NURSES who are worried about being hit with pay cuts because of new workplace laws can take action to protect their take-home pay, Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) says the new Fair Work system will result in steep pay cuts of up to $300 a week for nurses, including aged-care nurses in NSW and Queensland.
"What I can certainly guarantee is that there is an ability for anybody who thinks that they've got a problem with the new system to get a take-home pay order to maintain their take-home pay," Ms Gillard told the Nine Network today.
"Any aged care nurse who has got a concern can talk to Fair Work Australia, talk to their union and if they feel they have a legitimate concern can approach Fair Work Australia for a take-home pay order.
"It means that they would have a legal order that maintains their take-home pay. That means that they can't lose money."
Ms Gillard said the nurses award would make sure first year nurses were paid more in the other states.
She said the new system was simpler and rejected claims by the Retailers Association the laws will make it harder and more costly for small businesses, and could lead to the loss of 3000 retail jobs from Australia's eastern states.
"But overall, if we look at the Fair Work Act, the new system of laws that we've got, it's better rights and protections for employees," she said.
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