Unions Welcome Min Wage Protection

Date: 20 December 2002

The Queensland Council of Unions welcomed today's general ruling by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for a minimum wage covering all employees not under an existing award.

The ruling guarantees a minimum wage of $431.40 for a forty hour week.

"This is the first time that employees in unregulated industries will now have the protection of a minimum wage level," said QCU General Secretary Grace Grace.

"However we are disappointed that the minimum wage ruling applies to a 40 hour week, rather than a 38, which is the norm for most workers."

"Whilst we welcome the decision, we believe that workers should be covered by awards and we will be working hard to identify those areas outside of awards and ensure the appropriate award coverage."

For further information

Contact:	Gavin Sawford, Media/Communications Officer
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	(07) 3846 2468
Fax:	(07) 3844 4865
Email:	gavins@qcu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qcu.asn.au

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