Workers for Australia’s largest not-for-profit aged care provider have taken industrial action this week.
Organised by the Victorian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Bolton Clarke nurses and personal care workers held a two-hour stop work rally in Melbourne for better pay and conditions.
“Nurses, carers and midwives only take industrial action as a last resort when their employer is not listening and we reassure residents and clients and their families that their health, safety and welfare are not at risk,” said ANMF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick.
For the past 18 months, the ANMF has been negotiating wages and conditions on behalf of Bolton Clarke staff working in residential aged care homes across Melbourne, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula.
The negotiations led the aged care and retirement living provider to offer its workers a 2 per cent pay increase. However, the offer was dismissed as the ANMF is seeking a minimum 4 per cent wage hike for Bolton Clarke nurses and PCWs.
“It’s disappointing that the ANMF have decided to take this action after six months of good faith negotiations to reach a new Victorian state-based enterprise agreement,” said Bolton Clarke group chief executive officer Stephen Muggleton. “We were one of the first aged care employers to sign up for and support the aged care fair work value case and have passed on in full all government funding received under the Fair Work Commission direction to employee wages and entitlements.”
While Bolton Clarke “is committed to offering the best wages and conditions package that is sustainable,” Mr Muggleton said funding uncertainty was a major concern for providers.
“Spending on wages as a proportion of revenue is already near record highs. We do not know what, if any, additional funding the sector will receive through the government’s response to the Aged Care Taskforce, which continues to be delayed.
“We do not know how government will regulate the price of home care under the home care reforms that are due to commence from 1 July 2025. We don’t even know how much money we will have to spend in 2024-25 because we are still waiting for the 2024-25 AN-ACC price in residential care.”
Mr Muggleton said Bolton Clarke will continue to engage with employees, the ANMF and other bargaining parties to reach a wage agreement as soon as possible.
With more industrial action on the cards, he said the provider’s focus remains on the health, wellbeing and safety of its residents and clients. “We are closely monitoring with plans in place, including additional team members on hand at our homes, to provide extra support and minimise any disruption.”
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