
Around 50 childcare workers in Nowra will walk off the job over low income on Tuesday.
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Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre childcare staff get paid around half the national average wage according to acting director April Evans.
”We are helping families through crisis, we do early intervention to give kids the best start and we’re still considered babysitting nose wipers,” she said.
“We have a high attrition rate, a lot of us get burnt out because we’re not working for much at all.
“You do it for the love of it, not for the money.”
On what will be a day of national action for childcare workers across the country, the Nowra contingent will march up Junction Street, and end at Ann Sudmalis’ office.
The hope is, to convince Mrs Sudmalis to lobby for government assistance for childcare businesses.
Though the strike may inconvenience those who usually have their kids in childcare on Tuesday, and will have to pick them up before 2.30pm, parents have made no complaints about it.
“Everyone’s aware of what’s happening, we’ve provided plenty of notice,” April said.
“Families have been very supportive.
“We haven't had one family annoyed by it, a lot of them will be walking with us.”
Those striking also have the full support of Cullunghutti’s board of elders.