Health workers are wearing orange on the job at Lyndoch Living in a bid for better pay.
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Union members formally began protected industrial action on Thursday, September 22 following a unanimous decision to combat unfair wages.
Health Workers Union secretary Diana Asmar said its members were “fed up” with being overworked and underpaid.
“Our members see public sector members getting a decent pay deal (14 per cent pay rise), yet they (in the private sector) are being dudded,” she said. “It’s not fair and it’s not right.”
Ms Asmar said private-sector members should be treated the same as those in the public sector.
“They operate off public funding,” she said. “There’s no excuse or logical reason why they should not receive the same pay rise as any other public sector hospital worker.”
Lyndoch Living were notified that members would begin wearing campaign t-shirts during working hours with posters, slogans and colours displayed in the workplace and in vehicles.
Members said they would also speak to residents, their families and the community about the purpose of campaign material during working hours.
“Our members do a wonderful job for the local Warrnambool community,” Ms Asmar said. “They are amongst the lowest paid members of the Warrnambool community.”
Lyndoch Living chief executive Doreen Power said it was continuing negotiations with the union in good faith with sustainability and affordability being key considerations.
“We value the work our staff do and hope to reach a resolution soon,” she said.
Ms Power confirmed the organisation’s commitment to the “delivery of services provided to vulnerable residents in (its) care”.