Australian Netballers Go Through Workers Union To Fight For Pay Increase

Australia's world champion netballers "are 'up for a fight' and ready to take industrial action in a pay dispute with Netball Australia" if talks fail, according to the AAP. The players' union "is to meet with NA on Friday in the latest attempt to negotiate a new deal." The Diamonds "have taken the dispute to Fair Work Australia through the Australian Workers Union, with players asking for an increase" from A$200 ($208) to A$400 per day of national team duty. The union said that "on average, players spend 50 contact days with the Australian team a year, earning them an income of around" A$10,000. The increase would see that doubled to A$20,000. Netball Australia said that it has offered players a 20% pay increase, but the union said that "players won't accept that offer" (AAP, 4/4).