“Really great agreement!” UWU delegates Barb, Suzie and Craig were over the moon.
The biggest public sector pay deal ever won covers about 6,000 health and disability support workers in South Australia. UWU delegates from SA welcomed the deal last month, as they stood alongside SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher.
“They support some of the most vulnerable people in South Australia in our public health and public care system, and are also some of the lowest paid people in the public sector,” the Attorney General pointed out.
With workers receiving at least 24% pay increases over the life of the three-year agreement, this historic wage deal addresses the issues of low pay and the need to keep workers in difficult and demanding jobs such as Health Support workers and Disability Support Officers. UWU member and delegate Craig says the win means members won’t have to struggle as much.
“Cost of living has been really hard for our members. Some of them have to work two jobs just to make ends meet.”
The new agreement will change the lives of thousands of our members and their families.
Craig adds that it ‘wasn’t just about the money, it was also about the respect and recognition.’
These Disability Support Officers and health support workers will receive:
- A pay increase of at least 24.12% over the life of the Agreement.
- 175% penalty rates on a Sunday for health support workers.
- 200% penalty rates on a Sunday for Disability Support Officers.
- Updated job titles from Theatre Orderlies to Operating Theatre Technicians, and from Sterilisation Attendants to Sterilisation Technicians.
This is a fantastic outcome after 8 long months of negotiation that has corrected the historic undervaluation of these essential roles in public health and disability support.