Skilled. Respected. Equal.
ASU Social and Community Services Council 2024

22 August 2024

Today, 80 ASU members working in community and disability services came together to reflect on our history as a union, and plan our campaign to fix the SCHADs award.

Secretary Angus McFarland spoke about the progress we've made as a union, and highlighted our wins over the last year including portable long service leave in NSW, saving homelessness services, paid placements for social work students, super on government paid parental leave and a 3.75% pay rise for all award workers. Angus spoke to delegates about our fight to end wage theft in the NDIS and the need to create genuine career pathways and improve training in the sector.

As the first SACS Council since the passing of Fran Hayes, the first paid organiser at ASU predecessor the ASWU, delegates reflected on her life, and the continuing significance of the Australian Social Workers' Union for our union and our award. You can read more about Fran's legacy here.

NSW Community Services Minister Kate Washington spoke about the important work members do in the sector, and ended with a Q&A with members.

A jam-packed day ended with NSW IR Minister Sophie Cotsis joining delegates to celebrate the introduction of portable long service leave in NSW.

You can watch a short video about the campaign here: