This demand comes after the Health and Services Union passed a vote of no confidence against the CEO. Amongst the voters were aged care staff like Donna Roparta who has worked in facilities that are currently being managed by Southern Cross Care (TAS).
“It’s pretty horrific there at the moment. The management are saying there’s plenty of staff there but [there] isn’t. It’s written on paper but not in real life,” Ms Ropata told The Mercury.
“The reason why we stay is for the residents.”
In late July, it is alleged that staff working at Tasmania’s most-sanctioned aged care home were pressured to sign a petition in support of Ms Boyd that was created by the Southern Cross Care (TAS) executive team, and then passed on to management who were tasked with encouraging residents and staff members to sign.
Early last month, Southern Cross Care (TAS) came under fire once again after reducing kitchen hours at the Yaraandoo aged care home they currently operate.
In addition to the very public accusations being made about Ms Boyd’s tenure, HelloCare can reveal that earlier this year we received correspondence from a Southern Cross Care (TAS) staff member who had lodged a complaint to Worksafe.
The complaint accused Ms Boyd of constant bullying behaviour that had rendered the majority of staff fearful of speaking up.
In the wake of the HACSU’s recent demands for Ms Boyd to stand down, the embattled CEO revealed she has threatened legal action against the union and claims that she is being bullied and defamed by their actions.
“What’s concerning, disappointing and hurtful for me is the stress this is causing our residents and families, continually putting negative stories in the media that are factually incorrect,” Ms Boyd said.
“I find HACSU extremely aggressive and I find their bullying tactics intimidatory. I’ve not experienced that before in my 20 years in the aged care sector.”
“We have a legal team and we’ll fight it all the way,” the spokesperson told The Mercury.
“Members are very fired up about what’s happening, and no one’s going to be intimidated by threats of legal action.”
It’s about time the concerns of carers and other associated staff were taken into account
absolutely it’s management upsetting all of the carers they are working so hard I admire them and I was in aged care I saw!! the carers are fantastic
Great to see staff standing up for their rights and the families, the Aged Care Industry is in a woeful state, make no m i stake there, bullying by management and lip service to families and residents is rife, this has to stop and residents given their respect and service they are due, THEY are the ones at the end of the day keeping people employed and these facilities operating,
I was in mt esk aged care home and left because it was a terrible place to be and the staff were overworked and underpaid and now I hear that you are going to sack all the enrolled nurses and careers give out medication. that is very dangerous and I was a registered nurse once and I was shocked at the food and many other things stop treating our old you are making money for southern cross care