If we assume that the government only offers 3.25% pa with an operative date of 1 March 2008, a Grade 1 Year 7 scientist will lose $11,344.37 over the life of the agreement. (It will delay the next increase in 2011 by six months). This compares with the cost of losing a day’s pay due to industrial action of $214.68 (less tax). (The calculations are available on the member-only pages of the website and the losses over the life of the agreement will be higher for members above Grade 1.) [login first]

Clearly, the fight is worth it.

Another problem with accepting a lower outcome now is that the effect compounds over the life of the agreement, and then continues to compound into the future.