For NSWNMA aged care delegate Linda Hardman, the latest work value pay rise is the fruit of two decades of union work for a better deal for staff and residents.

Wollongong AIN Linda Hardman arrived home from an overseas holiday to a barrage of text and social media messages congratulating her on the latest aged care work value decision.

As an NSWNMA delegate at a Wollongong nursing home, Linda has played an active part in union campaigns for aged care reform going back 20 years. She gave evidence to the Fair Work Commission in the work value case, lobbied government ministers and other politicians, gave media interviews, and took part in community rallies for a better deal for nursing home residents and staff. Hence the congratulatory messages from workmates, fellow delegates and friends when the Commission announced a further increase in award rates of up to 8 per cent for aged care AINs on top of the 15 per cent it awarded last year. “It’s a fabulous decision – I just can’t believe it,” Linda said. “It’s not only about money – it also shows the system has a bit more respect for us as workers and greater recognition of our skills. “What a privilege to be involved in helping to achieve something so historic for aged care.

“I have worked in aged care for 23 years and I never thought this would happen in my working life. “It was a privilege to take part in the work value case with other delegates – even though it was quite confronting to be giving evidence in front of the Commission. “We were lucky to have had so much support from the NSWNMA and the ANMF in preparing our case.

“We were very honest in our evidence: we didn’t pull any punches and we made sure the Commission knew the real state of the age care sector, and what actually happens on the floor. “It makes me really union-proud and also proud I was able to represent my colleagues in such an honest way.”

A MORE ATTRACTIVE CAREER

In 2023, Linda joined a union delegation to Parliament House in Canberra, where she spoke with the Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells. “I spoke from the heart and told her how I really hoped we would be able to work with her government in bringing about change. She was wonderful – I felt she actually listened to what I had to say.” Linda believes the big pay increases in aged care will cause the sector to be seen as a more attractive career option for young people. “Hopefully the pay increases and other reforms will encourage some people who have left the sector to come back. “However, we have to make sure the employers do the right thing and pass on the increase in full.

“There’s still a lot more to be done to improve the sector, but this increase gives us hope. “We want to see a world-class system for our residents, and we want our work to be respected and regarded as a speciality. You have to be special to be able to work in it and be prepared to give your all, because it’s mentally, physically and emotionally demanding. “It is a hard job but it’s also an amazing privilege to be able to look after elderly people and get the chance to make a difference in that person’s life every day – because you might be the only person they see that day.”

PROUD TO BE UNION

Linda feels proud to be an NSWNMA delegate of more than 20 years “and to know I’ve done what I signed up for, which was to represent union members.” “I’ve worked with a lot of NSWNMA organisers and they have all been wonderful mentors. I have benefited a lot from union education and training, including media training, which has given me the confidence to handle TV interviews.

“I’ve been able to learn from other delegates along the way, and to represent aged care members at the NSWNMA committee of delegates and Annual Conference.” Linda said these forums are an opportunity to keep other sectors of the nursing profession informed about the realities of aged care.

“They are platforms for us to make sure that aged care issues get recognised within the union. “As delegates in these bodies, we are able to stand up and speak without fear or favour, which shows we have a democratic union.”

Aged care funding ‘still lacks transparency’ The federal government’s Aged Care Taskforce has rejected the idea of a new tax or levy to cover the sector’s rising costs and instead suggested Australians accessing care should pay more based on their personal wealth.

The taskforce, chaired by Aged Care Minister Anika Wells and with representation from the sector, said the government should continue to be the major funder of aged care, with increased participant co contributions based on means, and a strong safety net for those with lesser means.

The government has yet to respond to the recommendations. NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish said the recommendations fail to adequately address quality of care and workforce issues, “which are the fundamental concerns that need urgent attention”.

Shaye said there needs to be greater financial transparency from providers. “We are yet to see independent evidence of aged care providers being universally financially unsustainable, especially when the royal commission evidence demonstrated so many examples of aged care being significantly profitable, often at the expense of vulnerable residents and workers,” she said.

“Until providers come clean and show transparency, the federal government and residents in these facilities should not be topping up their bank accounts. “These recommendations will not improve the workforce shortages being felt across aged care, nor will they address the quality of care being received within the facilities. “We are still seeing providers failing to comply with mandatory care minutes that were introduced as a result of the royal commission.”