… IT IS THE RESULT OF UNPAID WAGES
THE FINANCIAL ISSUES CONFRONTING LIVIENDE DIRECTLY RELATE TO THE EMPLOYER INCORRECTLY CLASSIFYING
ITS WORKFORCE FOLLOWING THE 2012 EQUAL PAY DECISION. THE EQUAL PAY DECISION AIMED TO CREATE PAY
EQUITY BY ADDRESSING THE HISTORY OF LOW WAGES IN THE COMMUNITY SECTOR. INCREASED FUNDING TO
ADDRESS THE LOW WAGES IN INDUSTRIES EMPLOYING MORE WOMEN THAN MEN WAS PROVIDED BY BOTH
STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FROM MID 2012.
Last week the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down another regarding Liviende Inc., a not for profit
employer which provides residential and day support services to people with disabilities in Northern Tasmania.
State Secretary of HACSU Tim Jacobson said “It is deeply unfortunate that the State Government is
misrepresenting the facts relating to the Liviende dispute.
“This has never been a wages claim; this case represented a systemic underpayment of wages from 2012 that
employees asked us to resolve on their behalf.”
HACSU has been advised that under Liviende’s contract arrangements, entering into Administration can result
in the the State Government ending funding. “It is beholden on the State Government to now do everything
they can to assist Liviende, its workers and those they support. There is no reason to stop funding, as the
money is there for these services to be provided.”
HACSU met with the incoming Minister for Human Services earlier in 2014, and outlined concerns as to the
situation facing Liviende. “HACSU also wrote to the Minister for Human Services on 3 September 2014 outlining
the constant rejections of a negotiated outcome, and alerting them to the risk with respect to the continuing
viablity of Liviende.
“Sadly, the Government’s response was to support Liviende in it’s third unsucessful attempt to deny paying
workers properly, by presenting a submission to the full bench matter.”
HACSU sought to negotiate a settlement on numerous occasions, both before the Fair Work Commission and in
discussions with the employer. “If the employer had taken up the opportunity, or the government had
intervened in time, it would have prevented the current precarious situation.”
HACSU is meeting today with the Administrator from Deloitte in an attempt to negotiate a deed that ensures
the Organisation continues to trade on. “It is essential that those using Liviende’s services continue to be
supported by Liviende workers; these are the employees who know them, and who are critical to their
emotional and physical welfare.”
“Once again, you have a Union trying to negotiate a solution, and a Government that seems committed to
making a bad situation worse.
“HACSU implores the State Government to step up and assist with a solution to what is a difficult situation for
everyone,” Tim Jacobson said.
Download Timeline and Letter to Minister …
TJ_-_3_Sep_2014_-_Letter_to_J_Petrusma_re_Liviende.pdf
Tim Jacobson, State Secretary HACSU
