AWU challenge to Brumby pay policy

Date: 27 March 2009

The new Victorian Government public sector wages policy, announced today, was an unjustified and inflexible step backwards for many working people, according to the Victorian Secretary of The Australian Workers Union, Cesar Melhem.

Vic Forest Firefighter

"While it may not be the intention of the Government, its new ceiling on wage outcomes for government employees threatens the living standards of public sector workers who are already struggling to keep pace with inflation and increased job insecurity as a result of the world financial crisis", Mr Melhem said today.

New pay limits

State Treasurer John Lenders today announced that the Victorian Government's 3.25 per cent ceiling on annual public sector wage rises (with the opportunity for further increases conditional on productivity improvements) will be cut to 2.5 per cent annually.

The new limit will apply to all agreements that have not reached a heads of agreement stage by midday on 4 May 2009, but will not apply to existing agreements.

AWU pressing ahead with Forest Firefighter pay claim

Mr Melhem said the AWU would press ahead with its current claim to significantly increase the wages of hundreds of Forest Firefighters employed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to bring their pay in line with other State Government Firefighters.

"We may be at loggerheads with the Government but we will continue with our pay parity claim for the DSE Firefighters, which we have been pursuing for more than four years - including during the good times of record sustained economic growth and budget surpluses", Mr Melhem said.

Premier should ensure a positive and equitable outcome for bushfire crisis workers

"Given the historic underpayment and exploitation of the DSE Firefighters, it would be simply unjust and inconsistent of the Government to use the global financial crisis as an excuse to now reject their fair and modest claim for pay parity with other Victorian public sector Firefighters."

Mr Melhem called on Premier John Brumby to personally intervene in the pay negotiations between the AWU and DSE, accusing the Department of being obstructive and trying to intimidate its employees.

"After his welcome words and big spending promises in response to the bushfire crisis, the Premier should act to ensure a positive and equitable outcome for the DSE Forest Firefighters and Victorians everywhere who depend on their courageous work for the security of their communities," Mr Melhem said.

Read earlier AWU report

• Victorian Forest Firefighters consider industrial action

Jeremy Vermeesch

0431 942 977

INTERVIEWS: AWU Victorian Branch Secretary

Cesar Melhem

0418 597 822

For further information

Contact:	Cesar Melhem, Branch Secretary
Union:	AWU Victoria
Contact Mobile:	0418 597 822.
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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