The Health Services Union has welcomed the 15% pay rise awarded to parts of the aged care workforce, but says a larger and broader increase is critical.
The Union says a 25% increase is only fair and reasonable as the crisis in the sector continues.
Speaking to myGC, HSU National President Gerard Hayes says this is a significant move, but there’s more to do.
“We see people now on $21-22 an hour part-time work, working two and three jobs so it’s been screaming out for a long time to be able to get fairness and equity,” Mr Hayes says.
“But we’re also seeing the world workforce crisis so competition for jobs and employees is getting bigger every day,
“If we can’t address this and make it attractive that people will stay in the industry and be attracted to the industry the aged care recipients in Australia will suffer going forward.”
HSU says a 25% wage increase is not too much to ask for in the undervalued, heavily feminised industry.
“The vast majority of people working in aged care and women, their average superannuation balance is about $18,000. They’ve been left behind for a long time,
“So this isn’t making huge steps forward, but it is making sure that there is equity within the industry and within the system generally.”
As for the Gold Coast, Mr Hayes says it’s specifically critical something is done before it’s too late – with thousands of people retiring to the beachside city.
“When people retire in their 60s, that’s one thing, but they’ll move into their 80s so that means you’ve got to have adequate aged care.
“And that number is going to multiply consistently over the next two to three decades so it’s going to be very important that the Gold Coast can get a handle on this, as every other part of Australia needs to. ”
The Union feel confident that this further increase will go through if all things go well on their second and third submission to the Fair Work Commission and hope it’s seen to by January next year.
The 15% wage increase primarily covers patient care workers, such as nurses, but the Union also wants workers in food services and admin to benefit.
Aged care workers that are benefitting from the 15% increase should start to see this impact their pay checks in the next 3-4 weeks.
