Chants of “Shame!” echoed through the streets of Wollongong as ageing, disability and home care (ADHC) workers rallied on 3 December. The rally was part of a four-hour state-wide ADHC strike called by the Public Service Association (PSA) against the privatisation of disability services in NSW.

The privatisation move has been tied to the introduction of the National Disability and Insurance Scheme. The scheme has been lauded by both major parties for providing those in need of care and assistance with increased choice and flexibility.

“This has got nothing to do with choice; this is a government hell-bent on privatising disability services”, PSA delegate Shane Elliot told the crowd. Under the privatisation plans, thousands of public sector workers will be forced to transfer their employment to whichever private operator wins the tender to provide disability support services in the area they work in.     

More than 80 percent of these workers are women. Lindsay Hawkins, a PSA central council member, explained to Red Flag that the transfer of jobs to the private sector will further degrade conditions and job security for an already underpaid workforce.  

“A challenge to the government’s privatisation agenda will require a sustained industrial campaign”, he said. The call to strike for 24 hours was met with widespread cheers and approval from the audience.