29 September 2011

Labour’s Policy Desperately Needed To Fix Age Care Issues – Service and Food Workers Union

The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota, which represent thousands of low paid caregivers in residential aged care, has welcomed Labour’s age care policy released today.

“This is a courageous and long-awaited commitment to fix the problems that threaten quality care for our older people,” said John Ryall, SFWU National Secretary.

“Our union, along with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, has campaigned on the three issues of training for all aged staff, minimum staffing levels and fair pay for many years.”

John Ryall said these three policies were desperately needed in the aged care sector.

“At last we have a genuine commitment to addressing the deep issues in aged care. Now we need a Government with the guts to put them in place as soon as possible.”

John Ryall said Labour’s Policy of lifting the minimum wage to $15 per hour would immediately increase most caregivers’ pay.

“Our union wants to see true parity for caregivers with their equivalents in DHBs as soon as possible. We want to see government, employers and the two unions negotiate a mechanism to make sure additional government funding goes into the pockets of our members who are currently on little more than minimum wage.”

ENDS

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