More than 94 per cent of low-paid health support and disability support workers have overwhelmingly voted to accept an historic wages deal from the Malinauskas Government, after thousands took action across South Australia.
The voter turnout in the ballot, which closed at 5pm yesterday, saw almost 4000 public sector workers (EDS: exact number 3954) cast a “yes” vote for the wages deal, representing the highest turnout for a vote on the agreement in more than a decade.
Since February, thousands of United Workers Union members took action in hospitals, wrote on Department of Human Services vans, signed petitions and protested loudly about issues they faced in metropolitan hospitals, regional health, aged care and disability support.
The offer features pay rises for the vast majority of workers of between 24% and 44% across the three-year period, and huge improvements to conditions including:
- Department of Human Services workers paid at Federal award rates or better.
- Sunday penalty rates of 175% for health support workers and 200% for disability support workers.
- Metropolitan hospital workers given $2.50 a day car parking or free public transport.
- Backpayment of wage deals to at least July 1 this year, and in some cases backpayments to July 1, 2024.
The pay rises are seen as the largest public sector pay rises in Australian history, and address long-standing historical undervaluation of the health support and disability support workforces in South Australia.
The eight-month campaign was notable for vocal worker protests outside the offices of Disability Services Minister Nat Cook, Health Minister Chris Picton, former Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and Premier Peter Malinauskas.
Statement attributable to United Workers Union National Public Sector Director and SA State Secretary Demi Pnevmatikos:
“Today we welcome an overwhelming vote to improve the wages, conditions and lives of thousands of South Australia’s health support workers, disability support workers, aged care workers and early childhood educators.
“These are some of the lowest-paid workers in South Australia – wage increases like these are a big step to keeping the health, aged care and disability support services running.
“When the health system needs patients to move smoothly through hospitals, it is crucial to attract and retain the best patient services assistants, theatre technicians and sterilisation technicians
“Our members have thrown themselves into fighting for a fair deal – they have rallied, they have taken protected industrial action, spoken to MPs and Ministers and talked to the media.
“When low-paid disability support workers campaigned to address long-standing differences between other states and Federal awards for exactly the same work, it’s pleasing to see the Malinauskas Government has listened to their concerns.”