The Guardian 13 December, 2006
Landmark for ABC childcare workers
ABC Learning Centres childcare workers will be able to vote from December 13-19 on a landmark agreement won by the LHMU Childcare Union with Australia’s biggest private provider of childcare services.
The agreement is the result of negotiations between ABC Learning and the LHMU, and it is the first for a major early childhood care provider in Australia, said Jeff Lawrence, LHMU Childcare Union National Secretary.
Mr Lawrence said the agreement represents an important step towards professionalism in the childcare industry.
"Our childcare union members developed the agreement, with ABC Learning Centres. The aim was to standardise better practice and conditions, and make the industry more professional", Jeff Lawrence said.
The agreement, incorporating new terms and working conditions for childcare staff at ABC Centres throughout Australia, will be voted on by ABC childcare workers.
"The agreement means that the wage rates established in Work Value/Pay Equity cases last year will be applied on a national basis throughout ABC centres", Mr Lawrence said.
Staff taking up the offer of free study and support are required to remain at an ABC Learning centre for 18 months after the completion of their course.
Other benefits in the agreement include:
free uniforms;
payment for certain allowances at approved providers, for example Senior First Aid and Epi-Pen training;
programming time in States where it is not already provided in the award;
continued phasing-in of Work Value/Pay Equity rates;
Tasmanian wages in line with the higher Victorian rate;
WA wages per the new award;
external cleaners in all centres;
clearer provisions for part-time working arrangements; and
guaranteed extra annual pay increases of at least 2 per cent per annum and in line with the Fair Pay Commission’s increases.