NATION AWAITS ELECTION OUTCOME
As the entire nation awaits the election outcome, the HSU is committed to protecting and fighting for better rights at work on behalf of all health workers.
As this is the second election where WorkChoices were an issue amongst working Australians, the HSU remains concerned that there is still no detailed Industrial Relations policy from the Coalition.
The HSU is also extremely concerned about the outcome of the election and what it will really mean for health workers and the delivery of health to working Australians.
The HSU respects that the final election outcome is still to be decided and knows that whichever party forms Government, the HSU will continue to fight for improved workplace rights and conditions and will keep on holding the Government accountable for Industrial Relations policy.
HEALTH AND ALLIED SERVICES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS VICTORIAN PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE INCREASE
Members working in the Health and Allied Services, Administrative Officers Victorian Public Sector were due for their wage rise of 3.25% per annum on the 31st July 2010. Members in this sector should receive this pay rise on the first full pay period on, or after the 31st of July, 2010. If you have not received your wage rise please contact the HSU on 1300 723 733.
PROUD WIN FOR DOREVITCH MEMBERS
Members will recall in June this year the HSU had a win in Fair Work Australia, after Symbion Health who own Dorevitch and Gippsland Pathologies withdrew a proposed agreement pertaining to Couriers.
The withdrawal comes after the Union put a detailed submission to the commission in relation to defects in both the agreement itself and in the process of voting the agreement.
The agreement stood to:
Dorevitch were again asking staff to vote on several inferior agreements including Collectors, Couriers and Support Staff.
The Couriers and Collectors staff at Dorevitch should be very proud of their efforts. On Monday the 30th August staff voted down both non union agreements that were proposed by Dorevitch. The members and staff have remained strong and have sent a very clear message to Dorevitch, illustrating they are not prepared to accept sub standard agreements. The ballot count resulted in:
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Couriers - 99 VOTING NO, 29 Yes
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Collectors - 350 VOTING NO, 82 Yes
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The voting process for the Support Staff will commence on the 27th of August, 2010 and close on Friday the 10th of September, 2010. Once again we encourage members and staff to VOTE NO.
Only two modifications were made by Dorevitch after the hearings in the Fair Work Australia (FWA) Tribunal and these new agreements still fall well behind industry standards with entitlements such; as sick leave, long service leave, rosters, regular casuals and annual leave for weekend workers.
Meetings are being held throughout different suburbs of Melbourne and the HSU encourages all members and non-members to attend these very important meetings to discuss the course of action. For further information on meeting dates please call HSU Organisers David Irwin, Charlie Butler or Charlie Volpe on 03 9341 3333.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE IS HERE AT LAST
After a 30 year long campaign by working women, unions and the ACTU, the Senate on the 17th of June brought Australia into line with most of the Western world by passing legislation setting up the nation's first paid parental leave scheme.
New working mums and dads will now be eligible to receive $570 a week in parental leave from January 1 2011.
The historic decision means eligible parents will be entitled to 18 weeks paid at the federal minimum wage - currently $569.90 a week, or $15 an hour.
HSU State Secretary Marco Bolano said it was an historic achievement for Australia's working mums, who will have better health and financial security.
Expectant mums must earn no more than $150,000 a year to qualify and work at least 330 hours in 10 of the 13 months before their due date.
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR DISABILITY AND YOUTH SUPPORT WORKERS
There is plenty occurring in the Disability and Residential sector. Member meetings are being held in record numbers, the landmark case for Equal Pay is about to commence before a Full Bench of Fair Work Australia (FWA) and after the successful campaigning by members and their Unions, the Premier John Brumby has publically announced that they will fund the decision of FWA if re-elected. This is great news, as historically one of the greatest impediments to success has been the limitation of Government funding.
This case seeks value for the important work that employees in this sector do every day. If the case is successful, it is expected employees in this sector see wage increases and improvements to conditions.
If you do not have a copy of the claims the union is pursuing, or would like to hold a members meeting please contact your HSU Organisers Derek Bell or Dustin Behrens on 03 9341 3333.
Your involvement in this campaign is critical. Not only is it about wage justice for you and the benefit of your profession, it will have a flow through effect of making life better for the people who depend on your support. Get involved today.
MINIMUM WAGE LIFTED $26 A WEEK FROM JULY 1.
AUSTRALIA'S lowest-paid workers will get a $26 a week, or 69c per hour, wage rise from July 1.
The decision, from Fair Work Australia on the 3rd of June will impact on about 1.4 million award-dependent workers and breaks the drought after wages were frozen for almost two years under the Howard Government?s wage-setting tribunal.
The $26 a week minimum wage rise will help working families meet increases in the cost of living after having been left behind under WorkChoices.
The rise brings the minimum wage to $570, or $15 an hour. The result will anger employer groups, who had called for a much more modest rise.
The Australian Industry Group backed a $12 rise.
The decision marks Fair Work Australia's first case since it replaced the previous Howard government's Fair Pay Commission.
MODERN AWARDS ARE NOW IN FORCE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
As part of the national workplace relations system, modern awards commenced operation on 1 January 2010. The new modern awards replace over 4000 private sector awards across the country.
Most modern awards contain transitional provisions which phase in any increases or decreases in wages, loadings and penalty rates over a five-year period. HSU members in the private sector will have their award safety nets provided one of the following new Modern Awards:
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Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2010 (MA000115)
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Aged Care Award 2010 (MA000018)
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Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2010 (MA000098)
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Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 (MA000027)
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Medical Practitioners Award 2010 (MA000031) Nurses Award 2010 (MA000034)
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Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (MA000100)
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Supported Employment Services Award 2010 (MA000103)
You can download a copy of the modern awards from the
