SACS: Social & Community Services

Union lays foundations for fairer work: Union and Federal Government reach historic agreement

By the ASU - the social and community services industry union

The Australian Services Union (ASU) and the Australian Government have reached an historic agreement which will see the social and community services sector as the test case for pay equity in the new Federal Industrial Relations system.

This agreement means that the very first National equal remuneration case under the new Fair Work Act will be run by ASU with the support and co-operation of the Australian Government.

ASU Assistant National Secretary, Linda White today declared the landmark agreement would provide unprecedented opportunity to argue for significant pay increases based on pay equity principles to flow to social and community sector workers throughout the country.

"Today ASU and the Australian Government have reached agreement which potentially lays a foundation to provide equity and fairness for tens of thousands of Australian workers. It is nation-building in the workplace," Linda White said.

"As the largest union in non government social and community services, the ASU looks forward to achieving pay equity in this important section of the Australian economy which is at the forefront of delivering social inclusion to our country," Linda White said.

This landmark agreement helps to pave the way for the ASU's successful Queensland pay equity case to flow on to SACS workers across Australia. The case will seek pay rises based on pay equity and work value to support retention of staff and address a chronic skills shortage in the sector by delivering substantial wage rise for the predominately female workforce - 87% of SACS workers are women.

"If the remuneration case is successful, a phase-in of enhanced wages and conditions will provide welcome relief to both employees and employers in the sector. Many organisations are struggling with wage rates failing to attract and retain staff," Linda White said.

Further comment

For further comment, please contact: Linda White ASU Assistant National Secretary on 0419 507 809

Related news

Federal Govt news release: "Community sector workers to move to Fair Work system and seek national pay equity order"

Julia Gillard speaking notes from Conference: "Serious Women's Business Conference 2009", 9 November 2009

ACTU news release: "Pay push for social & community workers: ACTU backs major new test case"

The St Vincent de Paul Society media release: "Community Sector Agreement Welcomed"

The Australian Human Rights Commission media release: "Pay equity test case extremely important"

Media coverage

Community workers push for big pay rise by MISHA SCHUBERT AND BEN SCHNEIDERS, The Age, November 5, 2009

Women would be winners in test case by KIRSTY NEEDHAM, Sydney Morning Herald, November 5, 2009

Love of job not always enough by Ben Schneiders, The Age, November 5, 2009

Equal-pay test case could cause wage break-out by Ben Schneiders, The Age, November 6, 2009

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