is there anything Joanne can't do?
In the space of 12 months Jo Marks, proud disability worker and union member, has been elected union delegate, attended delegate training, taken on her employer and is now the newly elected Health and Safety Rep.
ACTU leads charge for casuals
We see it in every industry, where employees have been called ‘casuals’ despite working for years and having regular and permanent hours. They have no paid leave, have difficulty securing loans and find they are not able to speak about safety or other workplace rights for fear they will be sacked, on the spot!
Our Union and Our Movement, fighting for job security
The NSW Chamber of Commerce, one of the main supporters of the Federal Government's attack on penalty rates, has its sights on our part time provisions in disability, social and community services sector. In a disgraceful move the NSWCC has applied to the Fair Work Commission to strip back hard won conditions so that bosses can essentially treat part time workers like casuals, except without casual loadings!
Delegate profile: Di Ryan, CareWest
Di has worked as a disability support worker in Care West’s Orange day program for 4 years supporting people with disabilities to access their community and participate in living skills programs.
Di has always been a union member no matter which sector she has worked in. Di developed an awareness of the importance of WH&S while a member of the AMWU and has brought that passion and knowledge into her role as an ASU delegate.
Are penalty rates important in the disability sector?
Do you rely on penalty rates in your role?
There has been a lot of media attention on how the removal of penalty rates would affect hospitality workers on weekends, but what about the disability sector shift workers rostered on 24 hours, 7 days per week for accommodation and respite services?
The shift allowances set by our award ensure that workers who are rostered late, through the night and on weekends receive some remuneration for these hours.
Member view: Sue Moss, Grafton
I work in the disability sector and love working in this industry because I care about people.
I don’t believe that just anyone can do this job; you have to have a passion for it and want to make a difference in people’s lives.
It can be demanding at times but with this comes a sense of satisfaction and it is rewarding.
NDIS roll out dates- are you and your workplace ready?
If you work in the Hunter/New England region, Western Sydney, North Sydney, South Western Sydney, Southern NSW or on the Central Coast you have just months to get prepared for the live NDIS roll out in July 2016!
Non government disability organisations in the ACT and Nepean/Blue Mountains have already commenced the transition to the scheme. Eligible people with a disability have been invited to their planning and commencement of the scheme according to their age groups, with total engagement scheduled for the end of 2016.
Make sure you have all the information so you can be a part of the change and ensure the NDIS is the best it can be- invite us to your next meeting to learn more...
Season's Greetings: 2015
2015 is a year to be ASU Proud!
Together we:
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bargained new agreements at NCR and Canon - safeguarding conditions;
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pushed TabCorp into its first negotiations for a collective agreement with NSW members.
Young women getting organised
We recently held the inaugural Edna Ryan training day for ASU members who are women under 30. Edna Ryan was an equal-pay warrior of her time, and the Edna Ryan foundation has partnered with the ASU to support young women to get involved in their union.
Ending domestic violence
Many ASU members work in services supporting women and children leaving domestic violence or many have experienced domestic violence themselves. The recent announcements by the Federal and State Governments to increase funding to prevent domestic violence have been welcome by many members and the ASU.