Coates latest major employer to threaten terminating existing pay deal for hundreds of workers

Hundreds of workers at Australia’s largest equipment-hire business face a pay cut of up to 40 per cent unless they agree to let the company slash new employees’ wages and conditions, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Coates is the latest major employer to threaten terminating the existing pay deal via the Fair Work Commission unless workers agree to an offer that cuts their pay and conditions.

It’s part of a worrying trend where employers apply to tear up an EA and then, if successful, revert workers back to the minimum wage.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says this would mean a a base-rate fitter would go from $34.70 an hour to $20.61 an hour.

Read more in the Sydney Morning Herald