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14 December 2010 |
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Health and Community Services Union members working in the non-government disability sector, along with a range of other unions, will march in support of Equal Pay at State Library tomorrow. The rally is in response to the Federal Government’s submission to the Equal Pay Case being heard by Fair Work Australia, which stipulates that any pay increases for disability workers should be assessed against the budget.
"The Federal Government’s submission is a concerning development. It relegates workers’ rights to equal pay for work of equal value to second place against budget implications," said HACSU State Secretary Lloyd Williams.
The Equal Pay case is seeking to increase the wages attached to the new community sector award in Fair Work Australia on the basis of gender equity. Unions are arguing wages are low as the sector is predominantly female and therefore paid less than workers with similar qualifications in male dominated industries.
"It is clear that caring work is undervalued in Australia because it has historically been considered the work of women. This case is an opportunity to address this imbalance and recognise the incredible contribution that these workers make to the lives of some of Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens."
Additionally, unions are calling upon the Baillieu government to commit to fully funding the outcome of the case. Currently the Baillieu government have only committed $200 million over four years, to the outcome of the case which HACSU believes will fall well short of the required funding.
"We welcome the Baillieu Government’s support for this case, however we call upon them to provide adequate funding for this grossly under-resourced sector," adds Mr Williams.
The rally will be held Wednesday 15 December from 12pm at State Library and will be followed by a march to Parliament House.
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