Union Calls for Wage Increase - CareforKids.com.au®

Union Calls for Wage Increase
Tell us what you think about child care wages

United Voice, the union for child care workers is asking the federal government for an extra $1.4 billion annually to boost wages for child care workers without increasing fees for parents and reduce the number of people leaving the industry.

Child care workers are currently paid between $18-$20 per hour and the union is seeking to increase wages to around $26 per hour.

According to United Voice National Secretary Louise Tarrant the underlying crisis in child care is its inability to attract and retain staff due to low wages and she says the crisis will continue until wages are increased.

"How can centres keep staff when the wages are so low that workers won't consider or can't afford to do the work? This crisis cannot and will not go away until the sector has enough qualified, professionally paid workers to provide families with the quality education and care that is every child's right.

"Until wages improve the crisis will continue but neither parents nor providers can afford to pay more. We believe the only viable solution is for an injection of funds by the Government to fund the gap between the current inadequate pay and professional wages," said Ms Tarrant.

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