Nursing union launch class action

Nursing unions have launched a landmark class action to protect the wages of
thousands of aged care workers under new Fair Work rules.
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) lodged the take home pay order on behalf of
aged care workers in NSW and Queensland, amid fears the workers could end up earning
less when the new rules kick in on July 1.
The application, thought to be the first of its type, is being viewed as a test case
by the union.
Under the Labor federal government's new Fair Work rules, minimum wages in the
sector will be made uniform across the country over a four-year transition period
starting on July 1, leading to fears of a 20 per cent cut in pay for some workers in
the two east coast states.
There are also fears "unscrupulous" employers could use the new laws to reduce pay.
But the federal government has said anyone earning less under the new regime can
apply for a take home pay order, protecting wages at current levels.
The ANF application, made in conjunction with its local branches, the NSW Nurses
Association (NSWNA) and the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU), had been made to head off
any future problems, ANF general secretary Ged Kearny said on Friday.
This was despite Fair Work Australia saying it would only make take home pay orders
if workers had actually suffered a pay cut, rather than just on the expectation of a
reduction.
"This is partly why we see this as a test case," NSWNA general secretary Brett
Holmes told AAP.
It is also believed to be the first time a union has made a take home pay order
application on behalf of a large number of workers.
A total of 284 private and not-for-profit aged care facilities in NSW and 116 in
Queensland are named in the class action, sent to Fair Work Australia on Thursday.
Ms Kearny told AAP she hopes the issue will be resolved before July 1.
The ANF's NSW branch, the NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA), said it joined the action
to protect the wages of thousands of aged care nurses at 284 facilities across the
state.
It estimates the wages of NSW aged care nurses will drop 20 per cent in July under
the new national pay regime.
"Aged care nursing pay rates are already significantly lower than nursing pay rates
in the hospital sector," Mr Holmes said in a statement.
"We cannot afford to have employers taking this opportunity to reduce those wages
even further. Such an outcome will be harmful and unfair for the nurses and the aged
care industry."
Ms Kearny told AAP many people will be watching the outcome of the case.
"This is the first time a union has used these provisions to protect workers across
a large number of employers," she added in a statement.
"Instead of waiting for employers to cut workers' wages we are getting in first to
ensure they are protected."