Pay and conditions

Pay and conditions are the two main industrial rights of all Australian workers. These may be outlined in one, or a combination, of these three main legal documents: Awards, Collective Agreements, Individual contracts.

United Voice members are entitled to free advice on awards, agreements and contracts. Contact your delegate or organiser for this valuable information.

Awards

Your award protects you at work. Awards are legal documents that set out the minimum pay and conditions for you and your workmates on an industry or workplace basis. It is illegal for employers to undercut your award, by not paying you correctly or denying your entitlements. You might work under an enterprise agreement, but this is still influenced by award standards.

Awards include minimum conditions such as:

Pay and wage rates
Overtime rates
Rostered days off
Sick, family and holiday leave
Health and safety at work
Right to union representation if you want it
Clothing and other allowances
Minimum rostered hours for part-timers
Loadings for casual workers

Want to know about your award?

United Voice members can get free information and advice on their correct pay and conditions.

If you are a member and want to know more about the pay and conditions you are entitled to, talk to you union delegate or branch.

Find out more

Australian Industrial Relations Commission
Australian Workplace Authority

Collective Agreements

Many Australian workers are covered by a Collective Agreement or Enterprise Agreement. Generally, Collective Agreements apply to the employees of a particular company.

The best collective agreements build on an award to provide better pay and conditions in your workplace. It is negotiated between employers and the union (or employees) in each workplace, and lasts for a fixed term.

For a Collective Agreement to apply to your workplace, it must be voted for by a majority of workers and lodged with the Employment Advocate.

For the best deal in negotiating your agreement, it is important that you and your workmates get active in the union. You are better off negotiating through the union, than trying to do it alone.

As soon as you hear about new negotiations on a Collective Agreement in your workplace, contact your union delegate or branch.

Want to know about your agreement?

United Voice members can get free information and advice on their correct pay and conditions. If you are a member and want to know more about the pay and conditions you are entitled to, talk to your union delegate or branch.

Find out more

Australian Industrial Relations Commission
Australian Workplace Authority

Individual contracts

Individual agreements known as Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) or Individual Transitional Employment Agreements (ITEAs) are agreements between an employer and an individual employee.

United Voice opposes such agreements because an individual is in an inherently weaker bargaining position than a collective. When workers negotiate alone, they never have as much power as the boss. Often individual agreements impose longer and less predictable hours with no penalty rates.

What if you are asked to sign?

AWAs are no longer able to be made, however an employer can ask you to sign an ITEA up until the end of 2009. If your employer tries to make you sign an ITEA, it is important that you contact your union straight away. Speak to your union delegate or branch.

United Voice