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Summer 2004

Substantial back pay claim - "It will pay for my daughter's 21st"

HACSU members from Regional Imaging rang the HACSU office some time ago, enquiring about public holiday rates. A general discussion ensued, leading to a query about payments for other matters, and in the end, a substantial back pay claim.

After some research, it emerged that a whole range of members had been underpaid for the hours they had worked in excess of the standard 76 hours per fortnight. The claim went back about 3 years, covered over 20 members and totaled over $15,000.

After what was described as a "pitiful" first offer from the employer, negotiations led to settlement on terms staff were happy with.

Significantly, members would never have discovered their entitlements if it had not been for the initiative of a couple of members who thought it "worthwhile checking".

Staff described the back pay as "a nice surprise".

Julie Clarke said she "definitely had plans" for the money!

"My daughter's 21, so it will pay for her party," Julie said.

Sharan Whitcombe, who has been a HACSU member for 10 years, said she believed it was worth being in the union "even without these sorts of bonuses".

Gwen Hudson said she had joined the union for job security reasons but was pleased to see the back pay.

All members said they were very appreciative of the negotiations conducted by HACSU Organiser, Paul Burford.