Employer holding cash meant for aged care workers 1.4.10

Low paid workers in the aged care sector are still suffering because employers are refusing to pass on public money intended for their employees’ wage increases, said CTU President Helen Kelly today.

“Aubert Home of Compassion was given a 5 percent funding increase by Whanganui DHB in June of 2009. That was nine months ago and none of that public money has yet been passed on to employees,” said Kelly. “Aubert did not begin negotiations on renewing the collective agreement with the unions until the end of November and their best offer since then has been only 3 percent. Aged care homes were given $18 million over and above a 3 percent inflation increase specifically for staff support and retention.”

“The aged care sector has alarmingly high rates of staff turnover and the wages are extremely low for what is very important and skilled work. Apart from the social and economic impact on workers themselves of continuing to be undervalued, ultimately it impacts on the elderly people being cared for and is unsustainable.”

“The workers in this home now have no choice but to take strike action to win money that was intended to go to them. This action will not only cause increased financial hardship for these workers but also hardship of the people they care for. It is unnecessary in an organisation that should be concerned about its reputation in the community. Unions will support the members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and the Service and Food Workers Union get a fair and just wage settlement.”