Negotiations resumed today regarding the renewal of the public sector certified agreement covering medical scientist, psychologist and pharmacist classifications.

“Negotiations” is a misleading term, as to date we have not been negotiating – we have been explaining our claims in detail to the VHIA and the DHS representatives. We have not received any formal offers, or any responses to the claims which we have made on members’ behalf. We are, of course, aware of the government’s ‘policy position’ which is a maximum of 3.25% increase per year. Hospitals are to be funded for only 2.5%, leaving health services to ‘find’ the missing 0.75%.

Apart from the unrealistic parameters within which so-called ‘negotiations’ are happening, the process is extraordinarily slow – so slow that it seems deliberately so.

Today we asked for an explanation for the fact that medical doctors employed in public health in Victoria achieved an increase of 4.64% plus enhanced conditions of employment, while Victorian government policy is 3.25% for everyone else. We await the answer.

We are apparently going to get a ‘log of claims’ from the employers via the VHIA this week. This will contain the employers’ list of things that they want from you. We will advise members as soon as we receive this information. We will also be calling a general meeting of all MSAV and VPA members at Trades Hall to consider a response to the VHIA and DHS position on our log of claims – once we know exactly what that is.