From Perth in Western Australia to Torres Strait in Queensland, aged care workers are taking unprecedented strike action today in protest at conditions they say have gone from “terrible to horrifying”.
(EDS: See below for full media opportunities including walk-off and strike rally).
“When aged care workers in some of Australia’s largest aged care providers employing 10,000 people walk off the job today they are doing so because they feel they have no option but to take strike action,” Carolyn Smith, Aged Care Director, United Workers Union said today.
“Aged care workers have been pushed to do double and triple shifts, facing dire conditions in PPE and no let up in sight in many facilities.
“But Covid was just the latest burden in an aged care system already in crisis.
“Aged care workers report aged care residents are frustrated, upset and humiliated as they wait too long to be showered, too long for soiled pads to be changed and too long, sometimes, even to be fed.
“All this while aged care workers earn some of the lowest wages in Australia.”
About the strike:
Aged care workers will walk off at five major aged care facilities in Western Australia and Queensland on Tuesday.*
Workers in providers with more than 120 facilities and caring for almost 10,000 aged care residents will go on strike in support of their claims for increased pay and staffing levels, walking off the job ahead of major CBD rallies.
Several measures have been adopted to ensure aged care resident safety:
- Employers have been given a longer notification than the minimum legal requirement about workers’ intention to strike.
- Workers are limiting strike action from 11.30am to 4.30pm – essentially so all lunches can be prepared and aged care workers can return for dinner preparation.
Adelaide* |
Brisbane |
Perth |
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First-call media contact |
1300 898 633 |
1300 898 633 |
1300 898 633 |
Walk-offs |
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What |
Walk-off from an aged care facility. Striking aged care workers walk out of an aged care facility and board a bus headed for CBD strike rally |
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When |
11.30am, all times local times |
11.30am, all times local times |
11.30am, all times local times |
Where |
N/A |
BlueCare Kenmore |
Regis Weston |
Distance from CBD |
N/A |
24 minutes |
11 minutes |
Who |
Aged care workers will be available to speak to the media about why they are taking strike action. |
Strike Rally |
Adelaide |
Brisbane |
Perth |
What |
Aged care workers gather at CBD rallies: speakers, chanting, placards, flags and banners |
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When |
12.30pm for 1pm, all times local times |
12.30pm for 1pm, all times local times |
12.30pm for 1pm, all times local times |
Where |
Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga |
Queen’s Gardens Park |
James Street Amphitheatre |
Who |
Aged care workers will speak at the rally about issues facing aged care workers. Individual interviews available. |
* About the providers:
Planned strike action in South Australia has been delayed in part by two SA providers, Anglicare and Southern Cross Care, applying to the Fair Work Commission.
A rally will be held in South Australia tomorrow ahead of planned industrial action following a two-week suspension (Southern Cross Care) and revised notice of industrial action (Anglicare).
Providers where workers are taking action |
Residents* |
Residents by state |
Facility numbers* |
Staff** |
Regis |
756 |
|
9 |
900 |
Aegis |
2700 |
|
28 |
3000 |
Hall & Prior*** |
1017 |
|
16 |
900 |
WA |
|
4473 |
|
|
Churches of Christ |
1736 |
|
25 |
2000 |
BlueCare |
3481 |
|
48 |
3000 |
Qld |
|
5217 |
|
|
Total |
|
9690 |
126 |
9800 |
* Numbers from Aged Care Service List – Australia – as at 30 June 2021 |
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** United Workers Union estimates |
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*** Only about a third of facilities involved in vote. |
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ENDS Media Contact: 1300 898 633, [email protected]