The "Your Rights at Work" team is on location in Melbourne for the Equal Pay Day of Action.
Women doing the same job as men are supposed to be paid the same by law. However, many women still find themselves underpaid and too often miss out on the best jobs, resulting in a 17% gender pay gap.
Equal Pay Day of Action Resolution
Today we gather as workers in community services.
We acknowledge the support of the many community supporters and employers, many of whom are with us today.
For too long our nation has paid lip service to equal pay.
It is unacceptable that in 2010 women earn on average 18% less than men.
For too long we have continued to undervalue work done by women, care work, the work of empowering the marginalised and disadvantaged.
This must end.
For too long we have allowed governments of all political persuasions to get away with exploiting workers in the non-government sector by paying them lower wages than staff in the public sector for doing the same work.
This must end.
Today, we resolve to fight like never before to end these inequities and injustices.
We will continue to organise and activate in workplaces around this campaign.
We place all political parties on notice that we will campaign for as long as it takes to get them to commit to fully fund equal pay for work of equal value
Finally, we resolve to call for a further National Day of Action of all community workers on November 19th unless our demands are met.
We direct our delegates and our elected representatives to meet with the government and with other political parties to secure the commitments that we are demanding. Unless our demands have been met, we will implement our plans for a further National Political Protest.