Community and disability workers are pursuing the largest pay rise in decades in an historic claim, as the government continues to defend significant cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Australian Services Union will push for a 35 per cent wage increase for 300,000 workers in the claim, citing the growing demands and complexity of their roles.
ASU national secretary Emeline Gaske said the workforce, which is overwhelmingly made up of women, has been undervalued and underpaid for decades.
"We surveyed our members and what they told us was stark. More than half say they cannot get ahead financially. One in three won't have enough to retire on," she said ahead of the claim being filed on Wednesday.
"As the sector continues to grow and demand for workers is surging, we cannot afford to lose workers because pay is failing to keep up with the cost of living. Something has to give, and that something is pay."
