Social and Community Services (SACS) workers took the fight for pay equity to the streets of Lismore as they rallied together for a national day of action last week. Wearing red and purple, symbolising both the workers’ movement and the women’s movement, about 150 people gathered at the Lismore Workers Club on Thursday, June 10, before being led by the Samba Blisstas on a march through the streets of Lismore.

During a rousing speech that gained applause and calls of shame toward the NSW government, regional organiser of the Australian Services Union, Punita Boardman said 83% of workers in the SACS sector were women and that not only did women receive on average 18% less pay than men, but that SACS sector workers received less pay than other Australian workers. She said that the Australian Services Union (ASU) had lodged an equal pay claim with Fair Work Australia to address the lower pay among SACS workers and that it was currently being reviewed as a test case.

For the full article click here.