Voting for your proposed Arcare Enterprise Agreement is now open.

Arcare are proposing a wage increase of 2.5% for 2021, back paid to the first full pay period from 1 July 2021, followed by an additional 2.5% pay increase each July, for the next three years.

Your HSU Bargaining Team has argued strongly at the negotiation table for a better wage increase, but Arcare have said that this is the best they can afford. It is now up to members whether to accept this offer or not.

Other key changes in this agreement include:

• Improved minimum engagement, increased from 3 hours to 4 hours for part-time employees and increased from 2 hours to 3 hours for casual employees.
• Better overtime provisions for part-time employees, ensuring that they are paid overtime if directed to work in excess of their ordinary rostered hours by Arcare.
• Improved casual conversion, ensuring better job security for casuals to become permanent employees.
• Allowances increased by 2.5% per year, for the life of the agreement.
• Improved overtime penalty rates for casual employees, with the casual loading now paid in addition to the overtime penalty rate.
• Clearer provisions for shift work penalties, ensuring that the afternoon shift penalty is paid for shifts commencing at or after 10am.
• Additional annual leave for shift workers – Aged Care employees are now entitled to an additional week of annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees) for working more than four ordinary hours on 10 or more weekends.
• Improved paid parental leave, increased from 4 weeks paid leave to 6 weeks paid leave for the primary carer.
• Better support for employees experiencing family or domestic violence, including 5 days paid leave per year to support staff.

These improvements were achieved without giving up any of our current conditions or entitlements.

You can view a copy of the proposed agreement at this link. This is your agreement so be sure to read the offer carefully and have your say in the ballot. Voting is open now and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 15 June. 

If a majority vote ‘yes’ to accept the offer, the agreement will be approved and will be sent to the Fair Work Commission for approval. However, if a majority vote ‘no’, the agreement will not be approved and union members will continue campaigning for a better deal.

If your colleagues are not yet HSU members, encourage them to join at www.hsu.asn.au/join so that they are part of the campaign for a better deal. If you have any questions, please contact your HSU delegate or the HSU office for assistance.