LHMU - UNION ACTIVE

Better wages and conditions - more money for Christmas

To make this happen, union members sat down to negotiate with ABC management in August. Childcare members signed pledges, wrote to the receivers, and supported the negotiating team with photos and posters.

Your hard work has paid off!

Union members have won some great improvements in a new agreement about ABC wages and conditions:

• 2% pay increase in 2009, 2.3% in 2010, and 3% in 2011
• 2 hours programming time in all states
• Reduction in cuts in hours for part timers (down from 30% to 20% over Christmas and 15% for the rest of the year)
• Staff discounts as part of the agreement (this means they can't be taken away)
• One paid staff meeting a year with the chance to hear about union members' campaigns in childcare
• Paid training time for union delegates.

This win is even more amazing because it was done while ABC was in receivership. It really shows what staff can achieve by working with other union members.

Staff will have access to the agreement before voting begins. Speak to your local manager or union delegate to find out how you can vote.

New owners of ABC - Good Start

Good Start is a not for profit company run by charities and philanthropic organisations including Mission Australia, The Benevolent Society, Brotherhood of St Laurence and Social Ventures.

Good Start has experience operating childcare centres. They told the union they were interested in operating childcare centres for at least the next 10 years. Because the company does not need to pay shareholders profits - more money can be devoted to developing higher quality education and care in ABC centres.

Union members decided Good Start was the best option for ABC staff and families. Members helped Good Start win the bid by speaking to investors, federal and state governments, sector stakeholders and all the potential buyers.

Kylie Schneider (pictured below) from ABC Cherrybrook represented members on the negotiating team said:

"This year's been a difficult one- it's great to end the year on a high. Not only do we have a good agreement improving our wages and conditions but we also have a new owner. I'm proud of the work union members have done- we couldn't have won without your activity."

Members were hoping for a reputable, stable owner committed to childcare in the long term.

There were two main contenders to buy ABC: Archer Capital and Good Start.

Archer Capital is a private equity firm and told the LHMU they would sell centres again in 2-3 years time. They said they needed to minimise labour and regulatory costs so they could sell for a higher price, and had no childcare experience but did own companies like Rebel Sport, Cellarmasters and Sulo bins.

What can I do next?

• Join with others staff in your union- LHMU the childcare union
• Make 2010 the year of the childcare worker by participating in the BIG STEPS in childcare campaign
• Speak to other staff about the information in this update

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Photos: Union members at ABC on the negotiation team (Kylie Schneider ABC Cherrybrook, Anya Errey ABC Orange, Christine Flisk ABC Morningside).