This Month
Chemist Warehouse targeted in case that may open pharmacies to unions
The retail union has launched a case to force Chemist Warehouse to bargain for a multi-employer agreement as it seeks to lift pay and reduce casuals in the pharmacy sector.
Neil Perry’s minimum wage rise warning on menu prices
The celebrity chef’s lobby group is calling for hospitality staff to get a minimum wage rise of 2 per cent to balance cost-of-living relief against risk of job losses and food price hikes.
Albanese emboldens unions to seek 4.5pc minimum wage increase
The ACTU’s wage claim, pitched as a catch-up increase after a decline in real wages, is almost double the current inflation rate despite little productivity growth.
The most important IR change the next government will make
Whoever wins the federal election will be picking the next head of the Fair Work Commission, who has an outsized influence on wage decisions.
Employers call for 2.5pc minimum wage increase
A major employer group argues any above-inflation increase in the minimum wage must be linked to productivity, clashing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
October 2024
Grill’d accused of shonky wage deal
The national burger chain has found a new loophole to pay thousands of workers below minimum industry rates, the fast-food workers’ union has claimed.
June 2024
How short sellers won big on housing pain | Canada cuts rates | US recession debate is back
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Real wage pain with no productivity gain
Despite the big rises in the minimum wage over the past three years, it has not caught up with the growth in consumer prices since the pandemic.
Weak productivity halts minimum wage rise
The Fair Work Commission has warned that stalled productivity and falling profits in the retail and hospitality industries remain barriers to reversing the fall in real wages since the pandemic.
May 2024
Budget uncertainty on minimum wage could spoil unions’ bid
The workplace umpire has complained that it has no clarity over government funding for higher minimum wages for female-dominated sectors, risking spoiling unions landmark bid for a 9 per cent increase.
Budget relief comes on top of ‘decent’ wage rise: Chalmers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has fought back against an employer push to use the budget’s cost-of-living relief to lower this year’s minimum wage increase.
Bosses say budget assistance justifies smaller minimum wage increase
Employers have invoked former union chief Bill Kelty to back a moderate pay rise, saying budget relief ensures low-paid workers’ disposable income will rise.
April 2024
Union push for 9pc gender-based pay rise risks inflation: employers
Employers have lashed a landmark union push to apply gender pay principles to this year’s minimum wage increase.
Lift the minimum wage and help to close the poverty gap
Almost 5 million Australians live at or below the poverty line. Even a 4.9 per cent rise would go some way to help those in insecure work.
March 2024
Unions’ 5pc wage claim will keep interest rates high: business
Employers say the ACTU’s bid for a 5 per cent increase is “an open letter to the RBA to keep interest rates higher for longer”, while economists warn it will have an inflationary effect.
Union push for 5pc minimum wage rise sets up pay showdown
ACTU secretary Sally McManus will argue the pay claim for 2.9 million workers will not drive up inflation.
Wave of NSW wage claims up to 8pc could trigger broader pay rises
Unions want wage increases of up to 8 per cent as they prepare to negotiate new deals with railway, energy and health care workers in the most populous state.
Keep minimum wage rise to 2pc, says employer group
Business group ACCI will argue that the Fair Work Commission overcompensated for inflation last year with its record high minimum wage rise and must correct it.
January 2024
Labor and the great wage rise illusion
Labor did not cause inflation. But by celebrating higher wages with no rising productivity to back them, it is increasing the risks of inflation sticking.
November 2023
Women ‘priced out of the workforce’ by childcare fees
Australian women are being priced out of work by excessive childcare fees and that is bad for them, skills shortages and the economy.