The union representing Radius employees has called on the organisation’s bosses to guarantee its staff receive entitlements, telling disability service it will be “watch[ed] like a hawk”.
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Forty general employees at the disability care and employment agency were made redundant on Monday when Radius entered administration, while the positions of 180 more staff – including 130 living with a disability – remain unclear.
Health Workers Union secretary Diana Asmar said the organisation’s closure was the result of a series of poor business decisions and workers were entitled to “every single cent” they were owed.
“It’s bad enough that Radius workers are losing their jobs because of the bad decisions of management, they should not have to suffer the insecurity of not knowing whether their entitlements will be paid,” Ms Asmar said.
They should not have to suffer the insecurity of not knowing whether their entitlements will be paid.
- Diane Asmar, HWU secretary
She demanded the payout extend to Radius’ supported employees, people living with a disability whose wages were supplemented by government grants.
Ms Asmar also implored other disability agencies who might employ Radius staff to recognise the employees’ length of service.
“The Health Workers Union will be watching this process like a hawk. Too often, we’ve seen workers put into the position where they are the last cab off the rank when it comes to getting paid what they are owed,” Ms Asmar said.
“Management must do the right thing.”
Speaking to the Bendigo Advertiser this week, Radius chairman Russell Robertson said he believed there was “more than adequate funds” to pay employees their outstanding wages and entitlements.
“Payment of staff entitlements is the number one priority of the administrators, legally,” he said.
Administrators PPB Advisory said the company was organising a meeting for employees, clients and their families next week. A creditors’ meeting is already slated for next Thursday.