Carers protest over pay

WORKERS at one of Tasmania’s largest elderly care facilities have started industrial action over wages and work conditions, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation says.

The action was being taken by 112 workers against Southern Cross Care Tasmania.

Union state secretary Neroli Ellis said Southern Cross Care Tasmania’s offer to workers was not good enough.

“The proposed cut to redundancy entitlements, reneging on the offer of back pay and the low wage offer of 2 per cent in 2018 and 2 per cent in 2019 does not speak to the importance of supporting and attracting quality staff into the agedcare sector,” she said.

The organisation’s chief executive Richard Sadek said the union demand of a 4 per cent pay rise was unreasonable given the national increase for carers over the past 12 months was 1.9 per cent. Mr Sadek said a 2.5 per cent rise for the next 12 months was paid last month.

Ms Ellis said the organisation’s 2015-2016 annual report showed its cash position had improved by $24 million from the previous year.

“Care staff ... are being paid seven cents an hour less than equivalent workers employed as hairdressers under the Hair and Beauty Industry Award.”

The industrial action involves workers wearing campaign badges and handing out flyers to residents and family members.

A negotiation meeting is scheduled for next Thursday.