Community workers seek better pay

AFTER a day at work supporting young people with disabilities, Renae Green often finds she is in short supply of the emotional energy.

HELPING THE COMMUNITY: Renae Green (left) of Red Inc, and Naomi Worrall of North Coast Community Housing support at the Australian Services Union pay increase rally at the Lismore Workers Club. Picture: David Nielsen

AFTER a day at work supporting young people with disabilities, Renae Green often finds she is in short supply of the emotional energy her own teenage children demand.

“I call it compassion fatigue. You give and give and give but you can't have an off day at work. You have to be professional. So as a consequence my children miss out on a lot of my emotional energy,” the single mother said.

Despite the impact her job with Red Inc has on her family life and the 'inadequate' wage of $20 an hour she receives, Ms Green continues to work in the community services sector because she loves it.

“It is just such a fulfilling job. I feel incredibly proud and privileged to work in a community-based organisation.”

But Ms Green would also like to see wages increased in the sector to reflect what she and her colleagues are worth.

She was one of about 60 Australian Services Union members who gathered at Lismore Workers Club yesterday to demand better pay.

Workers doing the same job in Queensland and in the public service earn about 30 per cent more than NSW social and community service workers, the union says.

Originally published as Community workers seek better pay