Meet new HACSU staff

Megan Thomas

My name is Megan, I’m your newest Industrial Organiser in the North.

Before starting at HACSU, I worked in the disability sector for over 12 years both for a large company and as a sole trader. Through that experience I came to understand how hard it can be for workers when businesses say they care about workers when often they don’t. So, when the opportunity arose to work for a union, I jumped at the opportunity to represent and stand side by side with workers in the heath and community sector.

Being an organiser means I can now care, support, fight for and represent those workers who in turn care and look after our most vulnerable. I have enjoyed meeting so many of our amazing workforce in the last few months and look forward to continuing to meet and build relationships with workers, so we can ensure we keep employers accountable for their actions.

Outside of work I am the very proud mum of four and the proudest Nan of six. I enjoy spending time with my husband Greg and our family, exploring our state and watching the kids play their sports. I’m also a proud supporter of the Western Bulldogs – and I have entrenched that love into my three daughters and one grandson, who love going to games together and barracking (not so) quietly.

Scott Ellis

I’m Scott, the most recent addition to the HACSU family as an Administration Officer.

I’ve always been about helping people in my career, so I was over the moon when I was asked to come on over to HACSU. Before being here I have been in an administration and customer service role at a university, and financial ombudsman service.

In my time away from the office I love to get out on my push bike first thing in the morning and clear the cobwebs, and whilst home it all depends on what we decide to do with our two young children.

I also like to spend lots of time in the garden as a form of meditation, attending to the veggie beds to then get the most delicious food as the result, unless the native animals get to it before I do.

I have already met and spoken to a number of members and look forward to meeting many more.

“WE LOVE THE ELDERLY”, BUT LOVE DOESN’T PAY THE BILLS Big wins but more work to do in the fight for 25% in aged care

Aged care workers just had a huge win in our case for sector-wide pay rises as the Fair Work Commission has decided that Award wages will go up by 15% on 30 June.

But it’s not over yet.

We’re still fighting to win a 25% wage increase for everyone who works in aged care – not just for some. The recognition we deserve

While 15% goes some of the way, we know it isn’t enough.

We will all get old one day. Many of us will rely on aged care to give us the support and dignity we need in our old age – and our loved ones rely on it now. Aged care work has been undervalued for far too long.

It takes skill and dedication to do these jobs. And it takes love.

“Of course we’re all here for a wage… but we could go somewhere else and earn more money. The reason we don’t isn’t because we’re not educated enough to do that. It’s because we love the elderly. We want to be to help them. We want them to have a loving atmosphere to live in. That’s why I get up every morning at 65 years old and come to work, to make sure that I make them smile. I want to make sure I put the music on. And if they want a glass of water on it, I’ll make sure that I’m here to do something for them. Sometimes they want to cuddle. You’re not really supposed to, but sometimes you have to cuddle them because you know that you’re the only family they might have come in that day to give them a cuddle. They might not have family, but you’re the work family. We do a lot. We deserve respect for it.”

- An aged care worker from Launceston

But love doesn’t pay the bills.

“The wage in increase still needs to be more,” said one aged care worker from the north west. “We earn our qualifications. And when we go to work, it’s mentally and physically draining. And yet you can go and stack shelves at the supermarket and get paid more. This increase is great but it isn’t enough. We still need the full 25% pay increase.”

We work as a team, so we should be paid as a team

Although those who provide direct care have secured the 15% pay rise, there are still many workers who are just as essential to keeping aged care running who’ve been left high and dry by the decision so far. When you think of aged care, your mind may not jump straight to the workers who prepare the food, launder clothes and linens and maintain the facility – but they’re just as vital as everyone else. There’s no dignity in aged care without a well-maintained place to live, good food hot on your plate and clean clothes, bedding, and towels.

“If it wasn’t for service employees, the doors would be shut. If you didn’t have cleaners to come into the facility, or maintenance, or laundry, or kitchen hands… the place wouldn’t run. And that’s why this is so insulting – that they think we’re worthless.

“And I think they really need to hear that we are important. Why are any of us more important than anyone else? We should be equal. We’re all here doing the same hard work. We deserve to be respected for that.

“I’d like to retire knowing that my 20-something years of work here was worth something. Not that I wasn’t worth it in the government’s eyes.

“If they don’t value aged care as a whole, do they just not value the elderly?”

HACSU knows every job in aged care is absolutely essential. It takes the whole team to provide care.

So we’ll keep fighting for every aged care worker to receive the 25% pay rise they deserve.

Who will get the pay rise on 30 June?

Residential aged care

• All personal care workers

• All recreational activities officers/lifestyle officers

• The most senior food services employee engaged at a facility (be they head chef/chef/ cook)

• All nurses

Home care

• All home care workers who work in aged care

I work in aged care. How much will my pay go up by?

The FWC has decided that pay rates in the Aged Care Award and the SCHADS Award will go up by 15% on 30 June.

If you’re one of the workers listed above and you’re paid on either of these Awards, you’ll see the full 15% hit your pay from thereon in.

If you’re on an agreement, your employer will have to pass on the difference between your existing pay rate and the new Award rate. The exact percentage increase you receive will depend on the difference between the two rates.

If you’re unsure about what this means for you, HACSU is here to help.

Give us a call if you’re unsure whether you’ll get the pay increase or how much you should expect to see.