Illawarra early childhood educators will walk off the job on Tuesday as part of an unprecedented national campaign fighting for equal pay.
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About 6500 educators throughout the country will walk off and lead a day of rolling closures.
Eight centres in the Illawarra are confirmed starters and will either close for the whole or part day.
And many educators, like Noogaleek Children’s Centre coordinator Roslynne Webb will attend a rally at Wollongong’s McCabe Park from 4.30-6.30pm to highlight their “struggle for equal pay”.
Ms Webb said early childhood educators were done with asking nicely.
The third walk off in 12 months comes on the back of “repeated inaction” by the Federal Government.
“We are losing a lot of good educators because they aren’t getting paid what they deserve,” Ms Webb said.
We are just asking the government to pay us what we are worth.
- Roslynne Webb
“We are just asking the government to pay us what we are worth. We are a professional, skilled workforce who are doing a lot more work but getting paid much less than similar professions.”
Early childhood educators earn between $21-$25 per hour. The national average for similar professions is $41 an hour.
Helen Gibbons, the assistant national secretary for early childhood union United Voice, said educators were angry and frustrated over continued inaction on professional pay.
“Everyone knows that the sector has met guidelines and that workers must have qualifications. That is why this pay inequity has to be addressed now, and addressed as a priority,” Ms Gibbon said.
Ms Webb added it was pleasing that many parents indicated they were supporting educators and would keep their children at home on Tuesday and also attend the Wollongong rally.
“Noogaleek will be closed for half a day and our parents are fine with that,” she said.
“We also have support from our CEO and board of directors, who realise we are just calling for an increase in pay rates to bring us up to the level of similar professions.”
The Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation runs the Berkeley-based Noogaleek Children’s Centre and nearby Winnanggay Preschool.
Not all child care centres will walk off on Tuesday. Please contact your local child care centre for more details.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
