United Voice News
Aged care members' high hopes for negotiations
LHMU members working at the Carinya of Bicton aged care facility have presented a letter urging management to start negotiating with them again.
The letter was taken into the facility on Thursday during one of three four hour strikes which took place during the day in protest at the pay and conditions offer from their employer.
In the letter the aged care workers said their key priorities were the residents of Carinya. If wages for aged care workers did not keep up with other nursing homes over the next three years, good staff would leave, they said.
The workers want wage increases of $1 an hour every year, the reinstatement of six and seven weeks of annual leave for staff rather than the current level which is five and six and no reduction on casual staff loading on the weekends.
During the walk outs, federal MP for Fremantle Melissa Parke met with and heard the workers’ concerns which centre on low wages of just $18.66 p/h and below-industry standard annual leave levels. She applauded their determination and pledged to raise the issue of their low pay with the minister for ageing Mark Butler. She also offered to mediate in any meetings with management.
"Recognition"
Aged care workers Alison Ross, Mygal Gebie and Merrilyn Hosking said: “Staff go above and beyond the call of duty 24/7 because we care for the residents like our own family. This is about getting recognition for that.”
Their colleagues and co-union members Catherine Sakari and Anna Karolak added: “What union members are fighting for will affect all staff. Over the last months we have worked together across all shifts and sites as a team.
“Over the coming months, by supporting each other we can maintain high quality care at Carinya and win better wages to keep good quality staff.”
High staff turnover
Dave Kelly, secretary of the LHMU, said: “Taking this strike action has not been easy for these aged care workers. Their top priority is always the residents but they want to see care levels improving, not going backwards because of high staff turnover due to the poor wages and conditions.
“These workers have not had a pay increase for two years and they’ve been trying to negotiate with Carinya for six months to no avail. They were forced out by an unco-operative management.
“This is their chance to improve the aged care centre by investing properly in their staff.”
