MEDIA RELEASE
02 09 05
5% pay increase for IHC workers
The momentum around the NZ Council of Trade Union’s wages campaign has increased with a vote by 2300 IHC disability
support workers to settle their collective agreement for a 5% increase.
“This is the largest single increase gained by IHC support workers in the last 15 years and is a good boost for low
income workers,” said Service and Food Workers Union National Advocate, John Ryall.
“While this only boosts the starting rate of IHC disability support workers from $12.09 per hour to $12.69 per hour it
is an important recognition of the demanding work that is done by those workers supporting people with disabilities,”
said John Ryall.
“Both the Union and IHC have been, and continue to be advocates for greater Government recognition of the crisis in
recruiting and retaining a skilled support workforce.”
“While this increase is a good first step in the improvement of the rates of pay in the disability support sector, there
is still a need for the Government to work together with Disability Support Providers and Unions to address the
improvement of skills and pay needed for the service that people with disabilities are demanding,” said John Ryall.
ENDS