Union News

Unions are concerned that whilst awareness of the growing pay differential between men and women in Australia is on the rise, people aren’t aware of the severity of the problem.

“I challenge anybody out there to consider taking an 18% pay cut and say that it isn’t significant."

“The gap between men and women’s pay is at 18% and is growing worse by the year. We need to work together as a community to solve this” said Mark Lennon, Secretary of Unions NSW.

Unions NSW is working to highlight the following facts to the community and its members:

• The gender pay gap has increased in the past year from 17% in 2009 to 18% in 2010.

• Assuming the current pay gap isn’t corrected the average 25 year old woman will be $900,000 worse off at 65 than their male counterpart.

• The projected average superannuation payout to a woman in 2010-11 is $150,000 - half of the average payout projected for men.

• At the current pay gap women would have to work an additional 66 days a year to earn the same amount as men.

• The problem isn’t limited to older women. On average female university graduates in their first job earn $2000 a year less than male graduates.

“This isn’t just a problem for women; it’s a problem for all of us.”

“The fact that women are earning significantly less than men in an advanced economy such as Australia’s is of great concern. The fact that this problem is getting worse is of even greater concern.” Said Mr Lennon.

Unions led by the Australian Services Union and supported by Unions NSW and the ACTU have launched a national test case to secure fairer pay rates for social and community sector workers who look after the homeless, the disabled, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in society.

“Unions will continue to work hard to reduce the gender pay gap by running cases through the legal process and by educating the community at large” said Mr Lennon.