Today the Fair Work Commission handed down its National Wage Case decision to increase Award rates by 4.6% or $40 – whichever is the greater. This means for workers paid on the Award, your rates will increase from 1 July.

Here are the new Award rates:

This is massive. It proves that workers and their livelihoods are front and centre, thanks in part to HSU members in aged care who continued to highlight just how low wages are for the incredible work you do.

It also proves that when you have a government prepared to back workers, things change. This government has already committed to supporting our Work Value Case pushing for 25%, and we should look at today’s decision with hope.

In practical terms, most aged care workers are employed under agreements and today’s increases won’t automatically flow to your wages.

This isn’t good enough. For many members, the right to bargain was taken away during COVID and employers have been reluctant to restart the process. Well – it’s time.

But we will need to draw on our collective strength and to support each other, which is something aged care workers do best.

To determine our next steps, I’m calling a members’ meeting for:

• Tuesday 21 June at 12 noon and 6pm (you only need to attend one meeting)
• Join online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88246667556
• Or dial 02 8015 6011 (Meeting ID: 882 4666 7556)

Please send these details to your colleagues who might not be in the Union yet. Invite them to see what it’s like to be an HSU member.