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Autumn 2004

Salvos Sell Off

THE SALVATION ARMY is selling off their aged care facilities across Australia. They have three facilities in Tasmania, of which Levenbank Hostel and Tyler Village Nursing Home are now up for sale.

HACSU is currently negotiating transfer agreements, protecting accrued entitlements and hours of work. Drafts have been completed and sent to the Salvation Army head office.

The Salvation Army has publicly stated they would like to see all their facilities as one to another operator.

HACSU is very concerned that the Tasmanian facilities do not get sold to a multinational operation, which will attempt to come in and "slash and burn".

Inform recently did a tour of Tyler Village, one of the Salvation Army facilities, to check what members thought. Here's a sample of members opinions.

"We are all very uncertain. If they (management) want to make a profit they'll be contracting everyone out. That's the way they think they can make a profit these days."

"You really worry. It's all very uncertain. If you have a family or a mortgage you think "...well what's going to happen?" There's no guarantees."

"The morale has dropped here. Residents are saying nobodies laughing anymore. There's no enjoyment in the work. The residents are worried too about whether they might be chucked out."

"That's on top of all the usual stuff, like staff not getting replaced, more work to do and less time."

"It's just a kick in the guts."

"We'd like to keep our jobs. That's important. We wouldn't like to see the standard drop for the residents.

This is currently one of the cleanest homes."

"Surprised, shocked, disappointed. Never thought it would happen. I've been here for over 20 years. My husband has lost his job four or five time but I've always been here."

"It makes me uptight. Will I lose my sick leave?"