Australia Post wages to rise by 6.1% under landmark Union inflation-busting deal
As members are well aware, off the back of a faster than expected economic rebound – inflation is soaring.
When we wrapped up EBA10 negotiations last year, members overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Agreement – breaking records in both voter participation and levels of support. And for good reason –EBA10 locked up important job security provisions, introduced new allowances and carved out the process to dismantle ADM.
All this whilst delivering a market-leading 3% per annum wage rise – the highest public sector wage rise seen in years and double that of the Australian average.
At the time of voting, the nation’s leading economists had predicted inflation to rise to 1.75% by the end of 2021 – and to peak at 2.5% by the first quarter of 2023.
Members had overwhelmingly supported their EBA in good faith, expecting that the agreed wage increases would ensure their families’ economic positions would not worsen – but improve.
Moreso, members had campaigned hard for a fitting economic reward off the back of working through some of their most trying times, during the worst pandemic our world had seen in one hundred years.
However, by November, inflation had already hit 2.75%. As economists scrambled to adjust their forecasting, the Union sought urgent discussions with Australia Post around wages. Particularly, the Union was seeking a solution that ensured members and their families would not be sent backwards.
To Australia Post’s credit, negotiations were quick and fruitful and an additional commitment was quickly secured.
Specifically, this new commitment ensured that EBA10 wage rises would increase by CPI, or the 3% provided by the Agreement – whichever was greater in the current quarter.
Today’s official quarterly announcement saw the CPI rate jump to 6.1%.
In accordance with the agreement reached between the Union and Australia Post last year, the scheduled wage movement payable under EBA10 in the first pay period of September will see an increase of 6.1%.
This important outcome guarantees that members will not be left behind being unable to keep up with the cost of living, as inflation soars.
This was an incredible outcome to be reached outside the bargaining period and one which would certainly not have been secured without the strong density of our Union’s membership across Australia Post.
It is important that we continue to grow in strength at Australia Post, to continue delivering the best possible outcomes for our members and their families.
Each and every member is critical to maintaining, and building, the strength of our Union at Australia Post.
If you work with somebody who is not yet a CEPU/CWU member, ask them to join today.
