its push for an increase
in minimum award rates.

The call comes in the wake of statistics released yesterday, showing award wage earners
are earning $200 a week less than others.

And the figures show women and part-time employees are most likely to be paid award rates.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says full-time, adult, award-only employees had
average weekly total earnings of about $654 in May this year.

Employees paid through collective agreements received $888, while those on individual
agreements earned $852.

ACTU secretary GREG COMBET says the figures give strong backing to the peak union body's
call for a $28 Living Wage rise for low-paid workers.

Mr COMBET says unless there's a decent increase in award wages the most vulnerable
workers will continue to fall further behind.

Mr COMBET says while key employer groups have indicated they might support an increase
in minimum award rates, the federal government is yet to make its position clear.

AAP RTV dep/daw/jtb/jn/jtb/rt

KEYWORD: AWARDS (CANBERRA)

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