Health and Community Services Union

Health and Community Services Union members will begin a series of work bans at Kiriniari Community Services tomorrow (25th August) after the service continually to refused to pass on a full pay increase that the Victorian Government has provided the funding for.

Kirinari provide residential, outreach and recreational programs for people with a disability in the Wodonga, Wangaratta, Albury, and Lavington areas.

On 1 July 2009 the Victorian State Government gave all Disability Support Providers a funding increase which contained provisions for a 3.25% pay increase. However, Kirinari refuses to pass the full pay increase on. Kirinari’s ongoing refusal has lead to a break down in negotiations which has meant the union has been forced to resort to industrial action.

“These are some of the lowest paid, yet hardest working people in Australia,” said HACSU State Secretary Lloyd Williams. “They do a fantastic job and make a real difference to the quality of life enjoyed by those in their care.”

“Most other disability support providers have done the right thing and passed on this funding increase,” said Mr Williams. “Kirinari have been given the funding for the pay increase and it is time they followed suite and gave their employees this long overdue rise.”

The action follows a protected action ballot that was run last month and where HACSU members overwhelmingly voted for the right to take protected industrial action. The union and its members are now appealing to the community for support and targeting Kirinari’s board members to pressure management into action.

“We don’t want this to be a lengthy dispute,” said Mr Williams. “It is a clear cut case of an employer pocketing a pay increase that was intended for their staff. It is time to do the right thing an provide the full 3.25% pay increase back dated to 1 July 2009.”