Wages

Working people would be $4,700 worse off if Dutton was PM

Date Published: 28/08/2024
Category: Campaign Election Politics and Big Business Wages

If annual wage growth had continued at the same low rate as under the last Coalition government, the average Australian worker’s wages or salary would be $4,700 less today.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/28/working-people-would-be-4700-worse-off-if-dutton-was-pm/

Using new laws to win better pay and conditions for working people

Date Published: 14/08/2024
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work Wages

Union members are using new union-won laws to secure better pay and conditions for thousands of workers across workplaces and industries.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/08/14/using-new-laws-to-win-better-pay-and-conditions-for-working-people/

Are you being paid correctly?

Date Published: 26/07/2024
Category: Rights at Work Wages

No matter what you do for work, it’s essential to understand your rights when it comes to your payslip.   Your employer is responsible for maintaining accurate records, and must provide you a payslip within one business day of receiving your pay.  While there are penalties in place for employers who fail to do so, not…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/26/are-you-being-paid-correctly/

Union members win change this financial year

Date Published: 04/07/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages Working Life

Today’s the start of a new financial year, and a number of changes that benefit workers – and workers’ wallets – have come into effect.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/07/04/union-members-win-change-this-financial-year/

Six wins for workers to celebrate on 1 July

Date Published: 20/06/2024
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages Working Life

In just over one week, millions of workers across Australia will start to see a boost to their pay packets and increased safety in their workplaces.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/06/20/six-wins-for-workers-to-celebrate-on-1-july/

Feminised industries need systemic change and targeted pay rises

Date Published: 02/05/2024
Category: Campaign Wages Women

This year union members are calling for workers in key low-paid feminised industries to receive an interim pay rise of 9%.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/05/02/feminised-industries-need-systemic-change-and-targeted-pay-rises/

Union members are calling for a 5% increase to the minimum wage

Date Published: 28/03/2024
Category: Campaign Wages

This week, union members announced that we are calling for a 5% increase to help with the cost-of-living and make sure we’re getting our share of the profits we create.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/03/28/union-members-are-calling-for-a-5-increase-to-the-minimum-wage/

Here’s how your wages could be going up

Date Published: 22/03/2024
Category: Campaign Wages

A new report by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work confirms that increasing the minimum wage is the right thing to do in this cost-of-living crisis, and there is no risk of an increase triggering inflation.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/03/22/heres-how-your-wages-could-be-going-up/

This International Women’s Day, union women are celebrating…

Date Published: 08/03/2024
Category: Wages Women Working Life

On this International Women’s Day, there’s much to celebrate – from the tough, tireless working women who fought for better conditions, liveable wages and autonomy throughout the last two centuries; right through to the victories won by working women over the past year.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/03/08/this-international-womens-day-union-women-are-celebrating/

Gender pay gap the lowest on record

Date Published: 28/02/2024
Category: Campaign Wages Women

Did you see the gender pay gap figures that were announced yesterday? It happened because unions fought – and won – to bring in new laws that force companies to publicly disclose the difference between male and female workers’ earnings. The numbers tell us that we’ve come a long way, particularly in the last few…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2024/02/28/gender-pay-gap-the-lowest-on-record/

New laws passed – winning fundamental rights for working people  

Date Published: 20/12/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Politics and Big Business Rights at Work Wages

Part one of the Closing Loopholes Bill has passed the Senate, delivering a much-needed win for Australian workers heading into the holiday season.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/12/20/new-laws-passed/

Let’s get wages moving again – close the loopholes

Date Published: 17/10/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Wages

The Closing Loopholes bill was introduced by the Albanese Government in the face of massive price gouging and profiteering by big business that caused a massive inflation spike. The new laws will increase job security, help stop wage theft, make workplaces safer, and help get wages moving again.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/10/17/lets-get-wages-moving-again-close-the-loopholes/

Let’s get it done: close the loopholes to improve pay and conditions for workers

Date Published: 05/09/2023
Category: Campaign Job Security Rights at Work Wages Work Health and Safety

New laws, designed to make workplaces fairer and safer for workers, have been introduced by the Albanese Government in Parliament this week. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/09/05/lets-get-it-done-close-the-loopholes-to-improve-pay-and-conditions-for-workers/

You’re set to get more pay in July. Here’s how to check.

Date Published: 30/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Whether your pay is getting a bump up and by how much depends on a few different factors. Here are three steps to help you figure out how much to expect in your next pay cycle.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/30/youre-set-to-get-more-pay-in-july-heres-how-to-check/

How employers get away with stealing wages

Date Published: 15/06/2023
Category: Social Justice Wages

With two-thirds of workers in Australia having experienced wage theft, chances are it could be happening in your industry too.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/15/how-employers-get-away-with-stealing-wages/

How can staff be paid more than their managers?

Date Published: 06/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

“When you get on an aircraft, every crew member could be on a completely different pay scale.”

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/06/how-can-staff-be-paid-more-than-their-managers/

Find out if you just received the nationwide pay rise

Date Published: 02/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Good news! Around one in four workers in Australia have just won a pay rise. Find out if you’re one of them.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/02/find-out-if-you-just-received-the-nationwide-pay-rise/

We’ve won a pay rise for millions of workers today

Date Published: 02/06/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Australian unions have just helped secure wage increases between 5.75% and 8.6% for millions of workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/06/02/weve-won-a-pay-rise-for-millions-of-workers-today/

Do Millennials and Gen Z really have it that tough?

Date Published: 21/04/2023
Category: Social Justice Wages Working Life

They grew up during the Global Financial Crisis, survived a decade of conservative governments, and now are well and truly adults. Millennials are thirty, flirty and so not thriving.  

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/04/21/do-millennials-and-gen-z-really-have-it-that-tough/

Six things you need to know about the minimum wage in 2023

Date Published: 12/04/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

Here are the six things you need to know about how everyone benefits from fair pay rises.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/04/12/six-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-minimum-wage-in-2023/

Why a 7% increase to the minimum wage is a matter of survival

Date Published: 03/04/2023
Category: Campaign Wages

For workers who rely on minimum wages, the sheer cost of living doesn’t mean missing out on takeaway coffee or streaming services. Those things are already long gone. It means cutting back on basic needs because there’s nothing else left to cut.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/04/03/why-a-7-increase-to-the-minimum-wage-is-a-matter-of-survival/

Early educators are out to win a massive pay rise. You can too.

Date Published: 17/02/2023
Category: Campaign Wages Women

How have we reached this point? Because wage growth has looked like a bumpy footpath for the past decade while corporate profits have scaled mountains.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2023/02/17/early-educators-are-out-to-win-a-massive-pay-rise-you-can-too/

One in four Australians skipping meals shows need to get wages moving again

Date Published: 01/12/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

It’s a shocking figure that has gained massive media attention, making headlines in the ABC and the Guardian. Even The Australian understands that one in four Australian skipping meals means we need urgent reform. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/12/01/one-in-four-australians-skipping-meals-shows-need-to-get-wages-moving-again/

Three things workers need to see in tonight’s Federal Budget

Date Published: 25/10/2022
Category: Politics and Big Business Wages Working Life

Prices on everything are going up but our wages have failed to match those increases. The budget is a chance to turn the trend around. But don’t just take it from us. It’s what the experts are saying too.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/10/25/three-things-workers-need-to-see-in-tonights-federal-budget/

Are you one of the workers who has just landed a pay rise? Here’s how to check

Date Published: 12/10/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

Do you work on a plane? Or in a café? Or conduct tours? If you work one of these jobs or one of the many others in aviation, hospitality, travel and tourism, you should have received a few extra dollars in your most recent pay slip.   As of 1 October, workers in these industries have…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/10/12/are-you-one-of-the-workers-who-has-just-landed-a-pay-rise-heres-how-to-check/

How we can get wages growing again

Date Published: 01/09/2022
Category: Wages

Our workplace bargaining laws are overly and unnecessarily complicated. They no longer provide an even playing field for workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/09/01/how-we-can-get-wages-growing-again/

Having trouble getting decent pay? Fixing the bargaining system will change that

Date Published: 31/08/2022
Category: Campaign Rights at Work Wages

Keep an eye out of the next few days for the union movement’s positive plan to ensuring millions of workers can get a pay rise.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/31/having-trouble-getting-decent-pay-fixing-the-bargaining-system-will-change-that/

Sally McManus provides a key answer to fixing our low wages

Date Published: 25/08/2022
Category: Rights at Work Wages

We are staring in the face of a massive cost of living crisis where the prices everywhere have gone up but our wages have not. So what do we do to tackle such a big challenge?  

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/25/sally-mcmanus-provides-a-key-answer-to-fixing-our-low-wages/

Workers’ wages and training need a massive boost

Date Published: 17/08/2022
Category: Wages Working Life

A new report from the Australian Council of Trade Unions calls for the reinvigoration of Australia’s TAFE by guaranteeing a minimum of 70 percent public funding, as well repairing almost a decade of damage to our apprenticeship system.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/17/workers-wages-and-training-need-a-massive-boost/

Interest rate increases worsens cost-of-living crisis – but workers can turn the tide

Date Published: 03/08/2022
Category: Wages

The interest rate rise of 0.5 percentage points, which brings the cash rate to 1.85 per cent, announced on Tuesday by the Reserve Bank of Australia will worsen the cost-of-living crisis for workers. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/08/03/interest-rate-increases-worsens-cost-of-living-crisis-but-workers-can-turn-the-tide/

Corporate profits are the main cause of the cost-of-living crisis

Date Published: 19/07/2022
Category: Politics and Big Business Social Justice Wages

The evidence is in: this cost-of-living crisis could have been prevented if corporate giants had put people over profit.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/19/corporate-profits-are-the-main-cause-of-the-cost-of-living-crisis/

Workers supported to isolate with COVID sick leave restored

Date Published: 18/07/2022
Category: Wages Work Health and Safety

Good news for workers without paid sick leave: the Albanese Government has restored the $750 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/18/workers-supported-to-isolate-with-covid-sick-leave-restored/

Big business running same tired scare campaign when it comes to paying increases to workers

Date Published: 05/07/2022
Category: Politics and Big Business Wages

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate the 5.2% wage increase minimum wage workers will see appear on their pay slips in a matter of days. But it seems big business and conservative politicians aren’t too keen to give workers their fair share.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/07/05/big-business-running-same-tired-scare-campaign-when-it-comes-to-paying-increases-to-workers/

Minimum wage increase well within the means of Australian businesses

Date Published: 22/06/2022
Category: Politics and Big Business Wages

“If you said workers should continue to have real wage cuts and pay for an inflation rate they didn’t cause, I think that’s morally bankrupt,” said Sally McManus.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/06/22/minimum-wage-increase-well-within-the-means-of-australian-businesses/

Union win: 5.2% increase to the minimum wage

Date Published: 15/06/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

Today, the Fair Work Commission has announced a 5.2 per cent increase the minimum wage from 1 July. This increase equates to an extra $40 per week in the pocket of a full-time worker on the minimum wage. For workers who are reliant on award wages, the increase will be 4.6 per cent or $40 per week, whichever…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/06/15/union-win-5-2-increase-to-the-minimum-wage/

Minimum wage workers share stories of “grotesque” hours and low paid work to support a 5.5% wage increase

Date Published: 18/05/2022
Category: Wages

Minimum wage workers have shared stories what it’s really like to live on low paid work, while Morrison dismissed their frontline jobs as a “stepping stone”. 

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/05/18/minimum-wage-workers-share-stories-of-grotesque-hours-and-low-paid-work-to-support-a-5-5-wage-increase/

Minimum wage workers need a pay increase but Morrison would rather see real wages go backwards

Date Published: 09/05/2022
Category: Politics and Big Business Wages

What does it take to make sure we don’t have to worry about being able to pay the bill at the supermarket or the petrol station? The simple answer: higher wages including an increased minimum wage.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/05/09/minimum-wage-workers-need-a-pay-increase-but-morrison-would-rather-see-real-wages-go-backwards/

Ready to support a 5.5% wage increase but not sure how? Here’s five things you can say

Date Published: 09/04/2022
Category: Campaign Wages

We have been hearing a lot of old disproven excuses from big business and media commentators about why the minimum wage shouldn’t be increased. Here are five things you can say to set the conversation back on track.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/04/09/ready-to-support-a-5-wage-increase-but-not-sure-how-heres-five-things-you-can-say/

What is a living wage? Here’s what you need to know

Date Published: 01/04/2022
Category: Wages

Sticking to the minimum wage on its own simply isn’t enough to keep us out of poverty.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/04/01/what-is-a-living-wage-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Why it’s time for a 5% increase to the minimum wage  

Date Published: 31/03/2022
Category: Wages

Australia’s living standards and wages need to stop going backwards. Wage increases need to more than cover the rising cost of living – we need a genuine living wage.  

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/03/31/why-its-time-for-a-5-increase-to-the-minimum-wage/

The ultimate guide to getting paid what you’re owed

Date Published: 28/02/2022
Category: Wages

The best way to avoid having your wages stolen in the first place is to be a union member.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2022/02/28/the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-paid-what-youre-owed/

There’ll be no economic recovery without a wages recovery

Date Published: 14/07/2021
Category: Wages

It’s time to face the truth. Our wages problem is because of the weak bargaining power of workers, writes ACTU Secretary Sally McManus

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/07/14/no-economic-recovery-without-a-wages-recovery/

Unions win pay rise for over 2 million workers

Date Published: 30/06/2021
Category: Campaign Wages

Over two million workers are set to get a 2.5% pay rise after a hard-fought campaign by Australian unions.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/06/30/unions-win-pay-rise-for-over-2-million-workers/

Report finds pay rise for one in four workers critical to economic recovery

Date Published: 26/05/2021
Category: Wages Work Health and Safety

A new report released by independent think tank Per Capita shows an increase to the minimum wage is critical to Australia’s economic recovery

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/26/report-finds-pay-rise-for-one-in-four-workers-critical-to-economic-recovery/

What can be done about low wages? The answer is simple.

Date Published: 19/05/2021
Category: Wages

A minimum wage increase will improve the lives of millions of Australians, but employer groups are trying to block it. What can be done?

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/19/what-can-be-done-about-low-wages/

Without wage increases, this budget is a failure

Date Published: 13/05/2021
Category: Wages Working Life

The budget has failed as a plan to revive Australia’s social infrastructure and as a plan for economic recovery, writes Chloe Ward

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/05/13/this-budget-is-a-failure/

Who’s trying to stop you getting a pay rise?

Date Published: 30/04/2021
Category: Wages

We’ve rounded up the last five years of Annual Wage Review submissions to see who is trying to stop you from getting a pay rise

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/04/30/whos-trying-to-stop-you-getting-a-pay-rise/

Making the case for a living wage

Date Published: 09/04/2021
Category: Wages Working Life

A real, meaningful increase to the minimum wage is not only the right thing to do, but makes plenty of sense, writes Chloe Ward.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/04/09/making-the-case-for-a-living-wage/

Break it down for me: changes to the minimum wage

Date Published: 26/03/2021
Category: Wages

Pay rises don’t just happen. Somebody has to ask for them.
This week, Australian Unions are doing just that. We’re making our case to the annual wage review for a rise in the minimum wage. Let’s break down what the annual wage review is and what it could mean for you.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2021/03/26/break-it-down-for-me-changes-to-the-minimum-wage/

The minimum wage will increase 2020

Date Published: 21/06/2020
Category: Wages

Each year, Australian Unions works to increase the minimum wage for all workers.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2020/06/21/the-minimum-wage-will-increase-2020/

The minimum wage should be a living wage

Date Published: 11/07/2018
Category: Wages

Australia’s a great place to live with a high standard of living, and we want to keep it that way. A cornerstone of our way of life is a decent wage – not just a minimum wage but a living wage. A decent wage that includes penalty rates, overtime allowances and paid leave. A national…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2018/07/11/the-minimum-wage-should-be-a-living-wage/

Wage theft – the new model for big business

Date Published: 08/09/2017
Category: Wages

No worker should ever have their wages stolen, but it has become a widespread and common problem in Australia. Roughly one-third of Australian workers are victims of wage theft each year, robbing workers around the country of an estimated $1.35 billion annually. It can occur in any industry, but wage theft has become common practice…

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2017/09/08/wage-theft-the-new-model-for-big-business/

Trickle down inequality exposed

Date Published: 23/08/2016
Category: Wages

One of the defining concepts that underpins much of Malcolm Turnbull’s economic ideas – and pretty much every conservative government going back to Reagan and Thatcher in the 1980s – is the belief in “trickle down”.

https://www.australianunions.org.au/2016/08/23/trickle-down-inequality-exposed/