The case alleges that the fact that community sector workers are massively underpaid for the work they do – working for as little as $18 an hour – constitutes gender discrimination.

As the article notes, the federal government hasn’t fully supported the union claim, arguing in a submission to Fair Work Australia last year that it can’t afford to pay community sector workers fairly without blowing out the budget.  Following a union outcry, the Workplace Minister Chris Bowen issued a letter which clarified the government’s stance on the case.

The tribunal won’t make it’s final decision for a number of months, so stay tuned!

Community Jobs is sponsored by EthicalJobs.com.au, a job-search site for community jobs, environmental jobs and non-profit jobs around Australia.

A report in The Age calculated that the commitment “could mean an extra $1900 a year on average for 26,000 social workers and community service workers, many of them women.”

The announcement follows an application lodged in March by community sector workers and unions at the Fair Work Australia tribunal for equal pay for community sector workers, most of whom are women.

The Brumby government’s decision is to back Fair Work Australia’s decision in the case, and to commit $50 million in extra funding for community organisations like Wesley Mission, Yooralla, Melbourne City Mission and Scope.

“A strong economy is not an end in itself. Our Government is determined to fairly share the proceeds of our strong economy,” Mr Brumby said.

The support was matched by the opposition Liberal party, meaning it will take effect whoever wins the state election in November.

Congratulations to all those who marched for pay equity in Melbourne earlier in the month, and to the unions and other community organisations that have run and supported the pay equity campaign!

Community Jobs is sponsored by EthicalJobs.com.au, a job-search site for community jobs, environmental jobs and non-profit jobs around Australia.

Incredibly, on average Australian women are paid 17 per cent less than men. The pay gap is so big that on average women have to work 63 days more a year just to earn the same income!

In 2010, Unions led by the ASU and supported by the ACTU and the Federal Government are lodging a test case in Fair Work Australia using the new Equal Remuneration Laws embedded in the Fair Work Act. The case will impact the working lives of about 200,000 community workers.

The Community Sector is largely reliant on Government funding to run its essential services and to pay the wages of the workers. Winning the case will prove that these workers are undervalued – but, the case outcome alone will not correct the injustice. Workers need the Government to fund the outcome of the case to make Equal Pay a reality.

You can take action in two ways:

1. First (and easiest), visit www.payup.org.au where you can take a minute to send a virtual “kiss” to Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, demanding that the federal government take action on this urgent issue.
2. Second, on June 10, a national day of action will be held on this issue.  Thousands of Equal Pay supporters will gather across the country at 11am.  You should be one of them!  Find your nearest event:

SYDNEY
Town Hall, George Street, Sydney

BRISBANE
Emma Miller Place, Roma Street Parklands

MELBOURNE
Federation Square, opposite, Flinders St Station

PERTH
Solidarity Park, opposite, Parliament House

CANBERRA
Outside Legislative Assembly, London Circuit, Civic

ADELAIDE Pioneer Women’s Memorial Gardens, behind Government House

DARWIN
Rain Tree Park, Smith Street Mall

This case is set to make history!

Community Jobs is sponsored by EthicalJobs.com.au, a job-search site for community jobs, environmental jobs and non-profit jobs around Australia.

Community Jobs is sponsored by EthicalJobs.com.au, a job-search site for community jobs, environmental jobs and non-profit jobs around Australia.