‘Throw us a bone’: RSPCA staff call pay deal a dog’s breakfast
The state’s top pet rescue workers will strike outside O’Halloran Hill headquarters today claiming a new deal will cut their pay by almost 20 per cent.
RSPCA is closing its O’Halloran Hill shelter to adoptions and retail customers from 12pm today as workers engage in a two-hour strike action.
One worker who didn’t want to be named, feared staff were already at breaking point.
“We deal with a high workload and constant understaffing that is expected to be picked up by volunteers,” she said.
“We don’t get enough time to give the animals the full attention they deserve.
“We see all sorts of animal hardships, not just animals suffering but also humans who require our help with their animals during what can be the worst times of their lives.”
More than 85 per cent of staff, covered by the United Workers Union, voted no to a three-year deal put forward by the RSPCA.
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The union said the deal “attempted to slash inspectors’ pay by nearly 20 per cent, remove on-call allowances worth more than $10,000 a year, and reject basic mental health support”.
“Mental health is a massive thing for us as it’s been neglected for so long,” the worker said.
“The animal industry currently has a high rate of suicide due to the horrors we see and deal with on a daily basis.
“Unfortunately it means high burnout rate and compassion fatigue that needs to be managed so that we can give our all to the animals that have nothing.”
In a statement, the RSPCA said the deal, presented on Wednesday, was a final offer including a six per cent pay rise for employees on minimum award rates.
“This proposed increase to wages is greater than the rate of inflation and represents competitive remuneration for a charity and not-for-profit that is comparable with like organisations,” the statement read.
“In addition to the wage rise, we are offering a range of improvements to conditions.
“We believe this is a fair, competitive and positive offer that balances the feedback we have received from employees with our fiscal responsibilities.”
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The RSPCA did not respond to InDaily’s questions about mental health support by the time of publication.
The charity sent an email to all donors on their mailing list with the media statement, assuring them “RSPCA South Australia remain resolutely committed to the mission of improving the lives of animals across our state”.
United Workers Union said the pay cut for workers comes despite RSPCA receiving $22.6 million in state government funding in 2024.
The $22.6 million was a forward estimates figure from the 2024-25 budget, including $16.4 million over four years to deliver animal welfare compliance activities.
The RSPCA said last financial year it received 5125 cruelty reports – the highest in seven years.
“Inspectors seized 2045 animals in FY 24/25, up a staggering 100 per cent on the previous financial years,” the RSPCA said.
“While we welcome the much-needed increase in State Government funding, RSPCA SA is dealing with an unprecedented level of demand for our services.”
United Workers Union Lead Organiser Kelley Edwards said changes from the RSPCA to on-call allowances – which can be more than $10,000 – “had a financial detriment to our inspectors”.
“The only comments that they [RSPCA] provided back to us was they were making this decision due to work health and safety, but our inspectors relied on the allowances to increase their wages,” Edwards said.
“From the inspectorate point of view, they face trauma and danger every single day, cruelty cases, hostile environments and the emotional toll of seizing and euthanizing animals.
“It’s work that most people can never do, but yet they’re not being paid or supported accordingly.
“We risk losing them out of the industry, and that would leave animals in the community exposed.
“Wages are stagnant across the organisation, conditions are unsafe, and staff are burning out. So this action is about fairness, respect and making sure the animal care industry is sustainable into the future.”
