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Australian Childcare Workers Demand Better Pay With Planned Strike

3000 staffers are expected to walk off the job

Australian childcare workers will take a stand against low wages by walking off the job at 3.20pm on Thursday.

As the ABC reports, at least 3000 childcare workers are expected to take part in the strike, potentially making it one of the biggest sector walk-offs in Australia to date. 

United Voice assistant national secretary Helen Gibbons said early childhood educators earned on average just $21 per hour.

Ms Gibbon explained that many staffers could no longer afford to cover the cost of living due to low wages.

“They come in bright eyed and bushy tailed with their qualifications and work incredibly hard in really responsible jobs and do absolutely wonderful jobs for Australian children,” she said.

“And yet, when it comes to having their own families or buying their own home they just can’t do it on that salary.”

As news.com.au reports, staffers are calling on the Fair Work Commission to agree to a 35 per cent pay increase. 

A link has been drawn between low wages in the industry and early childcare work being perceived as ‘women’s work’ or done for the love of it.

The protest is the second of the year after industrial action in March.

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