Friday, October 02, 2015

PSA: Disability carers discuss strike action over privatisation of the sector

The Public Service Association (PSA) says carers of disabled people in the Hunter have been given no choice about moving to the private sector, once the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS) is fully rolled out.

Under the agreement signed with the Commonwealth, employees of Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) will be moved across to the NDIS by July 2018.

PSA members will meet today to discuss their concerns and the possibility of strike action.

The association's Steve Turner said carers currently provide care to around 150 clients in the Hunter, and they are concerned for their future.

"14,500 people working for what's known as ADHC will be terminated or moved across the the private sector," he said.

"These people aren't being given any choice about wether they wish to stay with the public sector, stay with their service or go across with the new provider.

"The people accessing ADHC services are not being given any choice."

Mr Turner said PSA members are meeting today to discuss what action to take.

"This action is about the fight for choice and the fight for employee protections," he said.

"But these people are quite often voiceless, and so our members have had enough, and they are going to show it through taking action.

"Just to reassure the community, they are going to do it in a way that doesn't affect the clients."

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