Human service work: outsourced, gendered and undervalued – the case for unions and advocacy for a full, fair and equitable wage - AKL

Successive governments have chosen to outsource an expanding range of services.  Either way, as public or private services, much human service work is gendered, not paid anywhere near what a male workforce might expect and is at the mercy of contractors anxious for their margins. The work of women is undervalued as wage work and as housework.

This is not in the best interests of families, communities or the New Zealand economy as the space within which people live. Do we have the democratic ability to change? Can we do better? Let’s restore the role of union advocacy for workers’ pay and conditions and get back to having a robust and effective economy.

A basic tenet of contracting out is competition between providers. It means a ridiculous amount of time spent on tendering for contracts. Change is the only constant. It is merely a race to be the cheapest. Under-funding has led to the erosions of services, too often carried by women working in caring role for less pay than a male with equivalent skills and responsibilities.

Hear Erin Polaczuk, PSA National Secretary, speak about the Wellington Campaign supporting Kristine Bartlett with her claim and Petria Malloch now working for Etu Union