The SDA, the biggest private sector union in the country, welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Decision to increase wages by 4.75 percent from July 1 for its 200,000 plus members.
“We note that the decision is ahead of the April increase in the CPI of 4.2 percent and we hope that remains the case in the months ahead”
“At the same time, with the RBA forecasting a headline inflation rate of 4.8% by June 2026 the union is disappointed that unlike last year the Commission could not see its way clear to grant a real wage increase, except for the very lowest paid and new workforce entrants, at a time when workers are facing protracted cost of living pressures.”
SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer.
As the Commission noted the lowest paid are disproportionately affected by the impact of inflation on non-discretionary items – food, rent and interest payments, for example.
The decision means that SDA members covered by awards and enterprise agreements will receive their mandated pay increases (as well as a tax cut) on July 1.
Contact: Jim Middleton 0418 627066
(Background – SDA membership of more than 200,000 is 60 percent female, disproportionately casual and part time workers)