News & Media
Letter to the Editor relating to Industrial Action 17 February 2011
Published 18/2/2011
To the Editor
The Advocate
By email: letters@theadvocate.com.au
February 17, 2011
Dear Sir,
In response to your article (Workers take to the streets, 16 February) I wish to clarify the award rates in relation to aged care.
The hourly rate quoted in the article places Extended Care Assistants at OneCare on a wage of $17.10 per hour.
In addition to this, OneCare offers and actively promotes salary packaging which raises the hourly rate to $19.04, based on a 20 hour working week.
Salary packaging has been in place for over 10 years and is a Federal Government provision that allows aged care employees to pay their mortgage, grocery, power and water bills, among other things, from their salary before tax.
In addition we have adjusted penalty rates in excess of the Modern Award, increased the eligibility for long service leave by reducing it from 15 years to 10, and improved benefits for bereavement leave.
We have offered all our 470 non-nursing residential aged care staff, including the one quarter who are HACSU members, an annual pay increase of some 3 per cent or what FairWork Australia comes up with -- whichever is the highest.
With a national inflation rate of 2.1 per cent, this offer is nearly one third more than most will receive.
As those working in the aged care sector know, a Productivity Commission report released earlier this month highlighted the funding short-falls in the sector and the need for significant reform.
We believe our offer is fair and reasonable and would ask those considering further industrial action to hold this in mind.
Yours,
Dale Eastley
Chief Executive Officer
Letter to the Editor relating to Industrial Action 15 February 2011
Published 18/2/2011
To the Editor
The Advocate
By email: letters@theadvocate.com.au
February 15, 2011
Dear Sir,
I would call on all HACSU members to take the time to inform themselves of the offer that is currently on the table by OneCare.
If Tania Rouse's (The Advocate, Monday Feb 14) account of the offer is anything to go by, then HACSU members are being short changed by their union who are attempting to have a buck each way.
On the one hand, at a national level HACSU agreed to the Modern Award, but at a local level they are telling members it will lead to an erosion of entitlements.
In fact, the Modern Award will see some entitlements increased while it is true some will go.
However, regardless of this, the offer put by OneCare is in excess of the Modern Award and we are offering 14 days personal leave, which is four more than the current 10 days in the Modern Award.
In addition we have adjusted penalty rates in excess of the Modern Award.
We have offered all our 470 non-nursing residential aged care staff including the one quarter who are HACSU members an annual pay increase of some 3 per cent or whatever FairWork Australia comes up with -- whichever is the highest.
With a national inflation rate of 2.1 per cent, this offer is nearly one third more than most will receive.
To suggest that in addition to this we are seeking to erode working conditions is misleading as we have actually increased entitlements under the simplified award system and we are not seeking to abolish all paid meal breaks but would like to review some of them.
As a not-for-profit provider, OneCare must on the one hand ensure the highest possible standard of care of residents does not suffer while balancing an exceptionally tight federal funding regime.
As those working in the aged care sector know, a Productivity Commission report released earlier this month highlighted the funding short-falls in the sector and the need for significant reform.
We believe our offer is fair and reasonable and would ask those considering further industrial action to hold this in mind.
Yours,
Dale Eastley
Chief Executive Officer
Media Release relating to Industrial Action 15 February 2011
Published 18/2/2011
Media Statement: Industrial Action
Media Statement
15th February 2011
IN the face of increased industrial action in the aged care sector, the Chief Executive Officer of OneCare, Mr Dale Eastley has reminded union members that the offer of increased pay and benefits is still on the table.
"As HACSU would be aware, we have offered all our 470 non-nursing residential aged care staff including the one quarter who are HACSU members an annual pay increase of some 3 per cent or whatever the FairWork Australia comes up with -- whichever is the highest," Mr Eastley said.
"With a national inflation rate of 2.1 per cent, this offer is nearly one third more than most will receive.
"To suggest that in addition to this we are seeking to erode working conditions is misleading as we have actually increased entitlements under the simplified award system and we are not seeking to abolish all paid meal breaks but would like to review some of them."
Mr Eastley said as a not for profit provider, OneCare must on the one hand ensure the highest possible standard of care of residents does not suffer while balancing an exceptionally tight federal funding regime.
"As those working in the aged care sector know, a Productivity Commission report released earlier this month highlighted the funding short-falls in the sector and the need for significant reform," Mr Eastley said.
"We believe our offer is fair and reasonable and would ask those considering further industrial action to hold this in mind.
"We would call on our staff, HACSU and all members of the Tasmanian public to join with us in continuing to lobby the Federal Government for an increase in funding so that those working in the sector can have a fair go."
ENDS
Issued by: Becher Townshend Font Public Relations 0418 370 661
Media Release relating to Industrial Action dated 25 January 2011
Published 18/2/2011
Media Statement: Industrial Action
Media Statement
25th January 2011
THE Chief Executive Officer of OneCare Mr Dale Eastley has expressed disappointment at stop work meetings held today at Bishop Davies Court in Hobart and Umina Park in Burnie.
"One Care is a not-for-profit provider of aged care services that is dependent on the Federal Government for its funding," Mr Eastley said.
"We have put on the table a fair and reasonable offer to our Non-Nursing Residential Services Staff which has been based on discussion and negotiation.
"As those working in the aged care sector would be aware, a report released last week by the Productivity Commission highlighted the funding short-falls in the sector and the need for significant reform.
"We call on all parties to recognize that our latest offer is fair and reasonable.
"Our staff are our most valuable asset, but under the current funding regime there is only so far we can go.
"We would call on our staff, HACSU and all members of the Tasmanian public to join with us in lobbying the Federal Government for an increase in funding so that those working in the sector can have a fair go."
ENDS
Issued by: Becher Townshend Font Public Relations 0418 370 661
