ACTU welcomes Fair Work Commission decision on pay rises for apprentices "A great outcome for current and future apprentices": ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver. "This will sap employer confidence in the apprenticeship systemeter" Peter Anderson, ACCI Chief Executive. THE unions have won a massive pre-election victory after the industrial umpire gifted apprentice tradies generous pay rises of up to $100 a week. In a big win for young tradies, first and second-year apprentices were awarded pay rises that would see weekly wages rise by around 30 per cent, with some first year apprentices to see their wages go from $298 to $398. The increases are particularly generous for apprentices who start their trades at age 21 or above - reflecting the trend towards older people being employed as carpenters, electricians, boilermakers and other trades. The decision by the Fair Work Commission is a major win for the unions and comes just weeks before an election that is expected to see a change of government - with the Coalition almost certain to take on the union movement. The ACTU and the Rudd government had supported an increase in apprentice wages amid concerns that the current wage schedules were insufficient to support many young people. But the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned the big pay rise will "sap employer confidence" at a time when unemployment is forecast to rise to 6.25 per cent from the present 5.7 per cent. ACTU secretary Dave Oliver hailed the wages decision as a "great outcome for current and future apprentices and for the broader economy." "Current wages see apprentices barely able to meet living costs; they are considerably less than other job options and barely more than the Newstart allowance," Mr Oliver said. There is also little recognition of the needs of adult apprentices. Today's decision is a real step forward. ACCI chief executive Peter Anderson said the decision showed that the "IR system is a law unto itself." This will sap employer confidence in the apprenticeship system. Australians wanting to tackle youth unemployment should view this decision with grave concern," he said. The industrial relations tail has wagged the apprenticeship dog. With an election a fortnight away, the Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten was cautious in his response. "Federal Labor wants to see apprentices and trainees supported so they can grow into our skilled workforce of the future," Mr Shorten said. We will consider the detail of the Commission's decision before commenting specifically. The Opposition was also wary of rushing to judgment. This matter is rightly one for the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission. We have the independent umpire to consider these matters in detail and to reach a decision balancing all of the considerations," the Opposition's workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said. While I'm sure that some stakeholders will be concerned the decision didn't go far enough or went too far, I am sure that they accept the decision of the umpire. Parties are always welcome to appeal or to make future applications to the Commission on these matters," Senator Abetz said.