Vic: Carers for intellectually disabled continue protest

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2001
Vic: Carers for intellectually disabled continue protest

Community houses in north-eastern Victoria and southern Melbourne will be without carers
for intellectually disabled residents tomorrow.

More than 240 carers who look after almost 560 residents in 100 community houses will
walk off the job as their campaign of rolling stoppages continues.

In Bendigo, members of the Health and Community Services Union rallied outside today's
special sitting of state parliament, protesting the government's failure to conclude a
new enterprise bargaining agreement.

The carers are seeking extra resources for client programs, training, improved health
and safety and recruitment and retention strategies as well as better wages.

Union state secretary LLOYD WILLIAMS says the industry is in crisis and placing some
of the state's most disadvantaged residents at risk.

He says the stoppages will continue until the government shows it's taking the issue
seriously and addresses the crisis.

AAP RTV jmw/mh/hn/jn

KEYWORD: DISABILITY (MELBOURNE)

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