WAIT OUT ON WAGE INCREASE

A recent decision handed down by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has seen a two tiered increase to existing award rates.  The minimum adult wage will now increase by $17 to $448.40 a week.  Employees on a rate above $731.80 a week will be entitled to a $15 a week pay increase.  This comes after the Full Bench rejected ACTU claims for a $24.60 rise.  

Despite the AIRC decision being made, employers are reminded that this does not result in an immediate increase to any wage rate.  Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry advises that the proposed increases are subject to three qualifications:

1. Increases can be absorbed into any existing over-award payments that an employee is already receiving such as those form Certified Agreements, Australian Workplace Agreements or other informal over-award arrangements;

2. The increases will only be available from a date not earlier than at least twelve months after the increases flowing from last year’s decision  were applied to the award;

3. Unions will be required to make individual applications to vary each award in order to have increases applied.

At this stage there has been no applications for variations to the  Quarry Award submitted.   Last years wage increases came into effect on the 24 Sept 2002 as such increases from the current review should not be applicable until the 24 Sept this year.

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