Union win: 5.2% increase to the minimum wage

Today, the Fair Work Commission has announced a 5.2 per cent increase the minimum wage from 1 July. This increase equates to an extra $40 per week in the pocket of a full-time worker on the minimum wage.

For workers who are reliant on award wages, the increase will be 4.6 per cent or $40 per week, whichever is higher.

This is a huge and proud win for the union movement, which fought hard for this increase, standing up for the quarter of Australian workers who rely on this process for a pay rise.

This decision is going to make a big difference for so many workers, but we still have work to do.

Working people are feeling the serious consequences of nearly 10 years of inaction by the previous Government – lack of wage growth is a critical issue for our economy and we need continuous, concerted action to address it.

“Not only does this increase make a meaningful difference for those working in minimum wage or award-reliant jobs, but workers on the government parental leave scheme also benefits as this is paid on the minimum wage rate.

Even if you aren’t on the minimum wage, the cost-of-living is still gnawing away at our budgets.

That is why workers in Australian unions continue to negotiate higher pay in ways that ensure all workers can have a decent living.

You shouldn’t have to scrape by to make ends meet. Union members earn, on average, 32% more than non-union members.”