SAFETY NET INCREASES   The Federal Meat Industry (Processing) Award 2000 has been varied to include the $17 increase awarded by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.   This award applies to all meat processing establishments (other than retail, wholesale and supermarket outlets) in Victoria and to all employers who are members of the Australian Meat Industry Council, whether in Victoria or not.   These increases only apply to employees who work to the terms of the award.  The increases do not apply to employees whose wages are regulated by a certified agreement.  Employees who work to the award and are receiving "over award" payments may not receive the increases also.   Any AMIEU member with queries about the wage increases to the award should contact the AMIEU Branch where you are employed.   The new wage rates and allowances will operate from 5 August 2005 are as follows:-   Employee classification level Award rate per week $ Level 6 578.20 Level 5 551.60 Level 4 538.30 Level 3 527.00 Level 2 512.20 Level 1 484.40     Level 6 - This is the tradesperson rate that applies only to a slaughterer with tradesperson qualifications or general butcher with tradesperson qualifications.   Level 5 - This rate applies to an employee who performs the task of a Class 1 slaughterer, a solo slaughterer, bed and cradle slaughterer, boner, grader, skin classer.   Level 4 - This rate applies to an employee who performs the task of a Class 2 slaughterer, slicer, and an operator of rendering machinery or sawyer.   Level 3 - This rate applies to an employee who performs the task of a Class 3 slaughterer, a boning room trimmer and a boning room employee using a knife for cleaning or preparing meat immediately prior to packing.   Level 2 - This rate applies to all others apart from a Level 1 employee   Level 1 -  This rate will apply to an employee who is new to the industry and who is undergoing on the job training for an initial trial period of at least three months.   Leading Hand Allowances: Supervising more than 3 employees but less than 10 employees- $9.10 per week.   Supervising more than 10 employees: $13.56 per week.   Cold Temperature Allowances: Temperature range (Celsius scale)                                       Rate per hour Below zero but not below -16 degrees                          38 cents Below -16 degrees but not below -18 degrees              66 cents Below -18 degrees but not below -21 degrees              94 cents Below -21 degrees                                                                   $1.27   First Aid Allowance: $2.20 per day.   Award wage increases are a good example of the benefits of Union membership.  National wage cases are hard fought battles, with employers and the federal government throwing everything into showing a case why workers should not receive a wage increase.  It has only been the well run and argued Union case that has resulted in awards being increased by $112 since 1999.   Members should be aware- this may be the last wage increases as we know it.  Mr. Howard has announced plans to scrap the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's powers to award wage increases and hand it to a "Fair Pay Commission".  Mr. Howard isn't happy with the award increases that have been granted and is obviously trying to reduce them by setting up an anti-worker, right wing employer sympathetic alternative to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.    GRAHAM BIRD Secretary AMIEU Victorian Branch