IHC workers win wage increase

IHC workers win wage increase

Over 3000 members of the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota have ratified a new IHC Collective Employment Agreement that includes an immediate backdated 1% wage increase, with a further 1.5% increase to rates from 6 November 2010.

The new agreement was signed today, more than seven months after negotiations commenced.

It was only settled after six weeks of industrial action, which included bans on non-essential paperwork, overtime, use of personal vehicles and 'sleepover' shifts. The bans were supplemented with short stoppages and pickets by members in vocational and supported living services.

SFWU National Secretary John Ryall said the union was pleased one of the union's largest collective employment agreements had been settled but the funding issues for disability support services still needed to be tackled.

"Front-line disability support workers are carrying out an important job, but this goes unrecognised by the government funding agencies who continue to promote the benefits of community care without acknowledging the poor level of funding to deliver it." said John Ryall.

ENDS

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