A PAY increase of 1.75% for pharmacy employees covered in the Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 announced by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) is a positive result in the current climate, union group, Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) believes.
The union noted that the pay bump fell short of the 4% it had originally sought, however, "in the current economic and pandemic environment PPA believes that a 1.75% increase is probably better than expected".
The 1.75% increase is set to be implemented across industry awards, on a phased basis, with those that have experienced the biggest impact from the COVID-19 pandemic among the first to see their wages rise.
"The Pharmacy Industry Award is one of the first awards that the FWC has determined will have the increase apply from 01 Jul," the PPA said.
"So, unlike employees in many other industries you will receive your 1.75% increase in award minimum rates of pay on 01 Jul."
Other employees covered by industry awards will see the 1.75% pay increase implemented from 01 Nov or 01 Feb 2021, based on the impact of COVID-19 on their sector.
Under the decision full and part-time pharmacists hourly pay has increased to $29.93, or $37.41 for casuals, wages for experienced pharmacists (with at least four years full-time experience) has been set at a base hourly rate of $32.78 for full and part-time employees, while casuals must be paid at least $40.98 an hour.
A spokesperson for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia told Pharmacy Daily that it was reminding members whose employees are covered by the award to ensure they comply with the updated rates.
"[However] many pharmacies pay over the award," the spokesperson said.
The pay increase came as the latest round of penalty rate cuts came into effect yesterday, which has seen Sunday rates fall by 15% a year since 2017.
Under the revised Sun rates full and part-time pharmacy employees working between 7am and 9pm will be paid a penalty rate of 150% of their minimum hourly rate, a 15% decrease on the previous loading.
Casual employees will see Sun penalty rates fall from 190% between 01 Jul 2019 and 30 Jun to 175% from 01 Jul this year.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Jul 20
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