To SCC’s considerable embarrassment, the Fair Work Commission requested that SCC make, by way of undertakings, 17 separate improvements to the EBA before they would approve the Agreement.

Eventually SCC made those undertakings and the Agreement has now been approved.

Many of the improvements sought by SCC were matters raised by HACSU.  We knew the Agreement was going to struggle to pass muster and we were right.

Shockingly, SCC replaced the entire wages schedule for aged care and home care staff because the rates contained were less than the Award.

SCC had to insert a new pay increase for 1 July 2018 just to keep up with the Award.

You will recall that we had told SCC management throughout bargaining that their proposed wage increase was so paltry that it was likely the Agreement wages will fall below the Award and our prediction proved correct.

It is likely that your wages will again fall below the Award after 1 July 2019.  We will need you to keep an eagle eye on your pays after this time.  If SCC don’t increase wages to be at least Award levels,HACSU will look forward to making underpayments claims (with penalties) on behalf of members.

Such employer tight fistedness has been unheard of even in an industry known for it.

Let’s organise – so next time SCC offers you peanuts – you can throw them back and demand something better.

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