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Summer 2004

Psychiatry on brink of Industrial Action at LGH over Security

HACSU members working in the Psychiatry Department at the LGH are poised to take industrial action after protracted negotiations with management failed to force management to undertake their responsibilities to provide a safe working environment.

Members in the Department of Psychiatry documented their concerns way back in 2001, at which time they were assured that better security measures would be put in place after a client put a chair threw the reception window.

In between times there has been an endless series of meetings, working parties, exchanges of letters, reviews, recommendations, establishing of priorities but nothing by way of action.

There has been a continuing series of incidents, and in more recent times, a patient threatened to come into the Department with a gun. In September of this year a HACSU member was threatened with a knife.

A full membership meeting was called, where a resolution was passed, as follows.

DUE TO THE LACK OF COMMITMENT BY MANAGEMENT IN REGARDS TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIORITISED RECOMMENDATIONS, STAFF ARE NOW REQUESTING THAT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS TABLED BY THE WORKING PARTY COMMENCE AS A MATTER OF URGENCY AND IF A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE IS NOT RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS 1 OCTOBER 2004 WORK BANS WILL COMMENCE.

Bans were suspended after management agreed to recommendations being implemented, and supplying HACSU members with a weekly update of progress.

HACSU members are monitoring their worksite and report back on progress being made.