Equal
Pay Decision – A Milestone for NFPs
CLW welcomes the historic and significant decision by Fair Work
Australia in the equal pay case for Australian community sector workers.
This decision recognises the value of community sector workers who work
tirelessly and in difficult circumstances to take care of those who are
most vulnerable and in need of care.
“This is a milestone for equal pay and a crucial step towards ensuring
viable, effective social services by requiring appropriate levels of pay
for the staff we depend upon to deliver those services,” ACOSS Chief
Executive Dr Cassandra Goldie said.
“The decision is fairly moderate in the context of projected salary
rises over time, particularly in the public service. This makes it all
the more vital that the funding required to cover higher wages is made
available as soon as possible,” she said.
The ASU’s Assistance Branch Secretary in Victoria, Lisa Darmanin, says
while the union is extremely happy with the decision it is disappointed
with the 8 year phase in for the anticipated pay rises.
“It’s a long time for workers to wait given that the decision has
already been made that the equal pay rises are appropriate.”
The judgement says the 8 year phase in is based on submissions from
State Governments saying they could not commit to the full additional
funds.
“Now is the time for community sector employers and all State and
Territory Governments to support the decision,” said Darmanin.
Community workers have today been handed long awaited pay rises in a historic decision by Fair Work Australia in the equal pay case.
The case was lodged by the Australian Services Union on March 11 2010 to address the gender-based undervaluation of the community services sector and deliver long overdue pay increases.
ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said this was a day community workers around Australia would never forget.
"After many years of appalling pay this decision finally gives them the recognition they deserve. These workers do crucial work in our communities and yet up until now they have been paid more than 30 percent less than those performing comparable work in other sectors."
Ms White said that the decision, a crucial step forward in closing the 18 per cent pay gap between men and women, would not have been possible without the support of the Federal Government.
"It is the undervaluing of female dominated sectors such as the social and community services sector that has held back improvements to this pay gap.
"The recent commitment of the Labor Government to provide the necessary funds for these pay increases was key to the success of this case. It has been 30 years since such a significant decision was last handed down for equal pay, but today we have made history."
Ms White said the decision recommended pay rises be phased in over a period of 8 years, two years longer than the joint submission put to Fair Work Australia by the ASU and the Federal Government.
"The recommended phase in time for the increases has been extended from 6 years to 8 years. This is disappointing for workers but we should not lose sight of the fact that this is the first decision that backs equal pay in a generation."
Ms White said this decision would never have been possible without the introduction of the Fair Work Act.
"Before the Fair Work Act was introduced, sixteen cases attempted to improve pay for feminised sectors such as the community services sector - every case failed.
"This decision for community workers and for women everywhere shows the Fair Work Act is delivering fair outcomes for hard working Australians."
Ms White said now it was time for community sector employers and all State and Territory Governments to support the decision.