Salvo workers out

About 100 workers at the Salvation Army Westcare will strike for eight hours today in protest at what they say are poor wages and conditions at their Sunshine workplace.

Phyllis Downward, who has worked at Westcare for 11 years, said the workers had become frustrated at the army's failure to negotiate a first collective deal with them. "We've been fighting this for three-and-a-half years to get an agreement and to get a pay rise," she said.

Staff will also rally at their Sunshine office today in what is an unusual strike at the Salvation Army. Ms Downward said Westcare staff worked "with some of the most vulnerable kids in the state" but were paid the base award rate.
"I can't believe the Salvation Army are supposed to be caring for people but they are not caring for their workers."

ASU organiser Leon Wiegard said the Salvation Army offer was "nowhere near acceptable to our members". He said the Army refused to offer penalty rates for 12-hour shifts or paid parental leave while the pay offer was too low.

Mr Wiegard said the army agreed to negotiate with them only after being ordered to by Fair Work Australia. Ms Downward said Westcare was "falling apart" with many staff leaving. "What we are asking for is not unreasonable in any shape or form."