As a part of a massed meeting of public sector union members at Perth Town Hall, UnionsWA has today released new figures that track the decline in real and comparative terms of public sector pay under the WA Government since 2017. Related staff shortages are impacting the quality of health, education and other services as well as unsafe workloads.

UnionsWA has today begun a major campaign of workplace visits, train station handouts and other activities in a call for more secure jobs in WA.

UnionsWA has today welcomed the introduction by the WA Government of its Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 that will modernise these laws and readdress historic injustices.

UnionsWA has today commented on the WA Budget 2020.

Owen Whittle, Secretary UnionsWA said:

“West Australians need a pay rise.

“The announcement that Government will end the current State Wages Policy by commencing an early review is welcome.

UnionsWA has today commented on the release of data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that measures the gender pay gap. Other data released by the ABS yesterday points to the impact of low pay rises in WA in the public sector contributing to the poor pay outcomes for women in WA.

UnionsWA and the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australian have today responded to the recent release by WorkSafe WA of a report on its monitoring of workplace exposure to silica.  Silica is the main component in manufactured stone benchtops, as well as being a workplace hazard in other sectors. Exposure to silica dust is a major factor in the incidence of silicosis as well as other debilitating lung conditions. The federal government has also recently released its own report, the National Dust Diseases Taskforce Report, on these dangers, but failed to act safely in decisions to prevent the risk of silicosis and other health risks that arise from exposure.

UnionsWA has today commented on the decision of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission in handing down the State Wage Case. The State Wage Case determines both the WA Minimum Wage and WA Award levels of pay, including for apprentices and trainees. Around a quarter of a million working West Australians have their pay determined by this decision.

Western Australian public sector unions have formed a new alliance comprising public school teachers and support staff, health workers, prison officers, firefighters, engineers, community service workers and those in our rail system, among others. It will work to reform the WA Government’s wage fixing policy. WA State Wages Policy imposes a cap to increases meaning a decline in real terms for six years for the vast majority of those we rely on to deliver essential health, education, community safety and other services.

UnionsWA has today commented on data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing that WA pay rises over the past year were at 1.4%, just below the national rate.  WA needs a skilled workforce.  This is hard data that labour market pressures stemming from low pay rises put at risk our recovery and pandemic response.

UnionsWA and the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia have today called for a greater effort to prevent risks associated with asbestos exposure associated with natural disasters.