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Winter 2002

Close On-call Sleepover

HACSU members have started a major campaign to win improved conditions on sleepover shifts within disability services.

This follows a Statewide survey showing chronic disaffection with a range of present conditions and arrangements.

HACSU members will campaign for an indexed $100 sleepover shift payment (up from the pitiful $20 payment some members receive), a better definition of disturbance, and improved sleeping quarters.

HACSU Private Sector Coordinator, Tom Kleyn, said the claim was well justified and members would fight hard to win improvements.

"You look at the survey we distributed and 94% of members are unhappy with the amount paid for sleepover shift, 74% are unhappy with the definition of disturbance, 64% have a problem with their ability to claim disturbance, more than half are unhappy with privacy and bathroom facilities."

"There is an overwhelming groundswell of support for this campaign."

"Members working in this industry are very dedicated. They wouldn't do the sleepover shift if they weren't committed to their jobs. How many people would spend a night away from home with that sort of responsibility in very ordinary conditions for $20 odd dollars?"

Tom Kleyn said there was major problems with the concept of sleepover shifts, and the least employers could do was pay these shifts properly.

"These workers are held responsible for someone doing a runner in the middle of the night, but they are paid a token $20 because employers say they are supposed to be asleep. There's a bit of a contradiction there," Tom said.

Tom Kleyn said there was also very strong support from the community for this measure.

"Parents and guardians very much support what we are doing. They believe $20 is a pittance."

"We will be campaigning amongst parents and guardians and the wider community to build support for our cause."

"These increases will have to be properly funded by Government. We most definitely will not tolerate any reduction in services to clients to fund staff improvements."

Tom Kleyn said there was now an emerging body of research showing workers who were sleep deprived or had disturbed sleep suffered detrimental affects to their health.

"It's a recognised issue now. There's a lot of research from Australia and overseas which shows that workers who work these sorts of shifts suffer from a range of health problems."

HACSU members are planning a range of community activities, workplace campaigning and possible industrial action to win their claim.

The employers' organisation, the TCCI, has been notified of the claim.

What Members Said

Response to Disability Survey

94% of members were dissatisfied with amount paid per sleepover compared to 6% who were satisfied.

Personal Privacy - 45% satisfied, 55% dissatisfied.

Quality and size of bed - 63% satisfied, 53% dissatisfied.

Bedroom Facilities - 40% satisfied.

Definition Disturbance - 74% of member were dissatisfied, compared to 25% satisfied.

Ability to claim for Disturbance - 37% satisfied, 64% dissatisfied.

Support from Management - 45% satisfied, 56% dissatisfied.

Provision phone calls - 69% satisfied, 31% dissatisfied.