Angry disability carers take action

Five thousand disability carers and workers from facilities 
such as Kew Cottages and community homes commenced industrial 
action against the Victorian State Government last Sunday in 
support of their enterprise bargaining claim.

The carers, who are members of the Health and Community Services 
Union (HACSU), rejected a State Government wages offer "as 
insulting and offensive and they responded accordingly", HACSU 
State Secretary Lloyd Williams said.

"The Bracks Government has no appreciation of the efforts made by 
this workforce. Our members work in extremely difficult 
circumstances. They care and support one of the most vulnerable 
groups in our community — people with mild to severe 
intellectual disabilities.

"The bans will not affect residents' care. In fact our members 
will be able to spend more quality time with clients.

"The bans maximise the inconvenience to management. Members want 
to show management what they have to put up with and the 
increased work load and responsibilities being forced on them."

The bans are mostly financial and administrative and affect 
communication with management.

However, delegates have also authorised the union to step up the 
bans and commence rolling stoppages.

Mr Williams said that the government had offered a three percent 
increase a year as long as workers agree to reduce their sick 
leave benefits, workers' compensation, leave entitlements, and 
give up their job security. "That is absolutely rejected."

"Our members are appalled that the Government refuses to even 
make the same offer as was made to rest of the public sector.

"Our members suffer one of the highest rates of occupational 
assault. Approximately 77 percent of this workforce is assaulted 
each year. Our members are calling on the Government to properly 
support the workforce and the people with disabilities they care 
for."