Demand for better pay won’t end

Assistants in Nursing (AINs) caring for the frail aged earn less than shop assistants, according to New South Wales’ Nurses Association.

Thousands of nurses, working at more than 150 NSW for-profit aged care facilities, are demanding  employers improve their wages and career opportunities, especially following the federal government’s recent decision to make $1.2 billion available from 2013 for better wages, working conditions, career and training opportunities.

The owners of the for-profit facilities are members of the Aged Care Association – NSW (ACAA-NSW) and their current enterprise agreement expires on 30 June, 2012. The association’s nurses are seeking a new agreement, which includes a 6% annual pay rise and a range of improvements to workloads management, leave arrangements and the treatment of qualifications and experience.

Thirty-eight of the facilities are in regional NSW and employ more than 1,000 nurses. The other 119 facilities are spread across Sydney and the central coast and employ more than 3,000 nurses.

NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA) acting secretary, Judith Kiejda, said pay and conditions in the aged care sector continued to “lag behind” the hospital sector.

“This is a problem aged care employers and the federal government recognise,” she said.

According to Ms Kiejda, all aged care employers “have to do their bit to help achieve better outcomes”, or the sector will continue to be “plagued” by staffing pressures and questions about the standard of care.

“The situation has become particularly serious for the NSW for-profit sector, which is now falling behind the charitable aged care sector in terms of pay.

 “At these poor pay rates, an AIN caring for the frail aged is currently paid less than most. This is why nurses at these 157 for-profit facilities are collecting staff petitions at their workplaces, calling for improved wages and the other improvements in our claim.

“Our claim for a 6% annual pay rise will provide important improvements for registered and enrolled nurses, as well as the many AINs who work in aged care. Greater recognition for experience and qualifications will also help develop a strong culture of ongoing professional development and ensure nurses are appropriately rewarded for the work they do.

“Residents and taxpayers, who are paying good money for aged care services, are entitled to know a fair amount of that money is getting to the people who actually care for them.”

The petitions will be presented to their employers early this month.