Otago staff at Anglican Family Care to take industrial action

Social workers, family workers and support staff working for Anglican Family Care in Dunedin and South Otago will take industrial action after their employer refused a pay increase that would keep up with the rising cost of living.

The 25 staff, members of the Public Service Association (PSA), have voted in favour of seven separate pieces of industrial action, including a two-hour strike, pickets of board meetings and working to rule.

Jon Henning, Dunedin PSA organiser, said “Anglican Family Care offer clients budgeting advice, but their refusal to pay fairly could mean their own staff need their assistance,”

“The PSA expects more compassion from an organisation dedicated to helping families thrive.

“Five months after bargaining began, Anglican Family Care are yet to agree to compensate staff for 3 years without even a cost-of-living increase.

“Anglican Family Care pays staff 40% less than people doing the same work for the Ministry of Social Development, even though the Ministry is their biggest funder.

“Staff are asking that Anglican Family Care pass on any increase in Government funding to staff, but Anglican Family Care are refusing to agree.

“Anglican Family Care needs to start caring about the families of their staff, and come back with a fair pay offer,” said Jon Henning.

Industrial action details

1 - Work to rule: work the hours you are paid for (including only travelling for work related purposes in work time), take the breaks you are entitled to. Just do your role as set out in the job description. Don’t do overtime. This action commences 20 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
2 - Withdrawal of goodwill. Don’t clean cars. Don’t cover the absences of others. Don’t clean or tidy the kitchen or any other space on site. This action commences 20 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
3 - Withdrawal of cooperation in relation to the training of staff. Do not assist in the orientation or training of new staff. This action commences 20 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
4 - No work after close of business. Don’t answer phones or emails outside work hours. All electronic equipment to be returned to the office by close of business each day. This action commences 20 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
5 - Cessation of the inputting of hours into the agency database. This action commences 27 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
6 - Pickets at lunch breaks and any meetings of the agency’s Board. This action commences 27 October 2014 until 14 November 2014 inclusive.
7 - Unpaid stopwork meeting on 3 November from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

ENDS

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