Support workers protest over pay
BY BLAIR ENSOR
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Marlborough Idea Services staff who belong to the Service and Food Workers Union continue to push their case for a pay rise – this time with a vocal protest on the streets of Blenheim.
Last Monday night, unionised community support workers nationwide who cared for intellectually disabled residents in group homes refused to work overnight, after six weeks of failed pay negotiations.
The Blenheim members' industrial action escalated to an hour-long protest yesterday afternoon in Market Place and another sleepover boycott last night.
Action will continue tonight and on three nights next week if the union's pay demands are not met.
The union has been negotiating a 2 per cent pay increase with IHC on its members' behalf since October last year, but those members are instead being offered a 12-month pay freeze.
Although IHC received a 2 per cent increase in funding from the Ministry of Health in July last year, it has not passed that on to its staff.
The IHC's Idea Services operates 10 residential homes in Blenheim for 50 residents with intellectual disabilities.
Local union member Glennys Young, who has worked with the intellectually disabled for about 26 years, said she enjoyed the work but wages needed to increase to cover the rise in the cost of living.
"We are not very well paid for the job we do. It's a high-needs job."
Local union delegate Helen Ayers said local Idea Services staff worked long, antisocial hours and often missed out on family events. A pay rise would recognise that, she said.
"We give more than 100 per cent and we expect the same back."
- The Marlborough Express
