Consultations are continuing with Alfred CAMHS re restructuring associated with the extension of the service to 18-25 year olds. Discussions are focusing on creating career paths for psychologists and ensuring that there are sufficient P3s to provide supervision.

We have now established Symbion Health’s extensive ‘log of claims’ wish list. Symbion management wants to reduce core entitlements including accrual of sick leave. And rather than offer increased wages in exchange, Symbion wants to pay less than their competitors. This is in the context of the MSAV agreements with St John of God, Gribbles, Cabrini and Melbourne Pathology over wages which deliver parity with the public sector with no loss of entitlements.

Management has announced a ‘restructuring’ of the Gippsland Pathology Warragul laboratory, due to a reduction in private work. The restructure involves the redundancy of 1.0 EFT scientists as well as the loss of all laboratory assistant and data entry positions. Peter Gioulekas will be at the laboratory tomorrow to meet with members, as well as with management. Members adversely affected by any proposed changes in rostering and duties or who have received notice that their position is to be made redundant should contact Peter.

We will be organising members’ meetings to discuss the Gribbles pay offer for technicians and scientists. The offer matches market rates of pay. We will be seeking member feedback.

Due to technical issues with the dates of the vote, the St John of God Pathology certified agreement will need to go out to vote again. As before, the Union recommends a YES vote in the second ballot.

Members at St Vincent’s have contacted the MSAV and advised that in December a portion of the annual leave accruals shown on their payslips has simply disappeared.  Efforts of the members concerned have been hampered by payroll insisting that the reduced leave is the correct balance but in two cases there has not been an explanation as to why the higher amount showed on previous payslips.  It is unclear at this stage whether the reduced accruals or the higher accruals are in fact correct.

We are still trying to sort out payments for Boxing Day 26 December 2010 for members employed Monday – Friday full-time in the public sector. We will take the matter to FWA if the matter does not get fixed this week.

Dorevitch Pathology and Gippsland Pathology

Following the return to work of members locked out by Symbion Health (Dorevitch and Gippsland Pathology) negotiations for a new EBA have commenced under the auspices of FWA (Fair Work Australia). The first conference took place yesterday. We have been presented with a ‘log of claims’ from management which seeks to radically reduce scientists’ terms and conditions of employment.

As if this were not enough, management has refused to pay members taking part in the negotiations on the basis that because scientists took industrial action, the company is not going to pay them to attend FWA! Notwithstanding the company’s position, members of the MSAV EBA Committee employed at Dorevitch and GP will be attending the negotiations, and we will be pursuing the matter of payment for members attending in another forum.

The results of the 2007 survey of workers registered with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria have been released, with less than 20% of respondents falling under the AHP’s jurisdiction.

The survey has revealed many interesting trends, and covers everything from age, gender and location to the future employment intentions of pharmacists in Victoria.

Of those surveyed:

• 55% were female
• 69% were born in Australia
• 80% worked in the private sector
• 50% of the female workforce is aged under 40, while only 30% of the male workforce is

Our offices will be closed for the Australia Day public holiday on 26 January 2010 and on 25 January 2010, when staff will be taking an ADO.