A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Speaking Up For You Inc. for its Speaking Up For You Enterprise Agreement 2016 has been approved by Commissioner Lee in Melbourne on the 18 January 2017.
January 17, 2017
Disability services provider Kira has appointed not-for-profit executive Vik Jeyakumar to lead the organisation as its new chief executive from February 6. Based in Perth’s northern suburbs Kira was founded in 1992 and is funded through the Disability Services Commission, providing individualised programs and tailored to the needs and outcomes of people with a disability.
November 10, 2016
The “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) – New South Wales Branch and Quad Services have a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Deputy President Dean in Hearing Room 14-2 – Level 14 in Sydney.
November 10, 2016
When volunteers visited the 21-year-old woman, who had a severe intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, she clung to one of them sobbing. Her visitors, who came from the Office of the Public Advocate, had watched as she was half-carried, half dragged from a taxi by her carers, falling several times as she was brought inside the residential care facility. When the visitors questioned staff from the government-funded residential home about the woman’s swollen elbow, staff claimed that she “did not really feel pain” and she had “an extreme tolerance – even indifference – to pain”. They claimed they could distinguish between the different cries she made. They left her sobbing. Community Visitors, and the Office of the Public Advocate – which supports them – raised repeated fears over eight months about the woman’s safety. This included a written notice to the Department of Health and Human Service’s division deputy secretary in January, warning of “grave” concerns about her wellbeing, safety and dignity. She was fed propped in a beanbag, despite the choking risk it posed, in a house that lacked the safety equipment she needed. The woman died in hospital five months ago, two days after her 22nd birthday. Her death is now under Coronial investigation. Her plight is just one of the horrific failures uncovered by the Office of the Public Advocate’s community visitors – volunteers who visit people living in disability services and mental health facilities, and people in supported residential services. The office’s annual report shows community visitors’ reports of abuse, neglect and assaults in the sector rose to 321 in the past financial year, up from 265 the previous year – a 21 per cent increase. They include assaults made against staff, by staff, and between residents.
November 2, 2016
An application for approval of the Disability Living Incorporated Enterprise Agreement 2016 (s.185 – Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement) will be determined by Commissioner Saunders in the Fair Work Commission at Terrace Tower 80 William Street East Sydney.
October 20, 2016
The Australian Education Union and Peter Harcourt Disability Services are negotiating a s.786 (Application for an order re failure to notify or consult registered employee associations and terminations) before Deputy President Hamilton in Court 3 & Conference Room B – Level 6 in Melbourne.
October 20, 2016
The National Disability Insurance Agency is dealing with a 2.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) lodged with Commissioner McKenna by Sutch.
September 23, 2016
Former gaming attendant, Kim Colgrave, was overcome with emotion as she spoke of a career change to the disability sector and what it had meant. Ms Colgrave and seven other jobseekers participated in Devonfield Enterprise’s ‘Get Set for Work’ in the disability industry training program, which aimed to inspire people to look at disability care as a job option. “This course has brought the best out in me, it’s somewhat of a life changing experience. I didn’t have any idea of what was involved but through undertaking it I have made the decision that I want this as a career,” Ms Colgrave said. Project manager Karin Febey, of Devon Training and Employment Services, the provider of the Department of State Growth’s Work and Training Pathway Pilot program for demand led industries, said the disability sector was undergoing major reform in relation to the provision of disability support and care. Devonfield Enterprises boss, Steve Daley, said with the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to be completed by July 2019 it was expected the disability sector would require 5000 new people to fill jobs in Tasmania and the aged sector would need an equivalent number.
