Fair Work Commission increases the minimum wage by 5.2%

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Published: Wednesday, 22 June 2022 09:07

The Fair Work Commission on 15 June lifted the national minimum wage by 5.2%, noting a “sharp increase in the cost of living”. Labor had campaigned in the 21 May Federal election to support an increase in the minimum wage because “we did not want people who are on the minimum wage to go backwards” and having won the election and formed Government, did precisely that. Minister for Employment and Minister for Workplace Relations Tony Burke MP ceremoniously brandishes the submission to the FWC, above.

What a nice change to have a government interested in protecting the 2.7 million or so workers on the minimum wage who will, from 1 July, receive a 5.2% increase, or $40 a week, whichever is the greater. The Commission delayed the increase for the aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors due to “exceptional circumstances”, including their slow recovery from the Covid recession.

And as these things go, there will be pressure from the trade union movement to flow that increase across federal awards.

Procedurally, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission will convene a State Wage Case to determine whether that increase in the federal minimum wage should be reflected in the New South Wales system.

And just as federal unions pursue that increase for their members in federal awards, New South Wales unions would pursue whatever came out of the State Wage Case for their members as well.

No immediate money for local government with an increase of 2% due from the first pay period after 1 July, which is way, way behind inflation and is effectively a wage cut, but is locked in.

Petrol, groceries, meat, all the staples, $39 a kilo for green beans, FFS!

Now we have a federal government that thinks it’s okay to be a union member and have unions involved in the debate, here is a brilliant ad prepared by the ACTU as part of a broad national recruitment campaign.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qrTJgz72os

Watch the 30 seconds, enjoy its powerful message, it can bring a tear to the eye, and sign up your workmates to depa.