Pay Equity and a Strong Community Sector for the Future … The Fight Continues

Our case is nearing conclusion! As many of you would be aware, we have been campaigning over the last few years for a strong community sector able to provide quality services to vulnerable Australians into the future.

Since March 2010 we have been running our historic pay equity case; the first case of this type using the federal Fair Work Act.

During January and February, witnesses in the case, including Branch Secretary Katrine Hildyard, were cross examined in relation to their written evidence by the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Federation of Employers and Industry.

Final written submissions are now being made and final oral submissions will be heard on 11 and 12 April. We will then await the decision of the Full Bench of Fair Work Australia!

What is imperative is that we seize the unique opportunity we have before us to make history ... to finally achieve pay equity for community sector workers who are at the heart of our community.

This year, together, we can win!

Recent Campaign Activities

On 15 December members and supporters participated in an hour of action for pay equity on North Terrace in the city. This hour highlighted how crucial the work community sector workers do is at Christmas time and throughout the year. Numerous members spoke to the crowd and outlined why pay equity is so important to them, their employer and the clients with whom they work. Again, well done to all who attended and participated.

On Sunday 6 March, community sector workers and ASU staff 'paraded' their message through the streets as part of the Adelaide Fringe Parade. Thousands saw our message and received information about how they can get involved - this activity fitted perfectly with one of our key campaign goals - to raise public awareness about our campaign.

What's Next?/What Can you Do?

• organising a meeting about the campaign in your workplace;
• coming along to one of our general forums on the case and campaign and bringing others with you (check the events page for details); and
• participating in our next National Day of Action on 8 June and asking colleagues, friends and family members to come along too (more details coming soon).