Delaying wage case will cost workers

Unions will today push for 1.6 million low paid workers to get a wage increase on time.

Attempts are being made by the Federal Government to delay the national minimum wage case until after the Federal Budget.

HSU members working in some areas of residential care and aged care rely on unions to win them a pay rise in the case.

Aboriginal health workers are also affected.

HSU secretary Craig Thomson said the government's reason that it wanted to have more updated information on the economy appeared to be a smokescreen.

"What appears to be happening is that the government is trying to put off the case that delivers a pay rise to 1.6 million award workers until after it controls the Senate," Mr Thomson said.

"That will allow it to bring in laws which make it much harder for low paid workers who rely on the annual wages case to get a pay rise.

"If Australia's lowest paid workers do not deserve a pay rise who does?"

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:54 EST