After 15 months hard work, the review of classifications under the 2008-11 Public Sector Agreement has been finalised. This review, conducted under the auspices of FWA, arose from cl. 31 of the Agreement which nominates the specific classifications to be assessed and the terms and conditions attached to this process.

Officials of the Union worked closely with members from each of the affected classifications and many thanks are owed to them for the time and energy they have devoted to getting the best possible outcome for members.

As a result of the review, classification definitions, hospital groupings (for pharmacists and dietitians) and in some cases rates of pay have been extensively upgraded for the following classifications:

Dietitians Audiologists Medical Scientists

Pharmacists Psychologists Perfusionists

A summary of the changes for each classification is on the web site together with the full text of the new Agreement including descriptors, groupings and rates of pay. (See Documents -> Campaigns -> EB2007)

The operative date for all reclassifications will be 1 January 2011. Each health service has nominated the positions under the Agreement which will be reclassified and funding will be allocated by the Department of Health based on these assessments.

Variation of the Agreement

In order to make the new structure legally enforceable, it is now necessary to put the changes out to ballot, and assuming a positive vote, to apply to Fair Work Australia (FWA) for approval of the variations.

Ballots The ballots will take the same form as the ones conducted last year for approval of the Agreement itself. The proposed new Agreement is due to be distributed on 7 July 2011 by health services. Voting will be held over a two week period beginning 15 July 2011.

A separate ballot must be held in each health service covered by the Agreement. (The list of all health services so covered can be found at Schedule B of the current Agreement). There is no requirement as to the percentage of eligible employees who must vote, but the Act does require that of those who do vote, a majority in each service must approve the changes to the Agreement.

It is very important that a ballot is held in every health service as members will only have enforceable rights where there is a positive vote in their workplace. Members in smaller community health centres are asked to be particularly vigilant.

We anticipate that the new Agreement will go to FWA for approval by mid August 2011. After that, DoH will release funding to health services, which will be required to provide a letter to each individual who is to be reclassified informing them of their new classification and the date of effect. This should occur after health services have received funding.

Meetings of MSAV/VPA/AHP members are being held in the major health services to report on the review outcomes. If a meeting has not been scheduled in your workplace, and you and other members would like one, please contact the office.

We believe that the new classification structures are a significant win for our members and strongly recommend a “YES” vote in the coming ballots.