We have had some informal discussions with VHIA and DHS in an effort to progress negotiations. Little has come from these discussions. The Government is still refusing to agree to the same operative date it has with the nurses and is refusing to bargain in good faith with us. Therefore we have applied to the Commission for a ballot to allow members to commence a campaign of industrial action. This is a requirement of the Workchoices legislation to enable our action to be “protected”. It will however lead to delays. Because it is so close to the Christmas school holidays it is unlikely that the ballot will be conducted before February 2008.

The next meeting of our enterprise bargaining committee will be on Wednesday 5 December at 12.30. This will be followed by a further meeting with VHIA and DHS which will provide the Government with a last minute opportunity to settle this dispute.