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WATCH OUT FOR YOUR WAGES! DON?T LET HOWARD?S AWAs CUT YOUR PAY



Howard's biggest workplace rip-off is the AWA (Australian Workplace Agreement). AWAs rob workers of their conditions and take-home pay.
For wage earners, AWAs are workplace robbery. It is the Government's way of helping the boss cut your pay. Howard aims to cut back Australian wages. AWAs are now being pushed by greedy bosses in our industries - so watch out. If your boss starts talking about an AWA, then call the Union. Don't delay.

The only way to protect your pay and conditions is with a Union-negotiated EBA.

WATCH OUT FOR YOUR WAGES! DON'T LET HOWARD'S AWAs CUT YOUR PAY THE TRUTH ABOUT AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS (AWAs)
Labor Senator Gavin Marshall recently wrote to the Union with details of evidence presented to a hearing of the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee by the Office of Employment Advocate (OEA).
Between 27 March and 31 April 2006, 6265 AWAs were lodged with the OEA. Of those AWAs:


  • 100% removed at least one 'protected' award condition
  • 16% removed all 'protected' award conditions
  • 64% removed annual leave loading
  • 63% removed all penalty rates
  • 52% removed loadings for shift work
  • Only 59% retained declared public holidays
  • 22% did not provide for any wage increase for the life of the AWA
  • 14% applying to casual workers provided for a casuals' loading less than the legal minimum i.e. less than 20%.


As you can see from the Government's own evidence, AWAs have been designed to remove hard-won conditions of employment and reduce workers' standard of living. It's a lot easier for bosses to do this when they are negotiating with workers one-on-one rather than with a collective.

Don't be conned! If you are confronted with an AWA, don't sign. Ring the Union first!

How a boss tried to rip off Carol with an AWA

Carol had been working for 10 years for a well-known bedding company when her boss tried to force AWAs on the whole workforce.

When Carol looked at her boss's AWA contract, it was clear to her that this individual contract would:

  • reduce her entitlements
  • remove her overtime and penalty rates
  • wind back conditions
  • removed her right to be represented by a union.

Carol could not believe it - she felt like the workers there were being robbed of their work rights by their boss. She refused to sign the agreement and contacted the Union.
The Union was able to negotiate a far better deal for Carol. 'Workers should not have to sit back and be robbed by Howard's AWA deals. You should not sign - you should call the Union first,' said Carol. Just like Carol, all workers in the furniture, carpet and glass industries should stand up and reject AWAs. By sticking with the Union, you can fight for decent wages and avoid the workplace robbery of AWAs.