Call the HACSU Helpline
1300 88 00 32

more info

Autumn 2003

Here we go Again

It’s not a recurring dream, or a series of flashbacks. For Mersey members, working for an organisation that is bought and sold then restructured is an everyday reality. It just seems to be a part of every working year.

This time, three hospitals in Tasmania - Mersey, Hobart Private and St Helens - have been sold by Mayne Health to Healthscope. Again all those familiar questions arise.

What will they want to restructure, how does this affect our job security, will my job stay the same, will my roster change?

In these circumstances, rumours abound. Already people are putting question marks over different departments.

This time, to meet the challenge, HACSU members are putting in new structures to help build union membership and organizational strength.

Worksite Committees have been established in all hospitals, where all areas of the workplace will be represented and a range of HACSU representatives will always be available on-site for members to approach.

The idea is to build the union's presence, ensure wages and conditions are maintained, and nobody's rights are trampled on during the transition period.

HACSU representatives on the Worksite Committee will receive specialised training to improve their advocacy skills.

The HACSU Worksite Committees are looking forward to developing a good working relationship with the new management and to get some of the outstanding issues sorted out.

Many ordinary HACSU members are, in fact, pleased to see a changeover.

As one member who did not want to be named put it "Nobody could be worse than the Mayne management."

"How could it get worse?

From a nursing point of view there was one nurse on duty one day who had 18 acute patients. That's just the way Mayne worked. Mayne were the worst."

HACSU North West Industrial Organiser, Shane Littler, said he believed it was very important for members to be organised.

"We are approaching this from a positive point of view. Mayne clearly never wanted the Mersey. The took it as part of a package and have offloaded as soon as the terms of the agreement expired."

"Mayne also had a very nationally centralised system of decision making which frustrated quick resolution of problems."

"Healthscope have wanted this facility for some time and we are hoping they will look at it from a long term development perspective."

"They need to be looking at building the morale of the workforce and that doesn't mean trying to penny pinch, create insecurity and drive down wages and conditions."

"If HACSU members are well organised through their Worksite Committee and we get a positive new management I'm hopeful we can get some of the outstanding issues sorted out."

"I would say to members don't spend too much time talking about all the rumours flying around. Instead, spend time talking to co-workers who aren't members and persuade them to join up."

"The best way we can protect ourselves in these circumstances is have everyone in the union and be well organised."

HACSU officials have reached agreement with Mayne management that all existing employees will receive written confirmation of their current classification and entitlements, which will then transfer to Healthscope in a transition of business agreement which has been registered with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

Any anomalies within letters from Mayne to employees are to be investigated immediately.

Members have been urged to carefully check their details in the letters and not to sign any new agreements before checking with the union.