Award Wages Increased – Community Services

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.

Your Union 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 have been paid under a State Award (eg the Social and Community Services Award, Clerks SA Award or Disability Services Award) and work for an employer that is not a constitutional corporation you are entitled to the increase. Many community organizations could fall into this category.

Which community organizations might be constitutional corporations (if any) is a subject of much debate. Much legal uncertainty in this area exists however regardless of this there is nothing to stop organizations paying this increase.

Your ASU has been successful in having some community services employers pay the increase despite this uncertainty. 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 as a pdf file from the following links. Alternatively contact your ASU Office on 8363 1322.

Note on Awards: If you are on the CASH Award (Federal) or CETSS Award (Federal) and want to know more please contact your ASU Office.

2006 Award Wage Review
Social and Community Services Award - 2006 Award Wage Review

Disability Services Award - 2006 Award Wage Review

And for administrative staff within Community Services
Clerks SA 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 community sector campaign to ensure a strong and sustainable community sector into the future.