There has been some confusion about the negotiations for psychologists employed in areas directly funded by the Mental Health Branch of the Department of Health.

This has arisen because HSU#2 Branch (HACSU) is now bargaining for allied health professionals such as social workers and occupational therapists employed in mental health under the Psychiatric Services Agreement, to the exclusion of HSU East (which covers the former HSU#3 Branch Health Professionals).

The VPA through HSU#4 (our Branch) will continue to represent and bargain for psychologists employed in all public health services, including area mental health services and state-wide services. We will be bargaining jointly with HACSU for psychologists employed at Forensicare.

In previous public sector bargaining rounds the negotiations over rates of pay and classification structure for psychologists have taken place in bargaining for the renewal of the Medical Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists public sector EBA by our Union. Any conditions particular to mental health and common to all classifications in mental health have been negotiated by HACSU under the Psychiatric Services Agreement and flowed across into our Agreement (for example, CATT on call allowance).

We are in discussions with HACSU regarding the current round of bargaining.

Please contact the office if you are experiencing any problems at your workplace over this matter.

Renewal of the Public Sector Agreement

Update

The Public Sector Log of Claims which has been served on employing health services was discussed at the meeting of members which was held on Wednesday 14 December 2011. There was a good representation of all our disciples including medical scientists, medical physicists, perfusionists, dietitians and psychologists.

A few suggested amendments to the Log of Claims have been received including the possibility of implementing a 9 day fortnight by agreement, and the provision of mobile telephones when required to be oncall.

To view the Log of Claims go to Documents -> Campaigns -> Public Sector 2012 (login first)

A number of issues around the process of bargaining were discussed at the meeting, and possible forms that industrial action might take, should that be necessary.

A summary will be available on the website after the office reopens in January 2012.

We have contacted the health services’ nominated bargaining representative the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA) seeking to meet to schedule dates and times for negotiations.

As yet we have had no response.

At this stage we anticipate convening a members’ meeting in early February 2012 to discuss progress (or lack thereof) in negotiations, and to provide feedback to members.

Meanwhile the Bailleau government is continuing its hardline approach to negotiations with the ANF, including wanting to replace registered nurses with nursing assistants, introducing split shifts and refusing to move from the policy of a 2.5% pa wage increase, which is less than the rate of inflation.

As a consequence many ANF members are considering leaving the public health system. For more details go to the ANF website:

http://www.anfvic.asn.au/

We are aware of a number of public health services which are refusing to reclassify members under the new classification structures, notwithstanding that the classification criteria are clearly being met. Please contact the office when we reopen in January 2012 if this applies to you. We will be taking up these issues with individual health services, and if necessary, will take reclassification disputes which fail to be resolved to Fair Work Australia

We wish members and their families a safe and happy holiday season.