The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) has delivered a landmark decision which provides for substantial increases in rates of pay for employees covered by the Queensland Community Services and Crisis Assistance Award – State 2008.

This decision does not affect organisations that are respondents to the SACS (Qld) or CASH (Qld) Awards.  However, where those Awards apply as Transitional Awards (for organisations which are not constitutional trading corporations), this decision may apply from March 2011, if current timetables in federal legislation are retained.

The decision is the outcome of an application by the Queensland Services Union (QSU) and was the subject of hearings beginning in the second half of 2008 and concluding in February 2009.  Jobs Australia was one of the employer organisations involved in the case.  Our submissions agreed with the union that there has been gender-based undervaluation of work in the sector, as well as a lack of capacity to bargain due to funding constraints.  We agreed that significant increases were warranted but did not agree with the exact amounts sought by the union.

In her decision, Cmr Fisher found that:

·         There has historically been an undervaluation of work in the community services sector and that this has been on a gender basis; and

·         There has been a lack of enterprise bargaining in the sector.

Accordingly, the QIRC determined that new rates should apply to reflect the current value of the work, consistent with Queensland’s Equal Remuneration Principles.  The new rates

·         “…compensate for historical undervaluation of work, recognise current work value and provide redress for the incapacity to bargain…” and

·         Incorporate a further Equal Remuneration Component (ERC) of 1% per annum for 2010 – 2015 in recognition of barriers to bargaining in the short term and to prevent erosion of work value due to any ongoing lack of bargaining.

The increases will be phased in with a first instalment of 6% from 13 July 2009. Further instalments apply each 6 months until July 2011 for most classifications and January 2012 for Level 8.  Queensland state wage case decisions will also apply in addition.

As an example, the 3 year degree entry level (Level 3.3) will increase from the current salary of $39,027 to $41,369 from 13 July 2009 and ultimately to $46,410 by 11 July 2011.  Smaller increases apply at lower levels, and larger increases apply for skilled workers at higher levels.

The full decision is attached below.

Jobs Australia has separately contacted members and subscribers who are directly affected by this decision.  For further information, contact Michael Pegg (on 1800 060 098 or mpegg@ja.com.au).

This decision has implications for the rest of nonprofit community services sector.  Jobs Australia will be working with QCOSS, other employer organisations and the unions in implementing this decision and seeking appropriate funding from Government.