The ACTU recently announced it would seek a $26.60 a week wage rise for around 1.6 million award workers in the annual Minimum Wage Case
The ACTU recently announced it would seek a $26.60 a week wage rise for around 1.6 million award workers in the annual Minimum Wage Case. If successful, the claim will raise Australia’s legal adult minimum wage to $13 an hour. For full time workers this will mean a rise from the current $467.40 a week to $494 a week. The ACTU said deregulation of the labour market is keeping wages very low for award workers while the cost of living continues to rise, however the Australian Industry Group said the wage claim was out of step with Australia's economy. The wage case will be heard in February next year with a decision likely in May 2005.
Qantas strikes averted
Qantas and the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) recently reached agreement over a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) for international flight attendants. The FAAA had threatened industrial action if Qantas failed to negotiate over plans to move 400 international flight attendant jobs to London from mid next year. In a move to pre-empt industrial action, Qantas trained 300 flight attendants on short-term contracts to break any planned strikes, but the two parties reached an agreement that caps the number of flight attendants based overseas at 870 and safeguards their jobs. Qantas was subsequently reviewing its deal with the strike-breakers.
Super choice forum for HR executives
Corporate Superannuation advisory company Financial Choice will be holding the HR superannuation choice forum in Sydney on 30 November 2004. The forum is designed to assist HR executives, financial controllers and superannuation fund policy committee members who are concerned about the impact of superannuation choice. Industry experts will present on the legal implications of the new Financial Services regulations for HR professionals, how they can get a better deal from their existing superannuation fund and why industry funds are changing their service offering. Call Ellen or Gaye on 02 9262 3544 for further information or a registration kit, and RSVP by 19 November.
