24 April 2009

For Immediate use

Low pay forces strike vote at Marton Rest home

Caregivers and kitchen staff at Edale Rest Home in Marton have voted for industrial action after negotiations with their employer stalled.

The staff, who are members of the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota, say bureaucracy at the home undervalues the service and skills of the workforce.

SFWU organiser Linda Deans says negotiations for a new collective agreement started eight months ago and have been characterised by negative attitudes from management and the Trust Board.

"Not so long ago the Edale Rest Home was a good employer, respecting their staff and treating everyone fairly. Unfortunately in recent years, Edale's approach has been to offer less than a fair deal. Every year the staff enter negotiations hoping for a more respectful and open minded approach from management, but once again staff have been disappointed." said Linda Deans.

Linda Deans says that despite the aged care sector being chronically underfunded, the wages paid at Edale fall well short of accepted industry standard.

"The Service and Food Workers Union and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) have worked really hard to promote better funding.  What we can't accept or expect is that employers come to negotiations and actively try to reduce pay and conditions." 

"Start rates at Edale of just $12.55 are barely above the minimum wage and it takes four years of service and experience before staff rise to the top rate of just $13.04.

By refusing to look at a reasonable pay scale that reflects the service and qualifications of staff the quality of the care delivered to residents is undervalued.

Edale is blessed by having a long serving and dedicated staff, who take great care of the residents, and truly believe in the home's mission statement 'A home away from home when the time comes'."

"Keeping and attracting quality caregivers is fundamental to the care of the elderly. If the boss won't care for the staff how can they care for elderly?" said Linda Deans.

Union members say they will have no alternative but to take industrial action as a last resort if the home continues to ignore their concerns.

ENDS

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