United Voice

In this issue:

1. Members enjoy new union rights

2. Childcare Minister to walk a day in our shoes

3. 2010 is our year: childcare members

4. Fresh start with GoodStart


Dear member,

Childcare members have made it clear — they are not afraid to speak out to win respect.

Members can see their courage and unity is paying off as our list of wins grows longer.

In March community childcare members in around 100 centres started earning $1200 above the Award.

Their Professional Childcare Standard is a landmark agreement for the community sector.

These members stood up for better pay, increased planning time, professional development and union rights, and they won.

These are the kind of BIG STEPS we want to see taken across the whole childcare sector.

That is why thousands of members across Australia have already pledged to spend this year talking to parents, colleagues and governments about the BIG STEPS campaign.

Some members have already taken it to the top. They asked Victoria’s Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand to walk a day in their shoes as a childcare professional, and she agreed!

We’ve already shown that when childcare members stand together we are a powerful force for change.

Now, as more and more of our sector join our union, our BIG STEPS campaign for professional respect, recognition and pay is becoming unstoppable.

In unity,

Jess Walsh
Branch Secretary,
LHMU Victoria


VICTORIAN BRANCH ELECTION REMINDER – VOTE NOW

All Victorian LHMU members have been sent a ballot paper for our union election. 

Your vote is important. This election will decide who will lead our union for the next four years.

The ballot paper has names on it. You need to place an X next to your choice for the union’s leadership positions.

Once you have filled in your ballot paper, put it inside the small envelope provided and then sign the back of this envelope.

You then need to put the smaller envelope inside the larger reply-paid envelope provided and put it back in the mail.

Members enjoy new union rights

Community childcare members power up for the first time.

In an industry first, members from around 100 community childcare centres won union rights as part of their new agreement, the Professional Childcare Standard.

“It was amazing to achieve union rights in the agreement,” said Carol Phelan from Richmond Creche and Kindergarten.

“We now have the right to go to union meetings and training. We can build on our knowledge to continue lobbying for a better industry without losing pay.”

Members came down to the union office in May for our first ever childcare Powerhouse Training.

Members said they were thrilled to attend the training — which equips members with the skills to unite their centres, and help lead our BIG STEPS campaign — and still get paid by their employers.

Carol (pictured, right) has worked in childcare for 18 years. She enjoyed connecting with other leaders in her industry.

“It was really good to meet up with other early childhood educators and develop a network within the sector.”

Carol is keen to continue her training.

“I am developing important skills and feeling empowered to fight for our rights as early childhood educators.”

The inclusion of union rights in a childcare union agreement sets a new standard for the industry.

“This is a huge win for the community sector. It’s what all childcare members are campaigning for: a professional standard for childcare,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

Childcare Minister to walk a day in our shoes

Maxine Morand agrees to spend a day working in a childcare centre.

Victoria’s Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand has accepted LHMU childcare members’ challenge to walk a day in their shoes.

Two community childcare members, Kay Marchant and Kristen Mazzoletti, met with the Minister in late May, to talk to her about our BIG STEPS campaign for professional recognition and respect.

They offered the Minister a chance to experience firsthand what it takes to deliver high quality professional childcare — and she said yes!

“I would like to see her observing the children, planning and programming and taking part in organising the children’s experiences,” said Kay (pictured, far right).

Kay, from Northcote’s Annie Dennis Children’s Centre said the challenge will help boost the sector’s public image.

“Usually in the media, we are portrayed negatively — when a child is missing or sunburned or if it is a discussion about increased costs.”

 “By the Minister accepting our challenge she is saying that she takes us and our work seriously — this will help raise our profile in the media.”

“When the media portrays us as professionals and the public view us as professionals we are on our way to the recognition we deserve.”

Maxine Morand joins politicians across Australia who have taken up the challenge to experience what life is like for LHMU members.

“Childcare members are making governments and community take notice of the important work we do, and understand why we deserve to be recognised, respected and paid as professionals,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

2010 is our year: childcare members

Thousands pledge to help win professional recognition in childcare.

Thousands of childcare members across Victoria have pledged to make 2010 the year of the childcare workforce.

Pledge cards are being signed around the state by members committing to spread our BIG STEPS message far and wide: we want professional recognition for our sector.

Members have promised to talk to colleagues, parents and governments.

Heather Baldwin at Fitzroy’s John Street Community Early Childhood Co-operative is thrilled our BIG STEPS campaign is growing. 

“I think it is so fantastic! People are glad to see the changes that have already happened, they can see there is movement and they want to join the campaign,” said Heather (pictured, right).

“The response from members has been incredible. Our movement for professional recognition and respect is becoming unstoppable,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

Heather, who has worked in childcare for 22 years, believes professional recognition is long overdue.

“We are still looked on as babysitters by the public — that is why we need to speak out,” Heather said.

“It is time we were acknowledged for the special work we do.”

Heather plans to take it to the top.

“We need to keep giving government a shakeup — we are here, we do important work and we deserve recognition and respect.”

Fresh start with GoodStart

After surviving the collapse of ABC, members focus on a better future for their industry.

Last week 570 ABC Learning centres were officially handed over to not-for-profit group GoodStart marking the return of stability to the childcare industry.

More than 13,000 workers and 100,000 children were affected by the collapse of ABC Learning.

Centres faced closure, workers feared job loss and families were panicked but throughout the crisis LHMU childcare members stood strong.

“Everyone was very worried but we were like a big team and we stuck together,” said Marina Leyton from ABC Cheltenham, now a GoodStart centre.

“We supported each other and helped each other out between centres.”

Members showed loyalty to the company, the families and each other.

“We didn’t know if we were going to have jobs at the end of all this but we were more worried the children would be without proper care,” Marina said.

When the majority of centres were up for sale, union members lobbied the government and receivers hard to ensure they went to an operator with a long-term commitment to quality childcare.

Now the dust has settled members are looking forward to working with GoodStart to build a strong, stable industry.

“Our main focus is on providing higher quality care and to do that we need professional development and recognition — and we need respect,” Marina said.

“ABC members have been through a difficult time. What got them through is their commitment to each other and to their profession,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

“These great LHMU qualities are what we will all need as we work together to win professional pay and respect for our sector.”