Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority kept workers on ‘trainee wages’: CPSU

Some workers at the Port Arthur Historic Site have been kept on ‘trainee wages’ for more than two decades, says a union. What they’re getting paid >>>

Tasmania’s public sector union has accused the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) of stiffing its workers, claiming some staff have been left languishing on trainee wages for more than 20 years.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says a number of Port Arthur employees are being kept on Band 1 salaries, which denote entry-level work.

The PAHSMA Staff Agreement 2019 dictates that a worker classified in the lower range of Band 1 earns an annual income of as little as $45,869, while those in the upper range of the band earn up to $56,001.

The Port Arthur historic site and open air museum, on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

The management authority insists that all of its staff are paid above the minimum wage and that its Band 1 workers “are not on trainee wages”.

CPSU assistant secretary Tom Lynch said the union’s members were “fed up by the inaction” of Port Arthur management and called for staff to be paid consistently and fairly.

“Port Arthur is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Tasmania and a key employer on the Tasman Peninsula,” he said. “Its loyal workers kept the site running through the pandemic, risking their health and the health of their loved ones to educate tourists about the cruel history of the site.”

“The CSPU is aware of workers at Port Arthur who have been placed on trainee wages for upwards of 20 years (with) many life milestones categorised by struggling to make ends meet.

“Despite a string of commitments to address this, including a recent promise to cap the trainee wage to one year, nothing has actually been done.”

Mr Lynch said the long-term use of Band 1 salaries across the State Service “constitutes wage theft”.

Tom Lynch from the CPSU. Picture: Richard Jupe

The PAHSMA is responsible not only for the Port Arthur Historic Site, but also the Coal Mines Historic Site and the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site.

A spokeswoman for the management authority said current Band 1 employees were paid in line with the staff agreement.

“There is a salary range applicable to Band 1 employees and long-term employees would be paid at the top of this salary range,” she said.

“As part of the last agreement negotiations, it was agreed to review classifications, including Band 1. The parties acknowledged this is a significant task, to be undertaken by the Port Arthur Industrial Consultative Committee.

“Due to (the) complexity of the task, it was agreed that some aspects may be implemented before the end of the current agreement, but other aspects may be ongoing.”

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