The February 1 decision means staff in the sector — where women represent some 87 per cent of the workforce — will see their pay increase by 19 to 41 per cent spread over the next eight years.

ASU members employed locally celebrated the decision at the Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre in Katoomba on February 3.

Angelique Sasagi said staff in the sector are highly qualified and do vital work providing services to people in need in many different areas including family, youth, disability and mental health services to support for people who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or drug or alcohol addiction.

The sector also includes neighbourhood centres across the Blue Mountains.

“For me, this decision is a real acknowledgement of the work we do,” she said.

Suzie van Opdorp said staff on the lowest rates of pay within the sector will receive the largest levels of the pay increase.

“At least 75 per cent of the jobs in the sector are part-time, so the pay increase will help all these workers and hopefully it will attract new people into the sector and reduce staff turnover, which is a costly process for service providers,” she said.

Lyn Bevington said the ASU did a great job running a two-year campaign to raise awareness about the sector and its employees’ roles.

Duty Member of the Legislative Council for the Blue Mountains Helen Westwood and Labor spokesperson for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle called on the O’Farrell Government to support equal pay for local social and community service workers.

“In November 2011, Julia Gillard and the Federal Labor Government committed $2 billion to fund equal pay for social and community service workers,” Ms Westwood said.

“This is a historic victory that recognises the hard work of our local social and community service workers.”

Ms Doyle referred to a survey conducted late last year of Blue Mountains community sector organisations which showed participating organisations received about 86 per cent of their funding from the NSW Government.

“The O’Farrell Government must do the right thing and match the Gillard Government’s commitment to social and community service workers,” Ms Doyle said.