United Voice News
Childcare workers not paid on time amid worries for future of day care centres
Childcare workers at an operator with three centres in Perth who have not been paid on time are planning to lodge an official complaint with the Industrial Relations Commission against their employer.
It is believed that around 19 DayCare Australia employees have suffered late payment of their wages at some point in the last 12 months.
The childcare union – LHMU – received eight complaints from members about the issue between 21 December and 4 January alone.
'Implications'
Dave Kelly, secretary of the LHMU said: “It is appalling that these childcare professionals have been suffering from these late wage payments for more than a year.
“They are all owed at least a week’s worth of pay which, when you are as low paid as these employees, has huge implications for their ability just to keep a roof over their heads.
“The calls we received over Christmas period were from worried staff who simply couldn’t afford the festive season because of what had happened to their wages.”
Merryl Sykes, the managing director of DayCare Australia, has refused to answer or return the phone calls of union officials.
“Staff have told us that a number of excuses about the late payments have been trotted out including that parents have not paid their fees, and that there have been banking issues,” added Mr Kelly.
“But this is simply not good enough. Ms Sykes needs to put her house in order and pay these professionals on time and in full.”
Closure
Early in February, the LHMU learnt that DayCare Australia's Brighton Beach centre at Butler had been closed down. A letter sent to parents by the firm says the closure is due to a dispute between DayCare Australia and the landowner. Some children and staff have transferred over to the Broadview Centre.
Mr Kelly added: "It's disgusting that this operator has closed this centre seemingly without notice or consultation with parents and staff.
"We are already working with staff to ensure they are treated properly by this operator. These efforts will continue while we try to ascertain whether the Brighton Beach centre will reopen."
