In November 2024 Singleton Council, with support of USU organisers, signed onto the ECEC Splinter Award – which was an amendment to the award to be eligible for the increase payment for people working in childcare.
In February 2025, I sent an email to the Director of Community Capacity asking for an update and was advised that Singleton Council still hadn’t decided if they were going to apply for the additional funding – this means that their staff may not receive a well-deserved pay increase that was being offered to the rest of the sector.
I then reached out to USU Organiser Zoe O’Rourke who connected me with Ryan McQuade and the team who were discussing this matter with many Councils. Ryan liaised with council and organised a meeting with members at Singleton. It was through these interactions and because of the USU that Council sent through their application.
Recently we were notified that Council’s application had been approved for the WRP (workers retention payment) and Council is currently awaiting the next steps.
Educators have been informed that they will be back paid to December 2024.
Thanks to everyone involved – this is a fantastic win!
Cassandra Sumners
USU Delegate and Supervisor Mobile Preschool – Singleton Council
