QHealth Members

Health workers across Queensland have spoken out today about their concerns for their families’ future if the State Government goes ahead with plans to contract out their jobs. AWU members led the charge at rallies in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Brisbane and Gold Coast. More than five thousand workers attended rallies across the state.

AWU delegate from the PA Hospital Joyanne Higginbottam told the Brisbane rally that her main concern was giving her children a chance for their future. “

Job security underpins our generations ability to buy a house and live the Queensland dream,” Joyanne explained.

“ We know that if these jobs are contracted out we would see both a cut in our wages and lose our job security – the contractors prefer casual workers, not permanents,” Joyanne said.

Workers marched on the Executive building in Brisbane to send the message straight to Premier Anna Bligh that they won’t stand for being treated like second-class citizens.

Workers at the Gold Coast heard how AWU member Shirley Arnott left her job in management because she cared too much about staff.

“ Working conditions in hospitals are now under real threat as management wants to take away basic work rights,” Shirley explained.

In Rockhampton, Paul McClintock told rally goers about his concerns for his son’s future if the State Government is allowed to privatise jobs in the health sector. Paul works in Birribi, and Intellectually Handicapped Unit, where his son is a resident.

“We have about thirty residents at Birribi. The staff here deliver a very high standard of care. Now they’re talking about getting someone off the street to replace us. Will they be able to care for the residents as well as we do?” Paul asked the rally.

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