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$3 an hour respite workers head to the Supreme Court

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 10 Feb 2017, 5:46AM
Thousands of respite carers will be hanging their hopes for fair pay on today's Supreme Court hearing in Wellington (NZH)
Thousands of respite carers will be hanging their hopes for fair pay on today's Supreme Court hearing in Wellington (NZH)

$3 an hour respite workers head to the Supreme Court

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 10 Feb 2017, 5:46AM

The E tu Union is heading to the Supreme Court today as a last bid to get basic employment rights to thousands of respite carers.

The union is appealing a Court of Appeal ruling which reserved an Employment Court decision to grant carers the minimum wage of $15.25 an hour, holidays and other basic employment entitlements.

Respite carers get paid $3 an hour for supporting people with disabilities while family caregivers have a break.

They are acting on behalf of former respite worker, Jan Lowe, who has been battling the legal system for two years.

Assistant National Secretary John Ryall said the ruling could affect 30,000 workers.

"We've gone through each stage of the court system, and this is the highest court in the land."

He said this is their last chance for justice.

"We hope the Supreme Court recognises this is a vulnerable group of workers that give up a lot of time to do this - and they get paid a pittance."

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