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MEDIA RELEASE: Community Sector welcomes Equal Pay case decision 1st Feb 2012

February 01, 2012

Community Sector welcomes Equal Pay case decision

WACOSS today welcomes the Fair Work Australia decision that community sector workers will be paid a higher wages for their work with vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.  

“This is an important step in addressing the historical undervaluing of community sector workers” said Irina Cattalini, WACOSS CEO.

The wages increase range from 19 - 41% close to what was agreed by the Australian Services Union and the Commonwealth Government in their application for the equal pay decision.

“Those who work within the sector, predominantly women, have for too long been unrecognised and underrated.  This decision is critical to reinstating the balance, but it will take a long time to get there.”

The new wage rates will be implemented over eight years, in nine equal parts, commencing from 1 December 2012.

“This timeframe is longer than expected, and WACOSS is committed to working with community service organisations and governments to ensure that this does not impact on the sustainability of community services.”

The longer timeframe should, however, ease the impact on employers and governments to fully fund the new rates.  

WACOSS looks forward to working further with the Western Australian Government to fully implement the rollout of the FWA decision along with the other funding and contracting reforms currently underway.

The full FWA decision can be found at http://www.fwa.gov.au/sites/remuneration/decisions/2012fwafb1000.htm


Media Contact
Irina Cattalini, CEO

042 422 438 or 9420 7222

 

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