With the Federal Election on 21 May and a 25% wage increase case being heard before the Fair Work Commission, union-affiliated workers at eight providers in three states are staging a 24-hour strike on Tuesday.
The United Workers Union (UWU) claims members will refuse to work at 160 aged care homes, caring for about 12,700 residents.
It added the strike will affect the biggest aged care provider in Queensland (Blue Care), in South Australia (Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) Inc) and Western Australia (Aegis), along with other major providers in those states.
Aegis CEO and Proprietor Michael Cross said UWU had informed the operator it was a five-hour stoppage. Aegis employs more than 3,400 staff; of these, only 14% belong to the union, with just 7% voting to strike.
He condemned the union’s action, adding Aegis' duty of care to residents would be maintained as normal.
