Community workers demand 'quality services, quality pay'

June 28, 2000
Issue 

Community workers demand 'quality services, quality pay'

BY NICK EVERETT & TRISH CORCORAN

SYDNEY — In the largest mobilisation of community and welfare workers in years, 1000 workers went on strike and marched through Sydney's central business district on June 23 demanding "Quality services, quality pay".

Members of the Australian Services Union (ASU) stopped work in support of funding for a new social and community services employment award. The NSW award is the worst in Australia, say the workers, the average annual salary being only $25,000, compared to an average of $38,000 for all Australian workers. The community sector covers non-profit community services for the aged, homeless, people with disabilities, young people, women and families in need.

Rally organiser and ASU social and community services division president Fran Tierney told the demonstrators that community workers have historically been reluctant to take industrial action, fearing for the disadvantaged people they service. But the mood indicated that many workers now think "enough is enough".

The union's state secretary, Alison Peters, explained, "Most people don't even know who these workers are or what they do. They are highly skilled and highly qualified people caring for the disadvantaged ...

"If these services are to survive, more funding and decent pay and conditions are needed to attract and keep the right people. The state government should actively support a better award or they should explain why they can't find money for decent pay."

The rally heard from many workers. Maree McDermott, coordinator of the South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre, said many felt "damn angry to have to leave an industry that plays an important role in building communities. We should have no guilt in asking for a decent wage. Quality service deserves quality pay."

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