ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
Public health across Australia is in a state of crisis. Queensland is not immune from this – and AWU members are at the forefront of the daily struggle by health workers to provide care for ordinary people in the face of bureaucratic indifference, under funding and cover-ups. It is within this context that the next round of enterprise bargaining in Queensland Health presents both opportunities and challenges for AWU members.
The current collective agreement that covers AWU members in Queensland Health will expire in September 2008. The AWU covers all operational officers who work in the Queensland Public Health Sector. These occupations include ward services officers, food services officers and operational technicians.
While the threat of Workchoices no longer exists since John Howard has exited “the Lodge”, there are still a number of conditions that workers will be seeking to protect and improve throughout the campaign. Many of these claims link directly to the ability of AWU members to provide the best possible care to Queenslanders.
While negotiations will not begin for the new collective agreement until later in the year, preparations are already underway. This will ensure that all members can have their say on what things need to be included in the log of claims for the new agreement.
Throughout the next few months, delegates will be briefed on the enterprise bargaining process so that everyone understands their role in ensuring the best outcome can be achieved.
There will also extensive consultation with members through workplace meetings so that workers at the “coal face” can have their voices heard regarding what they want to protect and improve.
During the life of the current agreement, there has been a focus on training, career progression and addressing increasing workloads across the state. While there have been some significant improvements made, things can still be better.
Another threat facing public sector health workers in Queensland is the move by the State Labor Government to investigate the use of public/private partnerships in the construction of new health facilities across the Queensland.
While this trend has emerged recently in other states, there is a real concern among members that this could lead to out-souring of jobs and a reduction in wages, conditions and the standard of service to patients.
Currently Queensland Health employees have superior pay and conditions when compared to workers who have similar occupations in private sector health. Also Private Health facilities run significantly lower staffing levels than public hospitals. When it is considered that Public Hospitals already have severe workload issues some serious concerns must be raised. Therefore, AWU members will be demanding that the Government continues its commitment to public sector employment for existing and new employees throughout Government run facilities.
Career progression will also be a key focus in the campaign for the new agreement. While Queensland Health continues to pump millions of dollars into training and development for medical staff, they continue to fall short on their commitment to front line operational staff.
“We have all experienced the consequences of penny pinching from successive Governments,” said AWU delegate from the Prince Charles Hospital Roly Burka. “While recent events have forced the Government’s hand in medical areas they cannot continue to treat operational staff as the health system’s whipping boys. We are at the front line of service delivery and are essential to the operation of hospitals. There is only so much pressure that workers can take – so we need to be strong and unified in this round of enterprise bargaining so as to ensure that the Government listens to us.”
While the recent public health crisis in Queensland, brought an acute focus from the government on improving medical services, recognition is still required from Queensland Health head office that operational services need to be resourced appropriately. This will ensure that quality services are maintained throughout all health facilities.
Officials will visit members and delegates throughout the next few months to ensure that they are ready to campaign hard to improve and protect conditions and the quality of health care.
Downloads, links and resources
- Get involved in the campaign - become a campaign contact
- Get involved in the campaign in your work site
