A win for HACC workers in Mildura

In a positive result for members, the Australian Services Union have helped Mildura Rural City Council home and community care (HACC) workers receive better pay and conditions after two outstanding issues were resolved. 

After some strong local representation from ASU Delegates Karyn Kalamaras and Jan Garner – a pair who continually briefed local members and sought their advice and input – an agreement was reached for better conditions when working on public holidays and the right to negotiate on agreed hours.

An agreement was reached that those who work on public holidays will now be paid their actual roster hours or their annual average hours, which ever is the greater. This will also be back-paid for a period of three years and six months, which is a fantastic result for those affected.

ASU members will also now negotiate agreed guaranteed hours. Where a significant difference between current agreed guaranteed hours and actual hours worked over a 12-month period is identified, higher hours will be agreed to as guaranteed hours.

Also, there will be no more than a 20 per cent downward variation on any pay fortnight of the four week roster cycle. In all cases, any downward variation will not reduce the entitlement of ASU members involved in this process to receive payment for the agreed guaranteed minimum hours, as a minimum.

ASU Organiser Danny Harris was pleased for the employees of the council after the favourable outcome, adding that their determination helped with the end result.

“The members were keen to make up the ground they lost under the Kennett government’s CCT regime, where employment conditions were lost in a tendering process. Our delegates did a marvellous job getting around to the members, giving them lots of information on the issue, and they also recruited very well. The employers knew that the members and the union meant business, and that workers weren’t going to settle for anything less.”