Fears of wages free-for-all as unions lodge pay claims over inflation rate

THERE were renewed fears of a wages free-for-all last night as unions lodged individual pay claims well in excess of the rate of inflation.

Unions representing tens of thousands of workers have already filed substantial claims since talks to secure a national pay deal collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

This raises fears the country will face a wave of bitter industrial disputes as unions and individual employers clash over wage claims.