Women Demand Better Pay From Faye

Date: 08 March 2000

Women from the Social and Community Services (SACS) sector are to picket functions attended by Minister of Women Faye Lo' Po on International Women's Day.

They aim to keep the Minister to her word - that she supports pay equity - and demand her support for an improved NSW SACS award. The current SACS Award is the worst in the country.

The SACS sector covers non-profit community services for the aged, homeless, people with disabilities, young people, women and families in need. Faye Lo'Po is also the Minister of Social and Community Services.

ASU Secretary Alison Peters says Faye Lo'Po and the State Government should actively support a better award.

'They should explain why they can't find money for decent pay for community sector workers,' she said.

'Eighty per cent of workers in this sector are women. Faye Lo'Po is in a position where she can influence what's happening in the sector. As Minister of Women and also as Minister of Social and Community Services she should stand up and be counted and start supporting women in community services in their push for better wages.'

'At the end of the day if they don't support these services the responsibility will fall back on the Government.'

The raw deal

• Eighty percent of social and community services workers are women
• The average salary is $25,000 (the average Australian average worker earns $38,000)
• The NSW Government's refusal to fund services to meet award obligations undermines pay equity in this female dominated industry.
• NSW has the lowest award rates for Social and Community Services workers in Australia despite having a Labor Government

UNIFEM Breakfast Westin Hotel No 1 Martin Place, Cnr Pitt St. from 6.30am
The Premiers IWD Function Government House Macquarie St. Sydney Meet outside Government House gates at 5pm.

For further information

Contact:	Noel Hester
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	0417 023745
Email:	noelo@asu.org.au

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