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Issue No. 254 | 04 March 2005 |
That�s Our Team
Interview: Dot.Com Workplace: Dirt Cheap Industrial: Daddy Doesn�t Live With Us Anymore Economics: Who's Afraid of the BCA? International: From the Wreckage Politics: Infrastructure Blues History: Meat and Three Veg Savings: Super Seduction Politics: Popping the 'E-Word' Poetry: To Know Somebody Review: Off the Rails
Rev Kev: Innocent Shall Be Guilty It�s Official - Taskforce "Hopeless" Hollywood For Tropfest Evictees Experts Back Better Childcare Pay
The Soapbox The Locker Room New Matilda Parliament Postcard
Janet�s Job No Victory Royal Finger Lickers Will $20 Restore Carr? Two Ideas
Labor Council of NSW |
News Experts Back Better Childcare Pay
Early childhood experts are backing a campaign by childcare workers for new classifications that could see pay rises of more than $100 a week. Professor Jennifer Sumsion, Co-ordinator of Research at the Institute of Early Childhood at Macquarie University, has told a pay equity case that the childcare workers play a significant role in modern Australia. "The need for their expertise and specialist skills cannot be overestimated," says Dr Sumsion. "The numerous decisions, judgements and choices that early childhood staff must make in their daily work have far reaching implications for children's development, learning and well-being. "[They] must also demonstrate professional qualities that extend far beyond the qualities that uninformed commentators commonly assume and or assert are sufficient to provide adequate care for children." The Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) has lodged a claim for new classifications for childcare workers before the NSW Industrial Commission. The LHMU says the childcare pay equity case will drag pay and conditions for the state's 15,000 childcare professionals out of the 1960s. "The union is trying to build a new classification structure based on the needs of a 21st century profession which could see pay increases of more than $100 a week," says NSW LHMU president, Jim Lloyd. "Childcare workers - many with certificate and diploma training - have historically been undervalued. "A growing number of industry professionals are joining the union. It is unfortunate that we have not been able to win over the NSW employers to work in a partnership with our members, their employees, to deliver quality standards based on community expectations. The NSW LHMU is attempting to boost wages in a sector where workers are paid as low as $12 an hour.
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