Parents opposed to the outsourcing of Altona Meadows and Altona North childcare centres have been given four weeks’ grace after Hobsons Bay council postponed adopting a new childcare policy pending further community consultation.
About 200 parents, children and Australian Services Union (ASU) members last week protested against the revised policy, which they say is designed to promote outsourcing.
Outsourcing the centres would save the council $479,000 annually.
One protester described the latest reprieve as “victory by 1000 cuts”.
In February, parents at a similar rally outside the council chamber cried tears of joy after councillors unanimously voted not to act on a motion to outsource the centres, pending an independent review.
Nearly 2700 people have signed a petition to keep the centres open.
Parents fear outsourcing would erode the quality of care their children receive and increase the cost of childcare.
The union is concerned that 40 staff would have to reapply for their jobs and, if successful, workers would retain their pay levels only until the current enterprise agreement runs out in 2016.
ASU women’s officer Jane Karslake said staff faced pay cuts of up to 25 per cent if the centres are outsourced.
“We believe someone in council is ideologically opposed to delivering human services and is hellbent on outsourcing,” she said.
“Reining in costs would undermine their arguments to outsource.”
Bronwyn Boerlage, whose children Sarah and Ryan attend the Altona North centre, said she would consider staying at home if the centre was outsourced.
“Sarah has a disability and the centre has been incredibly helpful to us as a family and I just don’t think there is a place like it in our area. I can’t speak more highly about the staff there; they’re incredible.
“If they outsource, it’s something I’m going to have to think about because I want the best care for my kids. The people make [the centre] and we’ve got an amazing group of staff working there.”
The council is expected to consider an updated policy in the new year.
