Dear Member,

HSU members at Christian Brethren Community Services have secured a major win for aged care members who were incorrectly graded and paid the wrong rates of pay.

Recently, some HSU members raised concerns about their classification and pay rate, identifying they were not being paid the correct base rate for their roles.

Your union representatives met with management to discuss this issue and CBCS have now agreed to the following:

All direct care workers who are Certificate III qualified, or have the equivalent skills and knowledge, will be regraded to CSE-2 level 2, and paid a base rate of at least $30.11 per hour (the Award minimum).

• All new employees who are Certificate III qualified, or have the equivalent skills and knowledge, will be eligible for a base rate of at least $30.11 per hour (the current Award minimum). You can submit a statement of service from your previous employer(s) or a statutory declaration to prove your experience.
• All employees that require adjustment will be back paid to the first full pay period on or after 30 June 2023.
• CBCS has sent a communication to staff explaining their intention to pay the correct rate and provide back pay.

If any HSU members are receiving the incorrect rate, we encourage you to raise the matter and contact your HSU organiser or delegate as soon as possible.

Last Friday, 15 March, the Fair Work Commission announced their final decision on our case. HSU members in direct care roles have won increases of between 18 and 28 per cent, inclusive of the interim increase!

HSU members will be watching out to make sure management passes on the latest pay increase ordered by the FWC.

This is a great win and would not have been possible without HSU members bringing the issue forward and then working together to get the matter resolved. Tell all your workmates about this great win and the importance of being in the union. Together we are stronger!

New members can join the HSU at www.hsu.asn.au/join or by contacting 1300 478 679.