Support workers have walked off the job over what they say is a “broken system” that is putting vulnerable Tasmanian children at risk.
Those on the frontline of the state’s child safety services are demanding immediate action from the state government to fix chronic underfunding, understaffing, poor working conditions and low pay.
Health & Community Services Union State Secretary Robbie Moore said workers have been ignored by the government, despite a commitment that was made over a year ago.
“Their work is extremely underpaid. It’s even paid less than private sector people doing the same work and they’re not being paid enough,” he said.
“This is a totally unacceptable situation where we have the state government stealing their own workers wages by not even honouring the commitment that they made 12 months ago.”
Union members voted to escalate industrial action that will “focus on the government” and not on the children they support during their Wednesday strike.
Support Worker John Britcliffe said he and his colleagues were the lowest paid workers in the entire country and “don’t feel valued at all”.
“My colleagues and comrades are sick and tired of the delays that the government is currently holding us up for our pay rise,” he said.
“We’re only asking for a fair amount because of the work we do. We’re sick and tired of the stalling.”
The state government thanked the workers for what they do and said an agreement was hoped to be finalised by the end of the week.
