EMPLOYER CAMPAIGN TO DEREGULATE WORKING HOURS

Area of Science:

• Industrial Relations
• Aged Care Sector
• Employment Law

Background:

• A significant campaign by aged care employers aims to eliminate protections for part-time employees.
• These protections ensure predictability in work hours and days for aged care staff.
• The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has been actively opposing these changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the ANMF's resistance to employer-led changes affecting part-time aged care workers.
• To highlight the importance of predictable work arrangements in the aged care sector.
• To analyze the impact of removing employee protections on aged care workforce stability.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of industrial relations disputes and negotiations within the aged care sector over the past five years.
• Review of ANMF campaign materials and employer proposals.
• Case study approach examining specific instances of conflict.

Main Results:

• The ANMF has successfully resisted employer efforts to remove protections for part-time aged care employees.
• Key protections regarding predictable work hours and days remain in place.
• The campaign highlights ongoing tensions between employer demands and employee rights in aged care.

Conclusions:

• The ANMF's sustained resistance has preserved crucial employment protections for part-time aged care workers.
• Maintaining predictable work arrangements is vital for the aged care workforce.
• Further vigilance is required to safeguard employee rights against employer-driven changes.