SUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • JULY 2010

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DISABILITY SERVICESNEWSLETTERAction brings resultsThe incredible show of strength at the National Day of Action sent an unmistakeable message — and it seems the Government was listening.

Mark Hyde deputy vice president, TAFE and adult provision

THERE has been some positive movement since our last newsletter: an equal pay day of action; a

meeting with Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville, and finally the State Government’s commitment to back Fair Work Australia’s decision on the pay claim.

Thousands of social and community sector workers rallied in Federation Square on June 10 for the National Equal Pay Day of Action.

Among the 4000 who marched through the streets of Melbourne was a strong contingent from the AEU, including workers from the disability sector and their supporters.

The noise of chants and whistles could be heard across central Melbourne and the message was loud and clear — the battle for pay equity is far from over.

As the rally wound its way from Federation Square to Parliament House to deliver a huge petition, onlookers could not have missed the message that social and community sector workers were demanding fair pay.

Many disability services allowed managers and members to attend the day of action. This was a great show of unity between the employers and workers, together saying that enough is enough — this sector deserves more.

The rally was followed by AEU meetings in disability workplaces across the state. And the union movement committed to continuing the campaign for equal pay, with another day of action on November 15 if governments failed to respond.

This was a great reminder of the power of collective action — to see many different unions united on an issue is what being a unionist is all about.

The day’s success was further attested to by

the Brumby Government’s commitment to fund any pay increases that result from the Fair Work Australia case.

Premier Brumby announced that “a re-elected Labor Government will back Fair Work Australia’s decision on this pay claim”.

The Government now recognises that the sector has been undervalued for a long time, and supports an outcome that reflects a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

As Premier Brumby said: “This emotionally taxing labour — often performed by women — is critical to the fabric of our community. And the value of this labour is not always reflected in the pay they receive.

“We will factor in any wage increase to our service

agreements with community services organisations and ensure those wage increases are passed on to workers.”

He also pledged “in partnership with the community sector (to) work over time to provide the level of funding the sector needs to pay its invaluable workers.”

This decision by the Brumby Government is to be applauded. It is vital for employers to know that they will receive the funding required for increased wages in the sector.

Also last month, AEU branch president Mary Bluett, vice president for TAFE and adult provision Jo Fogarty and I met Minister Neville.

We spoke at length about the pay equity case, the frustration of members when service providers do not pass on pay rises, the effect this has on retaining workers, and the valuable work this sector does and the need for it to be recognised.

The door is open for future discussion and Jo and I have been invited to meet the Minister’s adviser as issues arise. An open and frank relation-ship with the Minister’s office is very welcome.

We are now awaiting the outcome of the equal pay case that has been lodged by unions, including the AEU, with Fair Work Australia. The case is being heard by the full bench of FWA. Submissions have been lodged and hearings are scheduled for the spring.

Our case is that traditionally the bulk of the work in the disability, social and community work sectors has been performed by women and has been systematically unvalued and under-funded, leading to a significant pay gap.

Thank you to all the AEU members and activists who helped to make the Equal Pay Day of Action such a persuasive success. This recognition of the work our AEU disability members undertake and the pathetic remuneration they receive is long overdue.

We need to keep the pressure building so that Fair Work Australia delivers on pay equity. ◆

2 Disability Services newsletter | july 2010

THE AEU donned its red ponchos, dusted off its flags and banners and made a loud and proud

presence at the Equal Pay National Day of Action on June 10.

The rally in Melbourne was one of seven rallies held around the country to raise the issue of wage disparity in the largely feminised non-government community services sector.

Melbourne’s rally was particularly targeted at the Brumby State Government, trying to ensure that the outcome of the Equal Remuneration Order currently being heard before Fair Work Australia would be fully funded in Victoria.

As a long-serving organiser for the AEU, I have seen many rallies. But this is the first I have been involved in that included our disability sector members — and they did not let themselves down.

Many organised with their workplaces to be present on the day. It’s testament to the importance

of this issue that many employers were happy to release some of their staff to attend.

The issue was also well supported by other sectors in the AEU, with TAFE members attending the rally and some of our school members wearing red to work on the day.

The AEU joined the ASU, HACSU and many other unions and community groups to rally in Federation Square and then march to parliament to demand equal work for equal pay.

The 4000-strong crowd made an enormous noise throughout the streets of Melbourne with their whistles and clackers and there was an excited feeling among the ralliers that surely this time, with this much support, the Government could no longer turn a blind eye to the low wages in the sector.

Rounding off the day, the AEU staff and leader-ship visited disability centres across Victoria to

take the message of the rally to members in their workplaces.

As a veteran of many large rallies, I was quietly doubtful that we would receive a positive response from government to even a cause this noble. Imagine my surprise when I received a call on a Saturday morning not long after the rally from AEU president Mary Bluett, informing me that John Brumby had just committed to fully fund any outcome from the Fair Work case. Later that day there was an excited text to let me know the opposi-tion had matched the promise.

It’s rare to have such a win in industrial relations. The efforts of our members definitely paid off and every member who signed a petition, sent an email, signed a postcard, attended a meeting or wore red on the day deserves a big pat on the back for a job very well done. ◆

AEU members made their presence felt on the National Day of Action — and your commitment reaped rewards. AEU organiser Meaghan Flack reports on a great day out.

www.aeuvic.asn.au 3

W

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PAYUP

You did us proud

Employers agree July raisEKerry Maher disability services organiser

JULY brings a pay rise for employees in adult training and support services, under a memo-

randum of understanding signed by the AEU and employees.

The MOU, signed by the AEU, health workers union HACSU and employers groups VHIA and NDS, maintains the current agreement conditions and delivers pay rises of 3.25% from July 1 2009 and 2010.

Approximately 70% of employers are respondent to the MOU and have paid the increases and the relevant back pay. The MOU was designed to delay the making of new agreements to allow

the outcome of the Pay Equity case now before Fair Work Australia to be factored in.

We have a list of those employers who are respondent to the MOU but there is nothing to prevent any other employer from proceeding to sign the MOU and pass on these pay rises.

The AEU can provide the necessary information and wage scales for employers.

If your employer has not yet signed on to the MOU please make a formal request from the sub-branch to your CEO or committee of management that they do so.

The AEU will also be informing Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville of those employers who have received funding for pay rises but have

not passed this on as wages.While we eagerly await a decision on the pay

equity case FWA, there is no justification for employers not to use their current funding to lift wages as the Government intended. ◆

4 Disability Services newsletter | july 2010

Health and safety supportA new website and email network offer OH&S support tailored for the community sector.

TWO new resources are available to help health

and safety reps and other AEU members navigate their way through the sometimes choppy waters of OH&S in the community sector.

Information specific to the sector can be tricky to find, despite the wealth of general OH&S informa-tion available. The Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) has responded by creating a range of resources for those working in the field.

The first is a new website with information for sub-sectors, guidance on specific hazards and checklists and tools to help workplaces be safer.

The website is open to any interested person — rep, employer or member — and is regularly updated with the latest information relevant to the sector. It can be found at www.communityohs.org.au.

The second is a more personal and responsive resource for individuals. Safety in Numbers is a new email network designed to link people working in the sector who have an interest in OH&S.

This is a great way to get answers to questions, share best practice and discuss policies and proce-dures that you may come across in your workplace. To join, email Laura Mondon, VCOSS OH&S projects officer, at laura.mondon@vcoss.org.au. ◆

— Meaghan Flack

Member surveyOVER the next couple of months, the AEU

will be running a survey of the disability sector to gather a snapshot of the industry.

With the equal pay case now before Fair Work Australia, it’s essential that we have accurate and current information about the sector, so that we know with certainty what issues the industry faces and the priorities of our members.

We’ll be distributing the survey both electronically and by mail. We encourage all members to take the time to fill it out. The survey is also open to non-members — it’s important we get a picture of the whole sector, so please pass a copy of the survey to non-members in your workplace. ◆

Disability CommitteeSunshine Golf Club

Derrimut Road, SunshineAugust 17, 5pm

All members are welcome at a special disability services committee in Sunshine on August 17. We will update members on the Wake Up Pay Up campaign and the equal pay case.

Come along and meet AEU leadership and organisers. Drinks and nibbles provided. RSVP to mary.denman@aeuvic.asn.au. ◆