Wages And Productivity Lost for No Gain

Media statement
Wednesday, May 4th, 2005

Wages And Productivity Lost for No Gain

The five per cent wage settlement over 15 months is effectively the same as the four per cent offer over 12 months made by employers at the outset of the wage negotiations, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

“It’s a pity the union ramped up industrial action at the cost to its members from going on strike, rather than accept the employers’ earlier offer,” said David Lowe, EMA’s Manager of Employment Relations Services.

“Employers too have lost productivity for nothing.

“We have to ask was all the publicity a stunt for the benefit of union members?

“Since the settlement has many varying wage increases depending on the business, it cannot be seen as any kind of a benchmark.

“We note in this way the union is acknowledging that ‘one size cannot fit all’ for wage settlements.”

ENDS

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