Many members spoke passionately about the need to pay proper salaries in the public health system in Victoria to keep staff working in this State and in public health.

Salaries for comparable positions are up to $50,000 more in NSW. Victoria is losing highly qualified and experienced members to other states and overseas.

The Health Minister, Daniel Andrews, has refused to meet us.

The government has yet to make an offer. We will be back in private conference on Wednesday and unless progress is made we will be stepping up the pressure.

Members at today’s meeting at the Alfred Hospital passed the following resolution unanimously:

This meeting condemns the Brumby Government for its refusal to settle our long-running enterprise bargaining dispute.

We call on the HSU #4 BCOM to meet as a matter of urgency to develop the next stage of our campaign in which all options for pressuring the Government should be considered.

We note that our fight is not with hospitals or patients, but the Government's intransigence leaves us with no option but to shut down the hospital system if this is what it takes.

We resolve to continue the campaign until a satisfactory offer is made.

A second motion from the floor that future strikes are for at least 48 hours was also passed unanimously by the meeting.