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A FAIR GO FOR COMMUNITY AND DISABILITY WORKERS

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) and a coalition of supporting unions launched a historic pay equity application in March this year, which aims to deliver an average pay rise of 25 per cent to social, community and disability service workers under the National Industrial Relations system.

Workers in community and disability services perform roles that are demanding, complex and difficult, without appropriate remuneration.

HACSU State Secretary Chris Brown said that "HACSU will argue that lower wages in this sector should be brought into line with pay rates in a similar, male dominated industry or the public sector".

"The expected increases will build upon the successful HACSU wages campaign in disability services in 2009 which saw a first stage increase in wages towards the equivalent public sector pay rates. They will also reward community sector employees with wage rises that reflect the significance of their work in the community." Chris said. "I am hopeful that the pay equity decision expected at the end of the year will achieve at least parity with the Tasmanian Public Sector or even better" he said.

Workers in the public sector often perform the same role but for significantly higher levels of pay - HACSU is hopeful of achieving outcomes for members that will bring them in line with public sector workers.
Initial witness statements were submitted to Fair Work Australia on 3 June 2010, and submissions from employers and other interested parties are due in August. The case will be heard over several months, and HACSU is hopeful of getting an outcome some time in early 2011.

HACSU organisers have been delivering campaign briefings throughout the state, encouraging employees to join HACSU and become active in this campaign. Increased union membership is vital to the success of this campaign and whilst HACSU membership has grown, this needs to continue. Members can get involved in the campaign by contacting HACSUassist on 1300 880 032 - sign the petition, talk to your workplace representative, write a letter to the editor, join a workplace committee, attend a campaign briefing.

This industry is heavily reliant on government funding - and the only way to increase wages to the sector is for members to lobby to increase the safety net and provide an additional funding stream from Government. This should ensure that the increased funding is delivered where it is needed most - to the pockets of the workers in the industry.