TAFE & Adult Provision Setting industry standards in the disability sector
The recent change in federal government offers hope for greater investment and improved service delivery in the disability sector. We are heartened to see the new minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Bill Shorten, included on the frontbench. However, the fight for better funding and conditions in the sector is far from over.
Negotiations with the Disability Service (NGO) for a new workplace agreement (MEA) will start soon, with the current agreement expiring on 31 December 2022. Having a multi-employer disability agreement is vital if we want to set industry standards, and the AEU will be meeting with HACSU to develop a bargaining position that ensures conditions and entitlements do just that.
The AEU is pushing to retain 15 days personal leave, along with ensuring that provisions such as portable long service leave are being appropriately implemented.
For many of our members, the ramifications of occupational violence, illness, and other health and safety issues over the last two years, have been significant.
AEU organisers and sub-branches set up structures to assist in supporting safe workplaces, but we know that access to leave for recuperation and recovery is also necessary. The AEU is pushing to retain 15 days personal leave, along with ensuring that provisions such as portable long service leave are being appropriately implemented.
This agreement can only be achieved through the involvement of union members. Member organisations that aren’t currently signed up to the agreement should contact their employer association or representative. Members are encouraged to ask non-member colleagues to join at aeuvic.asn.au/join – the more members we have, the stronger we are.
