SACS Equal Remuneration Case

1. SACS Equal Remuneration Case Linda White ASU Assistant National Secretary Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

2. Summary QLD Equal Pay Case Heads of Agreement with Commonwealth What our claim is about Timetable What employers can do Funding campaign Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

3. Qld Equal Pay Case April 2008 – Qld Branch created new State Award to apply to non trading corporations and those who Award free in 2011 November 2008 – Stage 2 – after Award made started process to adjust rates for pay equity Argued Qld pay equity principles to establish that the work in Award had undervalued based on gender Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

4. Qld Equal Pay Case Key points Gender based because care work – seen as extension of women’s role in home and not valued Lack of EBAs and bargaining – Award actual rates Compared to same jobs in public sector and local government – was undervalued Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

5. Qld Equal Pay Case May 2009 – success – increases range from 18% to 37% depending on classification Implemented over 3 year period and State wage case decisions also apply Qld government has made available some funding to pay the increases Massive victory – 2 fronts Some issues remain Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

6. Heads of Agreement SACS rates and jobs same in all States Need flow on Choice – State by State and Federally because mixture of coverage ASU agreement with the Commonwealth struck 30/10/09 Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

7. Heads of Agreement Support for case Qld Principles – NSW jurisprudence Resourcing & research Qld protected Phase in – 4 ½ years – 6 months stay before commencement Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

8. What’s our claim about? Fair Work Act provides for Equal Remuneration Orders – equal or comparable value Don’t believe need to establish equal remuneration principles – jurisprudence & law established Don’t want months on principles Result overrides every Award, EBA Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

9. What’s our claim about? Need to establish the types of factors to be addressed in assessing value of work performed by women – look at Award histories, occupation segregation and demographics Industry comparators, male dominated, evidence Expert witnesses – industry/pay equity, workplace, economic, qualifications Worker statements and evidence Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

10. What’s our claim about? Claim same as in Queensland re rates – No discount for salary packaging Close as possible to Qld classification structure – integration of disability classifications Looked at remuneration issues – extra claim for improved sleepover provisions based on NSW case for similar work Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

11. Timetable Signing Heads of Agreement was the easy part Bigger than Ben Hur Involves ACTU, HSU, LHMU, AWU, AEU New application – no cases for 13+ years Federally All 16 cases previously under Federal law – none successful Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

12. Timetable Want decision by December 2010 so can start implementation by July 2011 – coincide with modern Award Working with Commonwealth and States on evidence Want employers in loop – ACOSS, State COSS’, peaks Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

13. Timetable Agreed Statement of Facts Evidence like Qld case and significant experts, economists etc. Significant cost to ASU and other union members – coming shortly to discuss how employers can contribute Full bench of FWA Directions, evidence by June/July Finish – December 2010? Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

14. What we want from employers Employer Reference Group Keep information flow Talk about issues & solutions Establish common views on funding Funding our case Bearing brunt of funding for case Setting up structure for contributions Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

15. Funding Funding of outcome – most important have not forgotten about this State and Federal Governments need to be pressured Lobbying National Day of Action – 10 June 2010 Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

16. Funding Payup.org.au / post cards We need to work together Result will need funding Coordination & unity will be key Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010

17. Questions & discussion Family Relationship Services Australia Forum – Canberra – 24 March 2010