The meeting of job representatives and members held at Trades Hall last week decided to strengthen the protected industrial action currently underway at health services where members have been successfully balloted.

As per that resolution (refer Stat 834) we have notified the relevant employers that from Tuesday 7 August 2012 the industrial action will include:

• Ban on performance of non-clinical/ non-scientific duties
• Ban on higher duties unless backfilled
• Ban on responding to emails
• Ban on training and student placement
• Ban on moving between campuses in a multi-campus health service
• Ban on risk management entries (OHS exempted)
• Ban on court work
• Ban on assessments for non-medical reasons
• Ban on psychology-specific consultations in multi-disciplinary areas
• Ban on attendance at meetings that are not fully backfilled
• Delays and limitations on non-urgent testing and release of reports
• Paid overtime bans

Members are advised to tailor the bans to suit the circumstances of their own department or discipline – they are designed to impact on management and not to impact directly on patient care. If in doubt, ring the office on 9623 9623 or Email your industrial officer.

Wednesday 15 August 2012 is the date on which we will call a members meeting at Trades Hall to vote on strike action, if no significant progress has been made in negotiations.

The meeting will need to consider the timing of strike action and where it will occur.

Put the date in your diary.

We are meeting with VHIA and the Department of Health again tomorrow and Friday. Watch for Updates.

Members’ Views of the Current Impasse

Members are extremely frustrated (as are we) that yet again our members are forced into industrial action in order to bring the hospitals and the government to the bargaining table.

This time it is not only a question of getting agreement around well-deserved pay rises (the last increase was in December 2010) but also to protect what you already have which the government wants to take away from you – such as Higher Qualifications Allowances, Principal Scientists positions and the Medical Scientists Merit Review process. Then there is the question of forcing pharmacists into 24 x 7 shift work.

Q: Why do we have to take industrial action?

A: Because the government has demonstrated that it will not take bargaining seriously until you do.

In the words of one member:

I am committed to supporting these bans, although I do struggle with the morality of a process that to me seems to be designed to give a morally bereft government a justification for when they finally come to the table and negotiate with our union with some modicum of reasonableness.

If you are frustrated with the government’s inaction why not Email the Premier, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
the Minister for Health This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and/or your local member?

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/assembly

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/council
Click on the name for the MP’s contact details