Major win for AEU Wake Up Pay Up campaign as Brumby commits to funding
The AEU Wake Up Pay Up campaign has had a major win with Premier John Brumby announcing he will deliver Fair Work Australia's decision on our claim for disability workers.
The AEU's thousands of postcards and the successful Day of Action and Pay Equity Rally where over 4000 marched on Parliament, have drawn a very significant commitment from the Brumby Government.
FWA will rule later this year on a pay equity case lodged by the AEU, ASU, HACSU and the Australian union movement. But Brumby has already agreed to deliver on its outcome — and the Opposition has agreed to match his commitment.
AEU Victoria president Mary Bluett described the Premier's decision as "fantastic news. The Wake Up: Pay Up campaign, the thousands of postcards and the National Day of Action focused political attention on an under-funded and underpaid area.
"The campaign is now to build more public support in the campaign leading up to a positive outcome in the Commonwealth case."
Unions lodged the application for an Equal Remuneration order in March this year, with the case to be dealt with by a Full Bench of Fair Work Australia.
At the State ALP Conference on Saturday, Premier Brumby announced:
"Today I am proud to announce that a re-elected Labor Government will back Fair Work Australia's decision on this pay claim.
"We will factor in any wage increases to our service agreements with community services organisations and ensure those wage increases are passed on to workers."
Premier Brumby said that despite the State Government would "work over time to provide the level of funding the sector needs to pay its invaluable workers, and get on with the job of caring for the most vulnerable people in our state.
"It's a commitment that will impact on our budget — but it is what we believe in. We believe in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.
"Budget capacity exists in the forward estimates and once Fair Work Australia has made its determination, it will be fully costed and factored in to Labor's Financial Statement for the 2010 State Election."
In this, an election year, the Opposition has agreed to match the Government's pledge. The value of your work has public recognition.
We will keep members informed of the ongoing campaign and next steps.
Go to the Wake Up Pay Up campaign page.
