The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) wants to begin multi-enterprise supported bargaining with Anglicare Southern Queensland, Superior Care Group, and Catholic Healthcare Limited.
It's the first time such an application has been made for aged care in Australia and if the Fair Work Commission (FWC) approves the application, it will allow the QNMU to bargain with the three operators at once.
If approved, it could allow the QNMU to "invite Federal Government representatives to join negotiations" and "could help hold private [non-Government] aged care providers to account regarding how billions of Commonwealth tax dollars are spent," a statement from QNMU said.
Multi-employer bargaining was included in the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill, and came into effect on 6 June 2023. At the time, law firm MinterEllison told The SOURCE, "We anticipate that employees and their representatives will continue to advocate for higher wages including during single and multi-enterprise bargaining.”
Why the three providers?
“In choosing Anglicare Southern Queensland, Superior Care Group and Catholic Healthcare Limited, we have selected three industry-leaders in Queensland private aged care to lead the way on this new and better kind of bargaining," QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said.
“Negotiating with numerous private aged care providers at one time will help ensure valuable nurses and carers get the best pay and conditions possible.
“It will also help set a national precedent that could positively change wages and working conditions in Australian private aged care.
“In an industry that is predominantly run on government funding, we should not be seeing such a massive disparity in the wages offered by different private aged care employers.”
Employer backing
Russell Egan, CEO of Superior Care Group, told The SOURCE, he supports the application.
"Considering their essential role in the community and the complexity of work, I consider aged care nurses to be underpaid compared to other professions.
"Currently a nurse’s top salary level in our organisation is $105,000 however many other providers pay far lower.
"An experienced senior teacher can earn $123,000 and a highly accomplished teacher can earn $130,000, however there is no such scope for recognition in the aged care award structure or Commonwealth Government funding model.
"The QNMU’s application will allow a measured examination of aged care pay and conditions, and the government’s role in addressing the workforce requirements to care for our ageing society.
"Without urgent action from the government to fund registered nurse wages at rates commensurate with other university qualified professions there will be a critical shortage as our baby boomer generation enters aged care."
A spokesperson for Anglicare Southern Queensland told The SOURCE, "Anglicare Southern Queensland has received the application and are currently considering our response."