QHealth Members

Approximately 100 Queensland Health delegates and AWU officials from across Queensland have gathered at the AWU’s Brisbane headquarters this week to attend a 2-day conference to mark the start of the enterprise bargaining campaign for operational staff.

The AWU Queensland Health Operational Staff Conference 2008 was opened by Queensland Branch Secretary Bill Ludwig and Queensland Branch President Garry Ryan on Thursday 27 March. The large-scale health conference is the first of its kind to be held by the union in Queensland.

During the conference a number of AWU officials and industrial advocates spoke at length about the mechanisms of the enterprise bargaining process, the need to engage members and potential members at a workplace level and ways in which union membership can be encouraged.

At the conference Bill Ludwig spoke about the vital role played by Queensland Health staff in the operational stream across Queensland.

“On behalf of the union, I am heartened is to see such a strong turnout of delegates at this conference from a number of public hospitals across the state. Without the vital contribution of these people, the health system could not survive. In going away from this conference it is hoped that delegates will recognise the need to stand collectively to ensure the best possible outcome for this campaign”.

The next step in the EB process will be the preparation of a log of claims, which after being collated, will be put out to members across the state.

Subsequent meetings of operational staff will be held throughout the year as part of the campaign.