Families are being cautioned that childcare costs may increase if taxpayers don't cover the cost of the unions' demand for a 25% pay raise for Educators.
Unless the 25% pay rise is fully funded, the Australian childcare alliance anticipates an 18 per cent price increase. If not, a low-income single parent's out-of-pocket expenses can rise by as much as $34 per week.
From the 6th June, new bargaining laws came into effect that allow workers and unions to band together for a pay rise. The unions in New South Wales, Victoria the ACT are backing a 25 per cent pay increase on behalf of workers at different childcare centres and have lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission to start multi-employer bargaining.
It is only fitting that educators are the first group of workers to utilise this new system since educators enthusiastically supported the Federal Government's Secure Jobs Better Pay law last year.
The childcare industry believes that increasing pay would make it easier to retain staff which would improve the experiences of families seeking care.
References:
Childcare Staff Pay Rise - Fears It Could Drive Up Costs, 7 News Australia, 26th June 2023
Historic Negotiations Opens Doors For Pay Rises For Educators, 9 News, 6 June 2023
