Campaigning Pays Off for Aged Care Workers

1 May 2007

Campaigning Pays Off for Unionised Aged Care Workers

Unionised Aged Care workers have plenty to celebrate today as a May Day funding announcement by the Minister of Health Pete Hodgson gives a much needed cash injection to the most neglected and under-valued sector of the New Zealand health system.

Workers in Residential Aged Care will benefit from $150 million in additional funding over four years and the strongest indications yet from the Minister that he expects this funding to go directly to wage increases.

The Minister agrees with unions saying that the best mechanism for funding to generate real wage increases for workers is through collective bargaining. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Service and Food Workers Union have campaigned for some time for a Fair Share for Aged Care with collective employment agreements a key component of the campaign.

Through the Fair Share for Aged Care Campaign, members of NZNO and SFWU have called on employers and the Government to ensure quality care for elderly New Zealanders by making provision for

 A fairly paid workforce with salaries and wages that reflect the skills, knowledge and dedication of those caring for our elderly,
 The opportunity and support to train, up-skill and receive recognition for that effort both in pay and career opportunities,
 Safe Staffing through improved staff-patient ratios and genuine recognition of the level of care required in contemporary Rest Homes and Hospitals.

“Today’s announcement is a very significant step towards eliminating chronic low pay in the Aged Care sector,” says NZNO Organising Services Manager Cee Payne-Harker. “We commend the Minister for his work in getting this funding included in the 2007 Budget. “

“Aged Care workers have campaigned hard for a long time to achieve this. They have the support of the public and community organisations as well as cross-party support in Parliament. Their dedication to the campaign comes on top of long hours of physical labour taking care of older New Zealanders. They make a stunningly valuable contribution to our communities,” Ms Payne-Harker adds.

NZNO estimates today’s announcement, including $128 million to account for inflation, is an increase to Aged Care funding in the region of to 6-7% each year over four years, on top of increases already provided for in previous announcements . A caregiver on the minimum wage of $11.25 could therefore reasonably expect their pay to increase to at least $14.40 over that time.

ENDS

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