The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says youth workers at Bimberi have faced severe and systemic underpayment over the years, with workers losing hours of pay a week for essential onsite security and equipment checks. Some youth workers at Bimberi have accumulated up to hundreds of hours of unpaid time.
After 12 months of bargaining, the ACT Government initially proposed a 10-minute allowance and later discussed 20 minutes. The union is urging the Barr Government negotiate fairer conditions for Bimberi youth workers that pay them properly.
As well as this, the union is also seeking a meal allowance which to date has been rejected by the Barr Government.
Members have also raised barriers to progressing through the pay scale as a concern to the union, with workers previously completing the required certificate onsite at Bimberi or locally through the Canberra Institute of Technology - both of which are now unavailable.
The CPSU says they will take ongoing industrial action at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre until the ACT Government engage in meaningful negotiations over pay and conditions.
Quotes attributable to Rebecca Fawcett, CPSU National Secretary
"Bimberi youth workers do important work in supporting rehabilitation and education, and community safety. The Barr Government needs to recognise this by paying these public sector workers properly.
"At a time when workers are facing cost of living pressures, we need to make sure ACT public sector employees are compensated correctly so they can continue providing important services Canberrans rely on."
Quotes attributable to Maddy Northam, CPSU Regional Secretary
"Bimberi youth workers are required to complete essential security and equipment checks before they can reach their posts, yet they are not paid for that time.
"These workers are simply asking to be paid for the work their employer requires them to do."
"They also lose a significant portion of their meal breaks moving through the secure facility, while working in an environment where they cannot freely access basic amenities.
"Members have had enough - Bimberi youth workers will keep taking action until the ACT Government comes to the table with a fair offer that respects the work they do."
