AWARD WAGES INCREASED – Commercial and Legal

The South Australian Industrial Relations Commission recently awarded an increase of $17.00 per week to award rates up to and including $570 per week and $18.00 per week for award rates above $570 per week. They also awarded increases to work-related allowances.

The operative date for these increases will vary, depending upon which award covers your employment but, generally speaking, they took effect from mid-July.

The ASU has also applied to have expense related allowances (eg travel and meal) increased but, as with the salary increases, there is a legal requirement to pass these on only to employees who have managed to escape the Federal Government's new industrial relations legislation.

Who is entitled to this increase? Thanks to the Federal Government's new industrial relations legislation (inappropriately named Work Choices), thousands of South Australian workers will miss out on these salary and allowance increases.

If you work for a constitutional corporation, you will miss out. Simply put, a constitutional corporation is an incorporated body that

1. trades in goods and/or services or
2. is a financial corporation (eg banks and the like) or
3. is a foreign corporation (ie it is incorporated overseas)

How do I know if my employer is a constitutional corporation? For many ASU members, this is a very vexed question. Whilst so much uncertainty in this area exists, the ASU has been successful in having some employers who may not be required to pay the increases agree to pass on the increases. Hopefully other employers will realise the injustice of the new Federal legislation and also pass on the increases awarded by the State Industrial Relations Commission.

What can I do? If you are not receiving the increase and are unsure if you are entitled to receive it or if you are interested in working with others at your workplace to try and secure the increase in your workplace contact your Australian Services Union office on 8363 1322.

If I am entitled to the increases, how do I know the new rates?
The new rates can be downloaded from the following links. Alternatively contact your ASU Office on 8363 1322.

2006 Award Wage Review
Clerks SA Award -2006 Award Wage Review

Clerks Retail Award - 2006 Award Wage Review

Clerks Clubs Hotels Motels Award - 2006 Award Wage Review

Clerks Metal Industry Award - 2006 Award Wage Review

More than ever securing wage increases and rights at work will depend on being active, strong and united in your workplace and in your industry. Talk with your ASU Office today about how you can get involved in the Your Rights at Work campaign.