As we expected, UAW are proceeding to a ballot again to try to push their substandard agreement through and strip away your conditions. Although we’ve pointed out that this agreement is unfair and will put at risk some people’s ability to pay their mortgages, rent, bills or even put food on the table, UAW just don’t care.

At the last meeting, UAW finally admitted that many staff would lose significant income, but they would not be doing anything about it even if people defaulted on their mortgages or couldn’t pay their rent. They tried to justify it by saying that many staff won’t be affected because their paid meal breaks have already been taken away. We made it clear all staff should get paid meal breaks as nearly all Tasmanian aged care workers do.

To add insult to injury, the wage offer is actually a pay cut as it’s under half of the current cost of living increase. Their offer of just 1.5% every 6 months is totally unacceptable and shows they disrespect the work you do day in and day out.

We cannot let UAW get their way. We need to do what we have done twice in the last 12 months: vote against this attack on your working conditions.

There is a 7-day access period for you to review the agreement before the ballot opens. The access period starts today. The ballot will open at 9am on Thursday 8 December and close at 4pm on Wednesday 14 December.

Your HACSU bargaining team strongly urge you to vote NO to this unfair agreement and tell UAW they need to do better than treating you like this. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.

HACSU organisers will be out to talk to you next week. If you have questions, please ask your delegate or an organiser on site, or give us a call on 1300 880 032.