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Winter 2004

HACSU members save cancer treatments in Tasmania

HACSU members working in the crucial area of radiation therapy have saved a vital service for Tasmania.

When all looked lost, with staff leaving in numbers to go to work on the mainland, when it looked like Tasmanians seeking cancer treatments would only be able to access these treatments on the mainland, HACSU members made a breakthrough.

It took some real brinkmanship. HACSU members had to threaten to withdraw their labor unless better wages, conditions and a proper career structure were agreed to. Finally, the Government agreed.

According to the members working in this service, the agreement was a long time coming.

"We started discussing this issue with the agency way back in November 2002. It was a long battle. We believe it will help recruitment and retention of staff and decrease the waiting list for cancer patients," members said.

"We would like to say thanks to both the public and the media for being so supportive of our campaign."

HACSU Assistant State Secretary, Tim Jacobson, said the agreement was a great win/win situation.

"I think it would have been a terrible situation if people affected by cancer had to leave their family and friends and get treatment on the mainland."

"Apart from the extra expenses, when you've got cancer that's when you need your friends and family around for support."

"I would like to congratulate all the members for the way they stuck to their guns."

A series of negotiations for other health professional areas are currently underway.