IHC workers fed up: This is why...

[IHC workers are taking action. Local SFWU organiser, Chas Muir, takes the opportunity to tell us why they feel they have no choice.]

Over 3000 SFWU members employed by IHC have started a campaign of industrial action to break an employer-imposed wage freeze. The action has taken the form of a “work-to-rule”.  This involves bans on non-essential paper work, driving private vehicles on the employer’s business and on overtime.

From the week beginning Monday 29 March there will be a one-day ban on working sleepovers, which is the period in IHC residential facilities (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) when the support workers move off their hourly rate to be paid a rate of between $3.00 and $4.00 an hour for being on call to support up to five residents.

After that, from the week beginning Monday 5 April this ban will increase to two days and in the week beginning Monday 12 April there will be a three-day ban. The SFWU members are being forced into this action because of IHC’s refusal to consider any increase in wage rates for its front-line disability support workforce, despite having already received a 2% increase from the Ministry of Health for running its residential services.

SFWU National Secretary John Ryall said that IHC was breaking a five-year pattern of passing on Ministry of Health funding increases to their front-line workers’ wages. “While it is appreciated that IHC transport, food and other costs have gone up, its services would not exist without the invaluable role that their workforce plays.”

IHC community support workers are currently paid a base rate of $14.20 an hour and can move up to $15.43 an hour after two year’s service. The SFWU is seeking a 2% increase on these pay rates.

SFWU Organiser Chas Muir says, "It is very regrettable that these valuable workers have been forced to take industrial action. The fundamental issue is that of inadequate government funding, but it is reasonable and fair for workers to expect the ‘pass on’ in wages of the 2% that IHC/ IDEA Services have received."