Pay rise deal to pressure costs and jobs

The massive pay rise for construction workers that some big builders have agreed to give will add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost of Victorian public infrastructure if it flows throughout the building industry.

In these times when jobs are tight and families face ever rising costs of living, the last thing Victoria can afford is unsustainable pay rises that will cost jobs and make the cost of living even more expensive.

By giving huge pay rises to the unions who helped get it elected, the Andrews government has created expectations that now risk driving up costs across the Victorian economy.

We need construction industry wage deals to be affordable and sustainable, and with genuine work practice reforms that will lift productivity.

For the Herald Sun’s report, see Union deal to blow out build costs.  For The Age’s report, see Building workers to win hefty pay rises.