State Wage Case 2008 [2008] NSWIRComm 122

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION: State Wage Case 2008 [2008] NSWIRComm 122

Australian Business Industrial Australian Federation of Employers and Industries Australian Hotels Association (NSW) Australian Industry Group (NSW) Australian Retailers Association (NSW) PARTIES: Catholic Commission for Employment Relations Director of Public Employment Furnishing Industry Association of Australia Limited Minister for Industrial Relations Local Government and Shires Association of New South Wales Unions NSW

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 103 of 2008

CORAM: Boland J President; Walton J Vice-President; Harrison DP; Staff J; Tabbaa C; Murphy C

CATCHWORDS: State Wage Case - Application by State peak council for employees for a State decision setting general wage-fixing principles - Claim for increase in minimum award wages and allowances of 4.5 per cent - Claim by Catholic Commission for Employment Relations for minimum wage to apply to employees not covered by an industrial instrument - The Australian economy - The New South Wales economy - Low paid workers - The wage environment - Impact of the claim - Whether Commission should grant minimum wage as claimed by Catholic Commission for Employment Relations - Whether flat or percentage increase - Increase of 4.0 per cent in minimum award wages and allowances granted - Increase of 4.0 per cent in Award Review Classification Rate granted - Minimum wage established at same level as Award Review Classification Rate - Liberty to apply for any person affected by introduction of Minimum wage - Wage fixing principles amended - Orders made.