Next Friday, 18 May, the Time to Act for Better Pay campaign is throwing a picnic in Hyde Park in the middle of Sydney for aged care nurses and their friends, family and supporters (that includes all nurses). This is part of the 2012 Aged Care Enterprise Agreement Campaign.
The main aged care employers’ representative, the Aged Care Association Australia – NSW (ACAA), will be holding their annual congress in the Sheraton on the Park hotel across the road from our picnic. Let’s send them a message about better pay for the aged care workforce!
The current Aged Care (For Profit) Agreement expires on 30 June 2012. Negotiations for a new model agreement are underway. On 16 March, member-endorsed claims for a new agreement were provided to the ACAA. These claims are based on better pay and reward for qualifications, eg. an AIN Certificate IV pay rate.
ACAA has not yet said yes or no to these improvements. However, they have responded with changes they would like to see in a new agreement. The employer’s significant claims are:
• Remove the August Bank Holiday, also called Nurses Picnic Day.
• Reduce annual leave loading for shift workers to 17.5% (currently the Agreement provides for whichever is greater – 17.5% or weekend/penalty rates).
These changes will be strongly opposed by the NSW Nurses Association.
So we’re holding an early nurses picnic day! Bring your kids or your grandchildren – there’ll be a clown and face painting to keep them amused while the adults enjoy the light refreshments and listen to speakers, including Judith Kiedja of the NSWNA.
Tell your workmates, spread the word, and don’t forget to Like our Time to Act 4 Better Pay Facebook page, so you can keep in touch.
Image credit: NSWNA
Don’t forget our International Nurses Day contest - the best photo of nurses celebrating will win a two-night stay in the Hunter Valley.
Remember to sign the NSWNA Recency of Practice Petition!
