$ 0 +

in recovered wages, entitlements, compensation and penalties for aged care members

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Industrial matters in which UWU acted for members

$ 0 +

in recovered wages, entitlements, compensation and penalties for aged care members

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Industrial matters in which UWU acted for members

CONGRATULATIONS to every aged care worker who took action this year in workplaces, online, in the media and on the streets.

May 10th 2022 - national strike action

On May 10, we saw massive national action with workers in three states taking the unprecedented step of walking off the job to rally for change.

The impact of this action has been HUGE for aged care – directly contributing to a number of EBA wins, a change of government, sector-wide legislative reform to fix the staffing crisis and give residents more care time, and a 15% first-step pay rise for aged care workers.

Brave United Workers Union aged care members spoke out in the media again and again this year about low pay, poor working conditions, safety at work, the safety of older Australians in residential facilities through Covid, and the understaffing crisis.

On May 10, we saw massive national action with workers in three states taking the unprecedented step of walking off the job to rally for change.

The impact of this action has been HUGE for aged care – directly contributing to a number of EBA wins, a change of government, sector-wide legislative reform to fix the staffing crisis and give residents more care time, and a 15% first-step pay rise for aged care workers.

Brave United Workers Union aged care members spoke out in the media again and again this year about low pay, poor working conditions, safety at work, the safety of older Australians in residential facilities through Covid, and the understaffing crisis.

we changed the government to change aged care

By putting aged care on the top of the national agenda in the May federal election, United Workers Union aged care members were instrumental in putting an end to a decade of aged care going backwards under Scott Morrison and the Liberals.

And it paid off – with the new Labor government allocating $27 BILLION in spending to home and residential care in the October budget, and agreeing to fully fund the work-value case pay rise.

By putting aged care on the top of the national agenda in the May federal election, United Workers Union aged care members were instrumental in putting an end to a decade of aged care going backwards under Scott Morrison and the Liberals.

And it paid off – with the new Labor government allocating $27 BILLION in spending to home and residential care in the October budget, and agreeing to fully fund the work-value case pay rise.

HISTORIC PAY RISE - The First Step

In 2022 direct care aged care workers won a historic 15% pay rise from the Fair Work Commission – a first step towards correcting years of wages going backwards.

But cleaning, catering, laundry, lifestyle, domestic care workers, AINs, nurses and personal care workers are ALL essential to our aged care system. The fight to win an aged care pay rise is not over, and aged care workers will not stand for some workers to be left behind.

In 2023 we’re fighting for a pay rise for ALL aged care workers.

In 2022 direct care aged care workers won a historic 15% pay rise from the Fair Work Commission – a first step towards correcting years of wages going backwards.

But cleaning, catering, laundry, lifestyle, domestic care workers, AINs, nurses and personal care workers are ALL essential to our aged care system. The fight to win an aged care pay rise is not over, and aged care workers will not stand for some workers to be left behind.

In 2023 we’re fighting for a pay rise for ALL aged care workers.

we won new laws - more care time and 24/7 nurses

Aged care union members have had some HUGE legislative wins this year, after electing a new federal government that is truly listening to aged care workers.

First, we saw the passing of important laws to increase care time for residents and allow for registered nurses on site 24/7, in line with the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

Aged care union members have had some HUGE legislative wins this year, after electing a new federal government that is truly listening to aged care workers.

First, we saw the passing of important laws to increase care time for residents and allow for registered nurses on site 24/7, in line with the Royal Commission’s recommendations.

secure jobs, better pay bill passed on december 2

Then on December 2, the Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill was passed into law. This new industrial relations legislation is designed to lift wages, allowing aged care workers from multiple providers to come together to demand better pay, and will become law on July 1, 2023.

Join a Movement of workers that wins

Want to become part of a great movement of workers standing up for change in the sector? Join your Union for Aged Care!

Being in a union is about more than receiving individual back up and support at work, it’s about joining a movement that is standing up for what’s right – fighting for a fairer Australia!

Joining your union doesn’t only improve your own conditions, your workplace or your sector, but it strengthens the entire workers’ movement in Australia.

Stand with us and make a difference!

more wins at aged care providers across the country

WIN AT CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Members at Churches of Christ have fought hard for 18 months and were rewarded with a 4% pay increase. This brings their total increase over the last 12 months to 6.5%!

WIN AT BRIGHTWATER

Aged care workers at Brightwater stood together as union members, demanding better pay and better conditions. Workers won pay rises of between 9.6% and 10.1%. Instead of getting paid 150% for public holidays, workers will now get paid 250% for each public holiday worked. Plus, regular shift workers will now be entitled to an extra week of annual leave.

WIN AT AEGIS

After Aegis Aged Care refused all their workers’ reasonable claims for better working conditions and proposed unfair clauses instead, it tried to get workers to accept the bad offer by baking ‘Yes’ cakes – so what did workers do? They ate the cakes, and then 64% voted ‘No’ to the insulting conditions. Aegis has since agreed to come to the bargaining table!

WIN AT CARINITY

When Carinity decided to illegally SLASH their workers' annual leave by a whole week, Ros and Sally contacted the United Workers Union for help. With the support of their Union, Ros and Sally won back their 5th week of annual leave!

WIN AT MERCY HEALTH

Seven aged care members at a WA aged care provider just won over $3,000 in back pay, after standing up to their employer for years of unpaid meal allowances! Some members received over $700 each. The provider is now paying all employees their correct meal time allowance for overtime shifts!

BACKPAY WIN

UWU member wins pay rise and $2,500 backpay! When one aged care member raised concerns that they had been under-classified by their employer for years, together with their United Workers Union they decided to fight for the correct pay level. The company agreed to adjust the member’s level, winning the worker an immediate pay rise and 2.5 years of backpay worth $2500!

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Share YOUR Win story!

"The only way for workers together significant increases in pay and conditions is to join a union and stick together. How many of us had grandfathers and fathers who stood together to get these things only to find them eroded by big business at the expense of workers." Aged Care Worker

"Union density is the the Answer! More Members MUCH BETTER BARGAINING POWER!"

"When you stand together and are united , you win." #unionpowerispeoplepower

"Uniting as one! Solidarity and people power win."

"Hard works pays off ❤️ UWU always takes care of their members, what will we do without it? Grateful."

"This is what we can achieve when we stand together! UNION POWER"

"BE THE CHANGE."

"Absolutely don't stop until it's fair!"

JOIN THE UNION FOR AGED CARE WORKERS

Standing together, we can change our workplaces.

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