The negotiations with Epworth have been difficult and protracted. Epworth seemed to want to screw down wages below rates paid elsewhere in the public and private health systems. Worse, the psychologists’ wages offer was less than for other classifications. This seemed to us to be a reflection of the fact that psychologist members had been active on the MSAV/VPA negotiating committee.

Epworth even tried to entice staff to enter into common law contracts incorporating a wage increase significantly less than being offered in the public sector and elsewhere in the private sector.

Following industrial action by members and through direct negotiation with the CEO of Epworth, the wages problem was largely resolved, with rates of pay at Epworth over the life of the agreement generally matching the public sector outcomes.

However we then received a draft agreement stripped of key conditions of employment which were agreed last year including upgraded Parental Leave, Personal Leave and Long Service Leave. Further, and of extreme concern, a long list of standard entitlements were deleted including HQAs, Shift Allowances, On-Call Allowances, 4 days Bereavement Leave, Career Break Leave, Jury Service, and Accident Pay. The document was worded so that members would actually lose these entitlements had we accepted it.

Following further discussions with the CEO, the deleted matters have been reinserted into the agreement.

Talks with Epworth yesterday have resolved the last outstanding matters and the Heads of Agreement was signed off today. Members should receive the pay increases in the next pay period.

Congratulations to the members at Epworth for their strength in holding firm.