AWU defends $170,000 CityLink salary

The workers’ union has defended a deal that sees some workers on the CityLink upgrade earning around $170,000 a year.

The deal comes after a 5% pay rise came into play, and there are concerns it could lift the cost of future infrastructure projects.

AWU Secretary Ben Davis told Neil Mitchell the workers will earn their pay with a 56-hour week.

‘It’s between $34 and $42 per hour, which I wouldn’t have though is excessive,’ Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said there needed to be consideration that construction workers often work irregular or unpopular hours, like night time or public holidays.

‘That’s a safety point as well as a productivity point,’ he said.

Neil remained unconvinced that the salary was appropriate, but concluded that Mr Davis was just doing his job.

‘To be fair to him, it’s his job to get the best possible deal for his members,’ he said.

Click play to hear the full discussion

 

Given that it’s a road project, you need people at certain times of the year, particularly long weekends and public holidays when there’s not much other traffic around –