We've won the principle argument; community workers are undervalued. However we need to remind the government that they must fund the outcome and value caring work in the community. Click on the button below to send an email to the Prime Minister to let her know the Federal Government must fund Equal Pay.
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  • Press Release: HACSU welcomes Equal Pay funding commitment by Gillard Government
    05-Jul-11
    The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), one of several unions collaborating in the Equal Pay case, welcomes today’s announcement by the Federal Gillard Government to fund their proportion of any pay increase awarded by Fair Work Australia.
  • Rally for Equal Pay
    05-Dec-10
    Wednesday 12 pm, 15th December
    Meet at the State Library then march to Parliament House
  • Federal Government Backs Down on Equal Pay Case
    23-Nov-10
    As you will already be aware, HACSU members have been campaigning for Equal Pay for Non-Government Disability Support Workers and those working in PDRSS sector.
  • HACSU members win 3.25% pay increase at St John of God
    07-Nov-10
    After discussions with HACSU, management at St John of God have agreed to provide staff with a 3.25% pay increase effective fortnight ending 11 November 2010, back payment to 1 July 2010 in relation to this increase will be received by 1 December 2010.
  • Equal Pay Case Update
    27-Oct-10
    The Equal Pay Case is continuing although the original dates for hearing evidence set in September and October 2010 have been extended.

The Health and Community Services Union is campaigning around equal pay for Disability Support Workers and Psychiatric Disability Workers in the Non-Government Sector.

Here are the facts:

  • Up to 90% of the workforce is female.
  • Their pay is between 17% and 30% less than employees doing the same job in the public sector.
  • Women and Community Sector employees work is undervalued and they have less bargaining power.
  • It is time to redress this imbalance.

HACSU, along with the ACTU and the ASU, have lodged an "equal remuneration" case with Fair Work Australia, to argue that the new modern Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award which came into effect on Jan 1 2010 does not pay staff enough.

This challenge is based on the gender equity provisions under the new Fair Work Act and is similar to a case that was recently won in Queensland.