Disability Dispute Worsens - Union Calls Full Day Strike

The Union at the centre of the dispute crippling Victoria’s disability services today announced a full day statewide strike for Friday, September 3.

The state's disability services have been affected by a campaign of rolling stoppages as well as three weeks of work place bans.

State Secretary of the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), Lloyd Williams said "the government is on notice now. The government has not been listening and has not been responding to the concerns of this workforce".

"Surveys show that at least 77% of this workforce is assaulted at work at least once every 12 months".

The Carers are campaigning for safer workplaces and resources to provide services to people with disabilities and a 6% wage increase.

"However, the government continues to offer Disability Carers a lesser wages outcome offered to and accepted by every other public sector employee," Mr Williams said.

"The Bracks government cannot treat Disability Carers as lesser class citizens," Mr Williams said

Further negotiations between the union and government are scheduled for late today.

"I am not optimistic of a resolution before Friday (the day of the stoppage). The government has not been prepared to progress the agenda and continues to send negotiators to the table who have no authority to settle the dispute".

Mr Williams said "the union has been prepared to meet at any time. We sought meetings over the weekend. The government did not want to meet."

For more information and schedule: Contact: Lloyd Williams, 03 93472100; Mob: 0418542799.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:58 EST