United Voice News
ABC childcare workers still don't know if they have a job
LHMU – The childcare union says 450 ABC2 Group childcare workers are bitterly disappointed that their future is still uncertain.
PPB the Receiver of the ABC2 Group announced today that a further 19 ABC childcare centres will close by 15 May, while the future of another 8 remains unresolved.
Louise Tarrant, LHMU National Secretary says “We welcome the news that most ABC2 Group centres will remain open and that families’ needs will be met.
“PPB have said 80% of ABC2 Group workers have ‘ongoing employment opportunities’, leaving 20% facing uncertainty about their future. However, the uncertainty of the current situation affects 100% of ABC2 childcare workers.
“The Receiver acknowledged this morning that these workers have stuck it out over the past six months, continuing to provide quality education and care for children. They’ve also had to deal with parents’ anxieties and the very real fear about their own jobs. The last six months have taken their toll.
“Nevertheless, on the day after QANTAS announced that 1,700 jobs will go it is worth remembering that six months ago the big banks were ready to shut over 240 ABC centres. This would have resulted in the loss of over 2,500 jobs, 20,000 childcare places and traumatic upheaval for families and children.
“The fact that more than 2,000 jobs have been saved is a credit to the good will and endurance of all stakeholders; workers and their union, Government and PPB. This process is worth emulating as business and communities face these dark days of the global financial crisis.
“While we all work to sort out the mess that was and is ABC Learning, fundamentally nothing has changed to prevent this happening again. Australia’s childcare system must change. It’s up to the Australian and state governments to make that change happen because no family or childcare worker should have to go through this again.”
See also: ABC Learning news bulletin video
