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SA pay rises flow to community workers after huge campaign

16 April 2013 By ASU SA/NT Branch

The union representing community sector workers has welcomed the news from the State Government about the size of its commitment to a wage rise for thousands of South Australian community sector workers.

Australian Services Union SA Secretary Katrine Hildyard says the SA Government will provide more than $119m extra to the community sector for the wage increases awarded by Fair Work Australia last year.

"Twenty thousand South Australian workers, who work with some of our most vulnerable people, will see increased wages in recognition of the important community work they do.

"Our members fought for eight years to have their work recognised and last year, Fair Work Australia agreed that their work had been historically undervalued because it was being done largely by women.

"The South Australian government was one of the first State jurisdictions to come on board and announce it would pay its fair share of the wage increase and we congratulate the Premier and Treasurer for putting his money where his mouth is.

"After decades of struggle and eight years of tireless campaigning, these community workers – who support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians – will finally get decent pay.

"These workers do crucial work in our communities but have been paid more than 30% less than those people doing the same kind of work in other sectors."

"Often, they weren't earning much more than the people they were helping.

"This has been a hard fought win and is one that is totally deserved by all these important working South Australians."

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Contact Details
Name: Katrine Hildyard, ASU SA/NT Secretary
Telephone: 0418 847 865
More info: http://www.asu-sant.asn.au/