Latest news with #SallyMcManus
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Australia news live: union chief says minimum wage still not ‘livable' despite yesterday's rise; Victorian police hunt dancing burglar
Update: Date: 2025-06-03T21:36:27.000Z Title: Trade union says even with 3.5% rise, new minimum wage still not 'livable' Content: Sally McManus, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, said the body still believes there's 'more catch-up to do' for lower-wage workers after it announced a 3.5% increase to the minimum wage yesterday. While the new rate will be $24.95 an hour, she said for a full-time worker it's still 'not enough to live on'. McManus told Radio National Breakfast: I think it's a good outcome. We always wanted one that was more than inflation. … Minimum wages actually have gone backwards over the last couple of years because of that inflation spike. And that's also what small business owners have got to think about, too. Their workers have gone backwards in real terms, and if they don't start to catch up now, when are they going to catch up? She also addressed criticism that small businesses would struggle to absorb the costs associated with a higher minimum wage, saying critics predict closures every year that don't take place. Over the last four years, businesses between one and 19 staff grew by 108,000 or 13%. For those over 20 [people], they grew even faster by 36%. So they don't come back and say, oh, sorry, we were wrong. Update: Date: 2025-06-03T21:26:49.000Z Title: Good morning Content: , and happy Wednesday. Nick Visser here to take you through the day's breaking news. Let's get started: Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, defended the decision to raise the minimum wage by 3.5% yesterday. She said even with the increase to $24.95 an hour, real wages had gone backwards in recent years and 'if they don't start to catch up now, when are they going to?'. She points out the minimum wage is still not enough for most people to live on. Police in Victoria are appealing for information to identify a dancing thief who was 'feeling the groove' before he allegedly stole laptops from a local school. Officials released video footage of a man 'dancing, spinning and jumping' and hope the clip will assist in their inquiries. We'll also be sharing updates on Labor's plans to change taxes on large superannuation balances, the ongoing fallout over Senator Dorinda Cox's defection from the Greens and we could have results from the seat of Bradfield today, which is finalising a recount. Stick with us.
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Fair Work Commission to decide how much minimum wages will rise
Isabella Higgins: Australia's three million lowest paid workers will soon find out how much their pay packets will rise this year. The Fair Work Commission is set to determine the increase to minimum and award wages today. Many are looking for reprieve from the mounting cost of living, but business and employer groups warn too large a lift risks fuelling inflation. Political reporter Nicole Hegarty has more from Parliament House. Nicole Hegarty: For Australia's lowest paid, every dollar counts. Sally McManus: When you're a minimum wage worker it's all essential. So you don't save money, you survive. Nicole Hegarty: And with the cost of living biting, that's truer than ever. Sally McManus is the Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The Fair Work Commission is set to reveal how much minimum and award wages will increase from July. The ACTU is asking for a 4.5% increase. Sally McManus: The Fair Work Commission didn't order enough for these workers to be able to keep the same position they were back in 2019. So part of our claim is catch up claim. Nicole Hegarty: But businesses and employers are also under pressure as rents rise and consumers tighten their belts. The Australian Retailers Association is recommending an increase of no more than 2.5% on top of the 0.5% superannuation guarantee increase. In its submission it argues for an equitable and modest increase to the minimum wage that helps households without increasing business costs beyond what is needed to ensure wages keep pace with higher prices. Cost of living dominated the election campaign and the re-elected Albanese government is now asking for an economically sustainable real wage increase for the almost 3 million Australians on minimum and award wages. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says that can be achieved without pushing up inflation. Jim Chalmers: The submission that we take reflects all of our economic objectives and primarily making sure that when people work hard they can get ahead. Nicole Hegarty: It's a position employer groups have challenged. The Retailers Association warning in its submission additional wage pressure risks fuelling renewed price pressures and undermining economic progress. Chris Wright is a professor of work and labour market policy at the University of Sydney and says the international evidence is that there is room for an increase. Chris Wright: The OECD has identified that there is scope for wage increases, especially for the lowest paid to occur without there being inflationary pressures of any significant scale. Nicole Hegarty: And as the conversation turns to how to address Australia's productivity problem, Professor Wright says a wage rise may have a positive impact. Chris Wright: Workers who feel like they're being paid fairly are more likely to be productive in their jobs and they're more likely to stay in their jobs. Nicole Hegarty: The Workplace Relations umpire has historically decided on increases that fall somewhere between the demands of business and unions. And along with workers who rely on the wages at the heart of this decision, they'll find out soon how much pay packets will grow as of July. Isabella Higgins: Nicole Hegarty there.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pay rise coming for millions of Aussie workers in weeks: '$948 a week'
Millions of Australian workers will automatically receive a pay rise when minimum and award wages increase from July 1. The Fair Work Commission has announced an increase of 3.5 per cent The decision means that the national minimum wage will be $24.95 an hour, or about $948 a week, based on a 38-hour week. That's up from $24.10 an hour, which is $915.90 per week. About 2.9 million workers will be impacted by the commission's review, or 25 per cent of all Australian workers. RELATED Superannuation change to give Aussie workers pay rise in weeks: '$29,000 boost' Tradie reveals surprising industry where he makes '$300,000 to a million' a year Right to disconnect warning as worker sues former employer for $800,000 The 3.5 per cent increase has fallen short of what the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) had been calling for at 4.5 per cent, but is higher than what industry groups wanted at around 2.5 per cent. The Albanese government had called for an increase above inflation. The Consumer Price Index is currently 2.4 per cent, however, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) predicts prices will rise by 3.1 per cent over the year to June 2026. ACTU national secretary Sally McManus said it was essential for the country's lowest paid workers to receive a pay rise above inflation. "It's about whether you can keep up with your bills or not, it's whether or not your life gets slightly better, whether it stays the same or whether it goes backwards. It's everything,' she said. "When you're on those wages, you're not saving money. Everything you earn, you spend." The Commission handed down a 3.75 per cent wage increase last year. Economists will be keeping a close eye on the decision and whether it could impact the RBA's interest rate decision. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said a 3.5 per cent increase, which is midway between union and employer demands, would give workers as "real wage rise" "[But] it's not so high as to add to the risk of a wage price spiral and it's around current wages growth," he said. Australian workers will also be getting an automatic boost to their retirement savings when compulsory superannuation payments increase on July 1. The super guarantee rate will increase from 11.5 to 12 per cent. This is the final legislated increase to the rate. According to the Super Members Council, the typical retirement balance is now projected to reach $500,000 in 30 years. 'This increase to people's super is a powerful step forward for Australians' financial futures. But too many people don't yet know it's happening,' Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert said. The group has urged Aussies to use the July 1 change as a prompt to log in and check their super, update their details, and consider whether they are on track to meet their retirement goals. 'July's savings boost is a great reminder that your future is worth investing in,' Schubert said. 'A few small steps today can mean a much more secure tomorrow.' with AAPError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Millions of Aussies set to receive a wage boost - what you need to know
Having worked as a delivery driver at Pizza Hut, as a cleaner, in a newsagency and at a call centre, Sally McManus used to depend on an award wage. Now, the 53-year-old firebrand leading Australia's top union body is calling for a 4.5 per cent pay rise for nearly 3 million workers who live pay-to-pay on an industry award or minimum wage. The Fair Work Commission will on Tuesday release its annual wage review decision. Ms McManus says it's essential the nation's lowest-paid workers receive a pay rise above inflation. 'It's about whether you can keep up with your bills or not, it's whether or not your life gets slightly better, whether it stays the same or whether it goes backwards. It's everything,' she tells AAP. 'When you're on those wages, you're not saving money. Everything you earn, you spend.' In its submission to the commission's review, the Australian Council of Trade Union argues the industrial umpire must deliver a pay bump substantially higher than the inflation rate to address years of workers falling back in real terms. Ms McManus says this won't be to the detriment of the broader economy. While the consumer price index is at 2.4 per cent, the Reserve Bank predicts prices will rise by 3.1 per cent over the year to June 2026 - the period covered by the wage decision - as government energy subsidies wind up. Productivity growth in the sectors that dominate industry award coverage, such as hospitality and retail, is up 1.2 per cent, allowing extra value to be passed onto workers, Ms McManus argues. And that extra 0.2 per cent? Catch-up for wages growth falling significantly below soaring inflation since 2019. 'The commission previously has said, 'yes, these workers need to catch up, we've just got to wait for the right time'. We say now is the right time,' Ms McManus says. A wage rise of 4.5 per cent would be a sizeable advance on the 3.75 per cent increase the commission handed down last year. Employer groups warn businesses are struggling to get by and a pay rise of that scale, on top of a legislated increase to mandatory superannuation contributions coming into effect, would force many to lay off staff or shut their doors. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, which represents smaller employers like cafes and restaurants that are particularly sensitive to changes in award wages, has argued for a rise of 2-2.5 per cent. Anything more 'would place unsustainable pressure on small businesses, potentially leading to reduced employment opportunities, business closures, and broader economic harm,' the council argued in its submission. But Ms McManus says businesses are struggling because consumers aren't spending enough money, not because wages are too high. A real pay rise for low-paid workers would boost their disposable incomes and revenues for businesses that depend on their money coming through the till, she says. The federal government has split the difference and called for a 'sustainable' wage rise above inflation that would not harm the economy, without nominating an exact figure. Economists will be watching the decision closely in the context of the Reserve Bank's interest rate rhetoric. An increase substantially higher than expected could cause the central bank to re-think its forecast for wages growth, given the breadth of workers covered by awards. An increase of 3.5 per cent - about midway between union and employer demands - would give workers a real wage rise, but not so high as to add to the risk of a wage price spiral, says AMP chief economist Shane Oliver.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Fair Work Commission to hand down Annual Wage Review, Aussies on minimum wage to get pay bump
Australians on the minimum wage are set to receive a pay increase on Tuesday, with Australia's top union boss urging the body to boost annual full time pay by $2143. An expert panel will hand down the decision in Sydney at 10am on Tuesday. While the Albanese government has called for the independent arbitrator to provide an increase above inflation, currently at 2.4 per cent, the ACTU is lobbying for a much higher boost of 4.5 per cent. For about 2.6 million Aussies on the minimum wage that would hike their hourly wage to $25.18 per hour, lifting the packet for an annual full-time worker by $2143 to $49,770. The changes will come into effect from July 1. ACTU national secretary Sally McManus said low paid workers had 'gone backwards' after years of high inflation and high interest rates. She said any wage increase below 2.4 per cent would be 'manifestly wrong and unfair,' and the new rate should allow people to 'get ahead and catch up'. 'The Fair Work Commission couldn't award increases that kept up with inflation when inflation spiked, but they did say that people needed to catch up, and it was just a matter of working out when things are more stable and favourable,' she told NewsWire. 'We say they're more favourable now. 'All of those businesses got through that period of time by putting up their prices … but workers can't adjust their pay like they these low paid workers are dependent on this (once-a-year) decision.' Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has previously called for 'an economically responsible real wage increase' while stating that the 'setting of the minimum wage is a matter for the Fair Work Commission'. 'We do need to consider the economic conditions, but we also believe that in those economic conditions, workers deserve a real wage increase,' she said in May. Currently, the minimum wage is $24.10 per hour, which equates to $915.90 or an annual full-time salary of $47,627.06.
