Annie Butler, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF), which is seeking higher wages for aged care nurses based on work value reasons, said the Fair Work Commission's (FWC) decision should not be based on "capacity to pay".
On Monday, we reported the Government has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission, cautioning further wages rises for aged care workers from the Work Value case could have a "broader impact" on wages in other sectors. The Government also asked to be consulted on the timing of further wage rises.
"The Commonwealth is free to make clear some of its opinions," Annie told The SOURCE. "Each party gets to make submissions and provide their evidence to the Fair Work Commission, and then they, as the independent umpire, it's their job to make the determination."
"The case we are presenting is one that is seeking increases and improvements to classification structures based on work value reasons. So it's not about, for us, capacity to pay - this is about valuing the work that is being done across the aged care sector."
In September 2023, the ANMF sought to increase nurses' wages in line with the Metal Workers Award, which is often used as a wages benchmark. The application would mean an additional 35% increase in wages.
When asked if she was concerned the Government's submission could temper further wage rises for aged care workers, Annie said, "I do think that the Fair Work Commission will act truly independently, and it will act on the evidence that is before it."
The FWC will hold hearings in December to consider pay rises for indirect care workers, which were part of the original applications but left out of the 15% wage rise for direct care workers announced in November 2022.
