QCOSS News
September 16, 2009
QIRC decision provides major wage increase for disability support workers
A landmark decision by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to increase wages by up to 27% or more than $160 per week for disability support workers will provide more safe and secure services for Queenslanders with a disability, the Australian Workers’ Union said today.
AWU Acting State Secretary Garry Ryan said the decision by the independent umpire granted a raise for support workers working in the non-government sector by between 22% and 27% over the next 22 months (September 2009 to July 2011).
“As a Union, we sought the increase on behalf of our members and on behalf of the families and their clients. The decision by the Commission today is a just outcome for the workers, but it also a welcome outcome for Queenslanders with a disability and their families,” he said.
“The Commission’s decision is a good outcome for the AWU and provides people with a disability and there families with safe and secure support that meets their needs,” Mr Ryan said.
“The increase in wages applies to thousands of workers in the non-government organisations. Base wages of disability support workers in the non-government sector had not kept up with their colleagues working in the community sector. They will now.”
“These workers are committed to assisting people with a disability to live as independently as possible through more flexible choices as well as support options to enable them to stay living within their own communities.
“Our members are dedicated to the work they perform. However, it has been difficult to attract and retain staff to an industry that has a high staff turnover rate, in some cases the turnover rate can be 35%.”
The AWU commended the Bligh Government and Minister for Disability Services Annastacia Palaszczuk for its allocation of $414 million over four years in the June State Budget for non-government organisations that provide direct services to highly dependent clients.
For more information please contact Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350. The Australian Workers' Union of' Employees, Queensland. The Australian Workers' Union, Queensland Branch.
Call: 073221 8844 Email: media@awu.org.au Post: GPO Box 88, Brisbane Q 4001 Fax : 073221 8700
Branch Office: Level 12, 333 Adelaide Street, Brisbane + 17 offices state-wide.
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