Correctional officers at the notorious Adelaide Remand Centre (ARC) took strike action for 24 hours today in protest of the poverty wages and prevailing issues resulting from the low wages.
The ARC is operated by private, for-profit facility management giant Serco and the issues at the site, including assaults, regular lockdowns, safety and security breaches, are well documented.
United Workers Union (UWU) members at ARC assert that many of the problems stem from the fact short staffing is standard practice, but Serco is unable to attract or retain workers because the wages on offer are the legal minimums allowed under the Award.
Correctional officers are seeking a wage rise which would bring the average workers’ wage up to $31-an-hour, the accepted industry standard.
Serco have rebuffed the workers’ claims, despite reporting a profit of more than half-a-billion dollars last financial year (£272 million).
UWU organiser Darren Roberts said Serco had a primary responsibility to South Australians to operate the centre as safely and securely as possible.
“Despite there being lockdown, after lockdown, dozens of assaults, and at least one escapee, Serco continue to refuse to change its business model,” Mr Roberts said.
“As someone who visits the ARC regularly, I am actually shocked there hasn’t been more serious breaches. Never have I seen a full roster of staff for the facility to operate safely.
“I don’t know how Serco expects to address the chronic staffing shortage when it offers the bare minimum in terms of wages, while risks to personal safety and wellbeing are high.
“I know Serco has a responsibility to its London shareholders, but at what cost to the remandees, the staff and the South Australian community?”
Workers began a 24-hour strike at 6:00am this morning and have reserved their right to take further protected strike action later in the week.