Wages rise (slightly)
August 16, 2010
A 1.8% increase in the base wage
for pharmacists has been marked
in the latest market rates
remuneration report, according to
the Pharmacists Division of
Association of Professional
Engineers, Scientists and Managers
Australia (APESMA).
Up from $37.52 to $38.20, the
wage rise was however noted to fall
below that of other science and
technical professional groups who
generally saw hikes between 3-4%.
In light of these figures, APESMA
has also reported a high volume of
calls to its information line from
pharmacists wishing to clarify the
provisions of the recently installed
Pharmacy Industry Award (in
particular the Transitional Provisions
which relate to wage and penalty
rates which began to change last
month).
“A number of callers have
indicated their employers are
misleading them by telling them
they are not covered by the Award
or they are not eligible for penalty
rate payments,” said Geoff March,
President of the PDA.
As such APESMA is warning
pharmacy owners that it will have
“no hesitation” in prosecuting
pharmacy owners who are not
providing the provisions of the
Pharmacy Industry Award to their
employee pharmacists.
“We are currently investigating a
couple of cases of Award breaches
on our member’s behalf,” he said.
APESMA is also urging
pharmacists who believe that they
are being underpaid to contact its
information line on 1300 273 762.
The union has also advised that
calls will be treated with
confidentiality.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 16 Aug 10To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 16 Aug 10
