Day of Action for Equal Pay Rally - Wednesday December 15
AEU members will join disability and community workers to rally for equal pay after the Federal Government's slap in the face to low paid workers in the pay equity case before Fair Work Australia.
The Federal Government's submission to FWA in the case brought by unions on behalf of community, social and disability workers across the country, outlined all the reasons why it should not grant pay equity to those workers.
AEU branch president Mary Bluett said: "This is a huge slap in the face to the AEU's underpaid and undervalued disability members. The Gillard Government's position is that a pay equity increase will adversely impact on the federal budget and also undermine service delivery at the local level.
"It is now clear — if we want equal pay for our disability colleagues, we will need to fight for it."
Victorian Trades Hall Council has organised the rally for midday, Wednesday December 15 at the Victorian State Library in Swanston Street, Melbourne — part of a national day of action for equal pay.
AEU branch council on December 3 unanimously passed a resolution authorising sub-branch delegates to stop work to attend the rally. Sub-branches are urged to support their delegates in being there and to cover their costs.
Every sub-branch in all sectors of the union has been sent a bulletin informing members of the rally and asking each sub-branch to send a delegation.
The AEU is also asking all members to wear red on Wednesday to show their support for disability members.
The combined unions involved in the pay equity case are now asking the whole of the community sector, including employers and peak organisations, to unite to support this action.
The equal pay case before FWA seeks to overturn decades of underpayment for workers in the community, social and disability sectors. Unions argue that their skills, experience and qualifications are not reflected in their pay because most of the workers in these industries are women.
Day of Action for Equal Pay Rally
Date: Wednesday 15 December
Time: 12 midday
Place: Victorian State Library, 383 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
