Delegate Karen Fahey

Your HACSU workplace delegate

KAREN FAHEY

Extended Care Assistant Onecare – Bishop Davies Court

BECAUSE I work in the aged care industry as a carer there are days that are very rewarding, but other days can be chaotic where nothing goes right, and no two days are ever the same.

I've been doing this for nearly 22 years and before that I owned an apple orchard and hobby farm and worked in the school canteen 3 days a week. I've been a member for 20 years and 7 years ago my HACSU organiser and delegate both asked me to be a bargaining rep for a new agreement. After the passing of the delegate, who was a dear friend and beautiful carer, I decided that in her honour I would become a delegate. In that role I've encouraged new staff to join the union and passed on my knowledge to other members about their conditions in the workplace. In the future I hope we have better working conditions, more trained staff and a pay increase in the aged care sector because wages are very low for the job we do. I also hope we go back to personcentered care when looking after the residents. Because of staff cut backs we don’t have time to do the little extras we used to such as putting rollers in hair, putting on makeup or just sitting down to have a chat. I just wish management would ask us for input before they implement changes because, at the end of the day, we are the workers on the floor and we do have good ideas. My favourite thing to do when not at work is spend time with my family, and my favourite book is The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough.